From Arsenal to the Ball God

”His performance stats this season aren’t as good as Ma’el’s, but his reputation precedes him; Deschamps would face a lot of pressure if he didn’t use him.”

Safina also looked at the list beside him, holding a different opinion, ”Ribery is more of an organizer, isn’t he? He’s also played right-wing before, he can definitely coexist with Ma’el.

”I think that’s highly likely. Just look at the forwards called up this time, besides Ribery, who else is Ma’el’s competition?”

She knows football, having worked in the football world for many years. Her understanding and knowledge of football surpass that of most people.

Moreover, as Ma’el’s physiotherapist and nutritionist, being someone close to him, Safina knows Ma’el well, ”We’re not in the Championship anymore, Ma’el is steadily becoming a top-tier player.

”Even though his experience in top-level matches is limited, from the moment he stepped onto the field, he has continually challenged people’s perceptions.

”I don’t think Deschamps will bench either him or Ribery. He might put one on the left and the other on the right.”

Ma’el didn’t chat with them about it; he walked over to the group, took the phone from Jose’s hand, and browsed the news about Deschamps’ appointment and the current training squad list for the France team.

”Deschamps moved fast.”

This surprised him a bit because he remembered Deschamps seemed to take over after this European Cup, ”Did Marseille just let him go like that?”

The others looked at him, and when they saw he wasn’t joking, they all tried to hold back their laughter.

Moved fast?

Left Marseille?

”Didn’t you pay attention to the Champions League group stage standings?” Safina brought up the Champions League standings, came beside Ma’el, and laughed, ”Marseille already hit rock bottom; even Olympiacos is ahead of them on goal difference.

”They can’t recover their goal difference, destined to be at the bottom after six rounds, making progression from the group stage very difficult.”

”Ah...” Ma’el couldn’t help but pause for a few seconds, seemingly this matter indeed had a connection to him.

Is this perhaps an early setup for a good destiny, kicking Deschamps onto the stage most suitable for him to show his skills?

If so, Deschamps likely holds a very profound impression of him; he completed the goal set before the Marseille match with flying colors.

”Pack up your things then.”

Jose came over and hugged him, congratulating, ”November 9th, you’re off to report to the France team, another monumental moment in your career.

”When the four of us chat, we often talk about hoping you’d stand on the international stage of the European Cup or World Cup.... now, this idea is already halfway realized.”

”It’s still early.” Ma’el wasn’t in a hurry, he smiled as he walked into the room, ”Let’s first cross the hurdle of promoted Norwich next round, then consider the national team matters.”

”Impatient.” Safina laughed at Jose, and with her brother Harry, she walked into Ma’el’s room; it’s time for another physiotherapy session.

This has become a habit for Ma’el, happening 2-3 times daily, depending on the day’s training intensity.

...

On November 8th, the day before the national team match day, the 12th round of the Premier League arrived.

Arsenal’s opponent this round is the promoted Norwich City, nicknamed the Canaries, led this season by the veteran coach Neil, they’ve been doing well, ranked as one of the best among the promoted teams.

They are currently 9th in the league, though lacking standout performances against the big teams, they’ve displayed stable damaging abilities against the lower and mid-table Premier League sides, often securing 3 points.

At Carrow Road Stadium, with nearly an hour until kickoff, many fans were already in their seats.

Norwich placed special importance on today’s game; due to the relatively small stadium size, scalper tickets outside have soared to 450 pounds each, with some people getting fleeced for 700 pounds just to get in.

In the hearts of these fans, this wasn’t just a match against a big club, but also a reunion with an ’old friend’.

Leon Maerel, who last season, in the 44th round of the Championship, with a strike, ended Queens Park Rangers and propelled them into the Premier League, is treading on Carrow Road Stadium again today!

”The Canaries’ 12th man!”

Some Norwich fans played along with the joke they had at the end of last season, sparking a wave among the other fans.

”He should have a share of the promotion bonus; he should attend the team’s celebration banquet.”

”Hahaha..... Ma’el doesn’t come, the whole Norwich team can’t even lift their glasses.”

”I hated him for over half a season, but at that last moment, I fell in love with him!”

”I remember many people followed his Facebook account at the time and even gave him small rewards.”

”Today’s ticket prices being so high is largely because of him; many Canary fans left messages on social media, saying they didn’t properly thank him last season, and want to make up for it this time.”

”Haha, interesting! But don’t overdo it; he’s still our opponent today.”

”Who would’ve thought, that brilliant kid last season would gradually grow into a star.”

In the end, even as Ma’el’s old adversaries, they felt a tinge of sentimentality, marveling at how fast everything happened.

It’s not that time has flown by, but that Ma’el has moved fast; so much has changed during the time they’ve been apart.

In the Norwich locker room, last season’s core players Hulahan and goalkeeper Rudy sat together, changing clothes and shoes.

They are among the few who still make the starting lineup this season, slowly building a much stronger relationship.

”Do you still remember that guy?”

Hulahan flipped up the heel with his finger, asking, ”Did he score against your goal?”