From Arsenal to the Ball God

”You could say, he will definitely set the new season at the Emirates Stadium on fire, just wait and see!”

His wife stood beside him, her face glowing too, she spoke more, ”And he’s a really good person, he reached out to us today, he didn’t forget our invitation.”

Hans’ parents, uncle, and aunt stood together, along with some friends and neighbors, watching the approaching Ferrari with excitement.

”Stars always live in mansions and drive sports cars, look at his style, will he look down on the house?”

”Probably not.”

”I often see his videos and news on Twitter, I think his fan base has already surpassed 3 million, he’s a very popular young player!”

”Hans is impressive, did you really train him, or are you just boasting to us?”

”He must have played in Hans’ team, otherwise how would Hans know him... he’s here, after dinner let’s get several group photos.”

Ma’el’s car slowly parked by the roadside, he stepped out, closed the car door, and locked it, spreading his arms toward Hans.

”Setting off today, right?”

Hans quickly stepped forward, his pride evident, he could already imagine the expressions on his family’s faces behind him.

Luckily, he was a kind person and noticed Ma’el’s sneakers were coming apart that day, generously lending him a pair out of goodwill.

Otherwise, how could he have this chance to shine in front of his friends and family!

”Yes.” Ma’el hugged him briefly and smiled, ”We’ll set out in the afternoon and reach Newcastle City by night.”

”Please come in!”

Hans warmly gestured forward, leading Ma’el inside, and asked his wife to guide their friends and family into the house.

Ma’el nodded at Hans’ wife and followed him into his home, which was about 150 square meters with a large living room and a long table already set with fruits and various grilled meats and vegetables.

It was evident that they had prepared carefully over the past hour.

Ma’el followed Hans’ guidance and took a seat, his wife and friends settled at the long table, looking a bit reserved, though smiles were exchanged and the atmosphere felt slightly awkward.

”Coach Hans once helped me.”

Finally, it was Ma’el who spoke first, breaking the silence, not embarrassed to recount his past awkwardness, ”Back then, I was about to be dropped by Arsenal, at a low point in my life, unsure if I should continue playing soccer.

My sneakers were falling apart, but I didn’t have the money to buy new ones, so Coach Hans lent me a pair.

I wore those sneakers until I went to Sheffield United, you could say they helped establish my career, hahaha...”

The day before representing Arsenal, he recalled those times, feeling nostalgic about how quickly time had flown.

”Hans has always been kind.”

”Yes, since he was fourteen or fifteen... that’s how he’s been, by then he’d passed his mischievous phase.”

”It was years ago, I still remember when our whole family first went to Highbury Stadium to watch a game, haha...”

Everyone at the table finally began to chat, they weren’t too familiar with each other, so they followed Ma’el’s lead and talked about Hans, which stirred up many of their own memories.

Hans was busy arranging food and wine, hearing Ma’el bring up this topic and listening to his friends compliment him, his face was instantly glowing, even serving dishes felt invigorating.

What was the feeling like?

It was as if every youth coach, from the first day they started training, had fantasized about experiencing such a day.

A player they personally trained slowly grew into a star, yet still remained down to earth with you... even though their identities and social classes had diverged completely, they could still sit together happily chatting.

”Take a look.”

Hans finished serving dishes and took those sneakers off a high shelf, presenting them to everyone with a laugh, ”Ma’el once asked if he could buy this pair for ten thousand pounds, I said nope.”

”These sneakers must be kept well,” his wife took a drink and raised an eyebrow, ”Who knows, their value might, in the future, let us exchange them for a house.”

Everyone laughed together, Ma’el smiled too, not minding if Hans sells the sneakers later, he deliberately wrote that line to increase their value.

Should Hans sell them, the money would be seen as repaying the kindness from back then.

”Definitely wait a bit longer.”

Ma’el looked at Hans, jokingly said, ”When they reach their highest value, make a watchful sale.”

”When do you think will be the highest point?” Hans sat next to Ma’el, followed his joke to inquire.

”The Grand Slam moment,” Ma’el spread his hands and raised eyebrows, humorously sharing his true thoughts, making everyone laugh again.

”Alright, I’ll wait.”

Hans raised a glass of red wine and toasted with everyone, ”To Ma’el’s Grand Slam.”

After lunch, Ma’el glanced at the time and realized it was already two o’clock; he bid farewell to Hans and stepped out of the house.

Everyone came out to see him off, many held up phones, capturing photos with him.

”Thanks to Ma’el!”

”And thanks to Hans!”

”Hans, tomorrow I’ll buy you a drink.”

The friends were thrilled to have shared a meal with a soccer star, cheering Ma’el and Hans while praising them vigorously.

Hans felt nearly unsteady from all the praise, his whole body lightened, his smile unwavering.

”Good luck!”

Hans waved goodbye to Ma’el, saying, ”Can’t make it to the away game, but I’ll watch every match back at the Emirates Stadium.”