From Arsenal to the Ball God

The sky was a bit dark at the moment, and the night lights of Emirates Stadium illuminated the surrounding area..... Even on non-match days, many tourists and fans headed to the fan shop.

When the vehicle drove parallel to the front of the stadium, Ma’el leaned against the window, carefully observing the third largest stadium in all of England.

Watching it constantly shift sideways and recede from his sight, thinking about how it was the place that would lead him to the center of the world football stage, Ma’el couldn’t help but feel his heart surge with excitement, turning his head back continuously.

After longing for so long, finally returning to London, heading here!

He could already imagine himself playing football inside, thinking of the awe when more than sixty thousand fans filled the seats on match days.

He would begin his four-pronged journey here in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup.

To compete in the same events as those top players in the world, vying for the final champion trophy, striving for the best crown!

”It’s beautiful.”

Gilbert, next to him, was either admiring the exterior or imagining what it would be like to play here.

”I will conquer it.” Ma’el smiled slightly, saying something a bit arrogant, having no reservations between the two of them.

”I will too.”

Gilbert momentarily set aside the pressure of competition and worries, simply imagining the future, ”I want to win the Champions League here.”

”Together.”

Ma’el turned around, eagerly high-fiving him, then turned back, watching until it disappeared from sight.

Looking forward again, he truly couldn’t wait.

......

At five in the afternoon, Ma’el and Gilbert parted ways in the city center, with the latter going to find a hotel to stay in first.

Ma’el, meanwhile, went to a predetermined location to meet with Pepeño, who had been entrusted by Mendes to find a house for him.

The two had met before; Pepeño was likely responsible for Mendes’s business in the United Kingdom, handling all important matters given to him.

”Long time no see.”

Pepeño, driving an Audi sedan, greeted Ma’el as he got in the car and laughed and sighed, ”I never thought you’d achieve such success now and return to Arsenal in such style.

”That day when signing the contract, I originally thought I would be responsible for all your business in the United Kingdom. Unexpectedly, since then, Mr. Mendes has been coming to the UK more frequently, handling almost all your affairs personally.

”What he left to me were only chores like finding a house, really makes one emotional, haha....”

Ma’el still remembered he was French, speaking to him in French, thinking he now knew three languages.

After a brief chat, the vehicle started moving, with Pepeño planning to show him houses in the area.

”Mr. Mendes told me your requirements, and I’ve chosen three properties, taking you first to see the best one.”

As he drove with one hand, Pepeño handed several photos to Ma’el with the other, introducing, ”This house is one of the most luxurious houses in North London, with an annual rent reaching 650,000 pounds.”

Ma’el looked up at him, puzzled, and asked, ”Did Mr. Mendes miscommunicate something? I just need a large space with many rooms, not the most expensive one.”

An annual rent of 650,000 pounds is absolutely a sky-high rent in this era..... more than 10,000 pounds a week.

”Don’t be in a hurry.”

Pepeño guessed his reaction, smiling, ”Take a look at the photos first, this is absolutely the most suitable house for you, even if you consider the sky-high rent, it is most appropriate, otherwise, I wouldn’t have put it first.”

Ma’el opened the photos of the property, flipping the first page, instantly captivated by the size of it.

So big... that was his first reaction, followed by admiration for the surrounding spaciousness and beautiful greenery, seeing it as a place that would bring comfort and pleasure from the pictures.

”This mansion has a total of four floors, over twenty rooms, nine bathrooms, and seven toilets.”

Pepeño’s voice came with the introduction, very patient: ”Additionally, it has a luxury spa, large swimming pool, large gym, private cinema, treatment room, and observation deck, among others.”

With so many functions..... Ma’el was somewhat moved. Although the rent was expensive, the complete facilities would save him a lot of future investments.

He turned to the second page, seeing the interior decoration and style of the villa, both of which satisfied him.

The open space in front of the first floor could even be laid out as a grass field for practice, while passing and dribbling training would certainly not be a problem.

”Mr. Mendes said.”

Pepeño continued the introduction, ”This is the most suitable place for football players, especially those who hold high standards for themselves; they can complete most of their training and all physical therapy recovery here.”

”Alright.”

Ma’el handed the photos back to Pepeño, realizing the house didn’t seem that expensive now, ”Let’s go take a look, if satisfied, no need to see the other two.”

Pepeño tilted his head slightly, giving a thumbs up to Ma’el, as if praising his decisiveness.

He mentioned something else, ”And one more thing, you should be about to get your third salary raise, so this rent isn’t something to worry about.”

”Hmm.” Ma’el now indeed found it worthwhile, though he hadn’t planned to rent something so luxurious, needing some time to accept it mentally.

Over ten minutes later, the two entered this luxurious villa together.

At this moment, Ma’el realized that photographs couldn’t show the grandeur of such a large villa; it’s the close viewing that provides the real awe.