From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Is that Ma’el?”

”The one who fought with Fabregas?”

”So young!”

”Well done, mate!”

Walking on the street, a few more fans recognized him, but it was apparent they knew him through Fabregas.

Ma’el waved to them, making them beam with surprise, seemingly not expecting an Arsenal player to greet them actively.

”Our Guoan Team...”

As he reached the entrance of the Worker’s Stadium, remembering it’s the home ground of Guoan, a catchy tune popped into Ma’el’s mind, making him smile slightly.

After that, his expression gradually became serious as he realized that the toughest match of his career so far was about to begin!

......

”CCTV! CCTV!”

At 3:25 PM, inside the broadcasting room of the Worker’s Stadium, the famous commentator of CCTV-5, Shen Fangjian, was already in position to provide commentary for the fans watching the match.

In these past two years, CCTV has obtained broadcasting rights for many preseason warm-up matches of elite teams...

On one hand, it’s cheap; on the other, it boosts the fans’ enthusiasm before the season starts.

The football rights market has been losing money every year, and the number of paying fans hasn’t increased. It’s becoming difficult for Chinese fans to watch the five major leagues.

”You are now watching the match between Bayern Munich and Arsenal, with both teams’ players about to appear for the pre-match ceremony!

”Let’s look at the starting lineup of the two teams, Bayern Munich’s coach Heynckes has set up a 4-3-3 formation today.

”Goalkeeper Neuer, right-back Raphinha, center-backs Badstuber and Boateng, left-back is their captain Lam.

”The midfielders from left to right are Schweinsteiger, Gustavo, Toni Kroos.

”At the front is the tall center-forward Mario Gomez, with Thomas Mueller on the left and Robben on the right.”

”...”

”On Arsenal’s side, they’ve also adopted a 4-3-3 formation today, with goalkeeper Szczeny, and defenders from left to right: Gibbs, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Sagna.

”Three midfielders, with Alexander Song positioned further back, flanked by Rosicky and Ramsey.

”Center-forward Van Persie, the left winger is the Championship’s best player, top scorer, assist king, the prodigious talent just returned from loan at Sheffield United, Ma’el, who just turned 18!

”The right winger is Gervinho, whom they bought from Lille Team for 12 million Euros.”

Shen Fangjian scrolls through the documents, finishes introducing both teams’ starting lineup, and laughs, ”Both sides are basically playing with their main lineup, and have featured several new signings. Let’s eagerly anticipate this exciting match that is about to start!”

......

In the players’ tunnel of Worker’s Stadium, both teams’ players, accompanied by young mascots, await to enter the pitch, the atmosphere extremely tense.

Ma’el stands near the front of the lineup; as the club has not yet fixed the jersey number, he temporarily wears number 31, his birth date.

As it turns out, today is also his 18th birthday... On such a significant day, having the opportunity to compete with top teams on the pitch is indeed a blessing.

Ma’el looks to the left, spotting countless familiar faces among Bayern’s ranks, all European Football superstars.

Little Flying Hero Robben, ’Young General’ Mueller, recently transferred Neuer, young Toni Kroos, and Lam, the legendary captain known for his small stature yet immense vitality.

”Whew.....”

His breathing becomes rapid, and as he glimpses at the lush green field outside, there’s a longing in his eyes.

Thinking about sharing the pitch with these stars, he can’t hold back his excitement; his legs slightly trembling.

It’s been over a year since he came into this world, and he finally steps into the center of the world’s football stage, starting to gain opportunities to face top players!

At this moment, he feels all the agonizing and painful training before were immensely worthwhile.

He stands in the position he once most wanted, playing soccer alongside the people he once watched on TV!

”Beep!”

The referee blows the whistle for the entrance, players from both teams, leading the mascots, enter the field and soon arrive inside Worker’s Stadium.

”Wow.....!” The Worker’s Stadium, which can accommodate nearly 80,000 fans witnessing the match together, is filled to capacity. As the fans see the stars emerging from the tunnel, they explode with thunderous cheers.

This is the loudest Ma’el has ever heard, truly deafening, overwhelming, as if the stadium’s ground is shaking.

Though fans of both teams are mixed in their seating and lack collective cheering tactical harmony, sheer yelling creates a ground-shaking wave of sound!

”Whew.....” Ma’el adjusts his breath again, even before the match begins, his emotions have already reached a peak.

He looks around the stadium, sees fans on the stands energetically waving their hands, notices Wenger walking towards the coaching area with a serious expression, and spots Bayern stars hopping for their last warm-up exercises.

Glancing at the lush green field ahead, feeling the soft stride beneath, he longs to close his eyes to savor this dream-come-true feeling.

”Go for it!”

”Enjoy the game.”

”Good luck.”

”You too.”

Before realizing it, they are already at the final preparation phase, Bayern’s players line up and walk over. They shake hands and exchange encouragement.

Ma’el watches as familiar and clear faces quickly pass by, gradually immersing himself in a state of readiness for the match.

He stops thinking about anything else, he can savor all these moments later; right now, it’s about calming himself and preparing for the battle!