From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 270: Chapter 84: Champions League Man of the Match! See You on the Field in the Future! Skills Upgraded! (Part 2)

”Those must be wonderful days. I’m looking forward to seeing the championship fireworks and to fireworks filling the sky.”

When asked about the goals for this season in the Champions League, he thought for a long time before replying: ”In my first year here, the priority is to adapt. I hope to engage with strong teams from various countries.

”Specific goals will depend on the team’s condition and my ability at the time. I hope to push forward as much as possible.”

”.....”

”Have you thought about how many goals you want to score in this stadium? Throughout your career?”

”I hope to score in the three digits.”

”Why not four digits?”

”Haha.....!”

After the interview, Ma’el returned to the locker room and celebrated with his teammates for a while.

He then went up to the box area of the stadium and found Isabella and Gilbert, who had been waiting for him.

”My friend is a big star.” Isabella warmly spread her arms, choosing a novel-like opening line.

Ma’el walked up with a smile and said as he hugged Isabella, ”Then... is my friend a lady of fortune?”

”Should be a boss.”

Isabella raised her head, somewhat proudly: ”Don’t forget, your endorsement with my brand isn’t over yet.”

At this point, she remembered something, ”I heard from Mendes that you signed with Puma? I don’t have a problem with it, but would Puma mind?

”Would their non-compete agreement include our kind of small sports brand?”

”Probably not.”

Ma’el hadn’t thought about this, but he wasn’t worried, ”If they minded, they should have mentioned it to me long ago.

”There’s no real competition relationship, and since I have a contract with them, if they wanted to secure me earlier, they wouldn’t nitpick over this.”

”That’s good.” Isabella nodded, smiling, and patted Ma’el with a smile that held a few complex shades, ”In the future, there might be no money to sign a big star like you; you’re becoming famous too fast.

”But thinking about it, being friends with someone like you isn’t bad either. I’ll quietly support you.”

Ma’el reached out and high-fived her, considering both the first substantial endorsement and as the daughter of Sheffield’s owner; Isabella still held a major place in his heart.

Besides, he hardly attended parties or social events at the moment. Apart from Safina, Isabella was his only female friend.

Looking at Isabella’s face, he sincerely said, ”I hope your brand grows bigger and bigger. You mentioned wanting to buy a football team; I actually want the same.

”If I retire in the future and have a lot of money, I’ll buy a team to experience the feeling of being a club owner. Haha... who knows, I might even pick up the coaching role, and our teams might meet on the field.”

”It’s interesting to think about.” Isabella looked hopeful, leaning on the railing and looking at the Westfalen Stadium, said: ”Hmm... thanks to your rapidly rising fame, the company will grow bigger and bigger.

”It’s fortunate to have met you during the startup period and having the courage to sign an endorsement deal with you.

”After the most difficult first year, the future path will be much smoother, with you taking it from zero to one.”

”You two.....” Gilbert, who had been standing next to them, was less excited and helplessly said, ”Are you going to talk here?”

”Haha.” Ma’el laughed and shook his head, then walked over to his good brother and hugged him, ”You’ve been quiet, keeping a low profile.”

”Tsk.....”

Gilbert clicked his tongue, looking at Ma’el, wearing a wet Arsenal shirt, and for once, seriously said: ”Luckily, I went to Sheffield United with you and became friends there.

”Otherwise, I’d be afraid of being sidelined by a big shot like you when I return to the team in the future.”

”How could that be?”

Ma’el smiled as he put his arm around Gilbert, then hooked Isabella’s arm, with a hint of mischief, pointing to the field: ”Look, what’s that?”

”What?”

”I can’t see.”

”That’s the kingdom your king has conquered for you.” Ma’el’s expression was bold as he gestured at the grand field.

Isabella: ”...”

Gilbert: ”...”

”It’s been a few months and your joke level hasn’t improved, but you’ve added a bit of awkwardness.” Gilbert commented sharply, not holding back.

”But my skills have improved.”

Ma’el didn’t mind; he just wanted to play a cringy joke on the two of them.

He patted his chest and turned to leave, ”See you in London, the team has to gather and set off.”

Watching his confident back, Gilbert shook his head, unsure what to say.

”Actually, kind of.” Isabella suddenly asked, her eyes always on the number on Ma’el’s back.

Thinking about how he was dominating the field in that jersey and then looking at the person so close now... she felt a bit of a disconnect, but a kind of fascinating disconnect.

”What?”

Gilbert initially didn’t know what Isabella meant, but upon realizing, rolled his eyes: ”...”

Was he part of their role-play? Who are these people around him?

”Just kidding.”

Isabella giggled mischievously, teasing: ”I didn’t get a chance to get back at Ma’el for teasing me earlier, so I’ll get back at you.”

...

Ma’el boarded the charter flight back to London that night. There was no need to stay another day.

Late at night, he returned home and opened his social media to check the reactions to the match.

He wasn’t the most trending topic; Ronaldo, Messi, Di Maria, who scored the winning goal, and Villa, with the overhead goal, occupied the media headlines.