From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Gilbert! Don’t feel dim just because the sun is too bright!”

”You’ll never walk alone!”

But no matter what, this was a farewell gift they had prepared long ago, each word penned after much consideration, expressing their truest emotions.

Looking at the sincere farewell messages, the two of them were immediately moved, the impact of this scene was very strong for them.

”It was worth coming.”

Gilbert’s face slowly turned red, his emotions were very stirred, tears almost welling up in his eyes, ”Ma’el, it was worth coming!”

”Of course it was.”

Ma’el looked down, seeing many fathers carrying their young sons and daughters on their shoulders, holding up farewell messages with bewildered expressions, extremely adorable.

He told Gilbert, ”What we’ve left with Sheffield United will always remain, passed down for generations.”

After saying this, he turned around to face the Sheffield United players and coaching staff members who had long been prepared to say farewell. Even though they would likely meet again in the Premier League next year, their jerseys and circumstances would be different.

”Ma’el.”

Janu was the first to come up, shaking his head reluctantly, they were the most in-sync attacking partners, ”Good luck, I’m waiting for the day you win the Grand Slam, haha...”

The two hugged briefly, then Janu walked over to Gilbert, they had been partners for a season, sharing a deep bond.

”Ma’el!”

Evans came up, embracing Ma’el, unwilling to let go, patting Ma’el’s back repeatedly, his face filled with nostalgia.

In the past, they would only embrace like this when they scored a goal, but in the future, this would most likely not happen anymore.

Evans finally increased his force, hugging Ma’el tightly before releasing him, ”When you go to Arsenal, give it your all, don’t disgrace us.”

He left behind a carefree remark and turned away with a smile.

”Good luck!”

”Waiting for the day you become a superstar.”

”When we meet next season, I’ll have to defend against you one-on-one, hahaha...”

”Since you’ve broken the Championship’s scoring record, you might as well break Alan Shearer and Andy Cole’s records in the Premier League!”

”You’re asking too much of him, haha, but he’s still young, I believe in him!”

Ma’el embraced other Sheffield United players, exchanging blessings, the feelings of reluctance growing stronger.

Garrispeed was the second-to-last to come up, they hadn’t exchanged many words during the championship celebration, and now finally had a chance.

”Mr. Speed.”

Ma’el looked into his eyes, noticing that the usual despondency was gone, ”If you are still leading Sheffield United next year, then see you in the Premier League, I hope you can guide this team well.”

”I hope so too.”

Garrispeed sighed, coming up to squeeze Ma’el’s arm, exclaiming, ”These shoulders now carry the expectations and hopes of many, don’t feel too pressured.

”As a former Premier League player who just made numerous appearances, there’s nothing much I can advise to a talented player like you.

”The only piece of experience I have is, sometimes when you’re hesitating and indecisive, think less, focus on doing what you should do, keep moving forward, keep moving forward, rest when you’re tired, resume once you recover.

”Someday, you’ll reach the shore you desire, even if your state of mind changes by then, but at least you’ll have accomplished it.”

”So many people are proud of you, encountering you at the start of my coaching career is my blessing, good luck! I’ll often come to London to see you.”

As he said this, he lowered his head, smiling, ”Speaking of which, you’ve helped me resolve a matter, let’s stick to our usual norm and place a bet.”

Ma’el, hearing this, had a guess, but he still asked with a smile, ”What’s the bet?”

Garrispeed pondered, then lifted his head, ”If you win the Premier League championship, I’ll personally tell you a secret I’ve never told anyone.”

”Sure.”

Ma’el happily accepted, giving him a final high-five, ”I’ll wait for that day.”

Jorson was the last to come up, during the trip when he sent Ma’el back, he was doing fine, but now seemed a bit awkward.

”Mr. Jorson.”

Ma’el took the initiative to step forward and give Jorson a customary hug, this scout who discovered him, who sent him a ’valuation card’ before the start of the season, naturally holds a special place in his heart.

He recalled when he first arrived, and smiled as he said, ”I’ve given it my all.”

He didn’t bring up Gilbert, leaving it for him to talk to Jorson later.

”Alright.” Jorson’s reply was simple, but his eyes turned blurry from a sudden wave of emotion, feeling as if something was about to fall.

After bidding farewell to everyone, Ma’el took a deep breath, picked up a bottle of beer, taking a sip, and exclaimed, ”That was quite exhausting.”

As the bus drove southeast, resuming the celebratory parade, the atmosphere became lively again.

Ma’el moved to the railing, looking at the fans still holding up farewell messages, then at the gradually fading Bramall Lane Stadium in the distance.

He swung his right arm, waving goodbye to the fans, ”Bye! I love you all!!”

”Bye!! Ma’el!!”

”Kedao’Er asked me to tell you that if you come to Sheffield, your drinks are on him! Not just him, his son will pay too!”

”Ma’el, we’re waiting for you in Bramall Lane wearing your home team jersey!”

Ma’el turned around, no longer looking at the scene behind him, noticing Gilbert slightly trembling nearby, but he didn’t go over to comfort him, only looking forward.

Southeast, that’s the direction of London!

This time, he was really going back!