From Arsenal to the Ball God

Blue Moon fans... hold on for a few more years, your Pep Guardiola will soon arrive, and the Premier League will enter a new era.

After watching for a while, he took out his phone and constantly refreshed social media, wanting to see the Torino Sports Paper announce the winner of the Golden Boy Award.

He knew this was pointless; once the news was released, his phone would vibrate instantly, and countless people would send him congratulatory messages... but he couldn’t stop himself from swiping his finger.

Van Persie glanced at him and smiled, asking, ”Waiting for the Golden Boy Award? Is there still suspense... what’s the rush?”

”Who wouldn’t be anxious at this time?”

Arteta turned around from the front row, staring at Ma’el’s phone screen, saying, ”Not just him, I’m a bit anxious too, wanting to see the results sooner.

”I’ve never had a teammate win such an important personal achievement... Barcelona doesn’t count; I’m not familiar with the first team there, I’m from the earlier generation of La Masia’s products.”

”Still not out?”

Many people turned their heads, curious about the results, ”I thought Ma’el had already been confirmed to win the Golden Boy Award.”

”Not yet.” Ma’el shook his head, seeing many people paying attention to him, and put down his phone.

Even when the bus entered Etihad Stadium, he hadn’t received any news... he could only set this aside for the time being and follow the team to warm up first.

The interior of Etihad Stadium is very beautiful; the Manchester City fans have turned most of the stands blue, countless blue or white flags waving in the wind, creating a sense of great pressure.

Ma’el glanced a few times but didn’t feel like appreciating it; he warmed up with the team, returned to the locker room afterward, and took out his phone, finding still no news.

Not announced yet!

A touch of regret appeared on his face; he lowered his head to wear his shin pads, probably would have to wait until after the match.

Then there’s no rush, clear out the last strong opponent before the half season and defeat Manchester City at Etihad!

...

”Hello, viewers. Welcome to the Premier League’s 16th round focus battle, in this match, the top team Arsenal visits Etihad, facing the third-ranked Manchester City!

”I’m commentator Zhan Jun, and next to me is my partner Zhang Lu, guiding us! We will be commentating on this match together!”

”Hehe...”

”The players from both sides have already been waiting in the player tunnel; let’s take a look at their starting lineup. The home team, Manchester City, is set up in a 4-4-2 formation, with goalkeeper Joe Hart, center-backs Kompany alongside Kolo Toure.

”The full-backs are Richards and Sabaleta, midfielders Yaya Toure and Barry in the center, David Silva and Nasri on the wings!

”Up front, Aguero partners Balotelli, with Dzeko waiting on the bench.”

Zhan Jun finished speaking, Zhang Lu quickly chimed in, jokingly, ”People often say the attacking line needs one tall and one fast, but Balotelli seems to embody both traits all by himself, except sometimes his mind doesn’t keep up.

”Playing Aguero there seems to supplement his football IQ... I quite enjoy this duo, and I believe Mancini has his arrangements.”

His apprehension of football tactics is actually very high, but during commentary, he focuses primarily on the fun aspect, not wanting it to be too dull.

This moment, the broadcast focuses on Ma’el standing in the player tunnel, and remains on him for quite a while.

”If I’m not mistaken, today is the day the Golden Boy Award results are announced.”

Zhan Jun quickly said in a hoarse voice, ”But up till now we haven’t heard any news; we cannot directly claim the person in front of the camera is this year’s Golden Boy recipient.”

”However, we can hint,” Zhang Lu guided seamlessly, with joy, ”Today’s match is very likely the first time for the Golden Boys from ’07, ’10, ’11 to compete together!”

Zhan Jun nodded, adding, ”They actually clashed in the last English League Cup match, but neither side was at their best; this match is the real showdown.”

”Indeed... I mean, Ma’el is likely to receive the news about winning the Golden Boy Award during the match, which feels more deserved.” Zhang Lu compensates, having said ”first” earlier.

Broadcasting moved away from Ma’el shortly after but quickly went back to him for some reason.

At the same time, a voice reached the headphones of both commentators from backstage, ”The news has been announced! The player has confirmed to win the 2011 Golden Boy Award! Torino Sports Paper just sent out!”

...

”Ma’el!”

In the player tunnel, Ma’el was looking at the interior of Etihad Stadium, when he heard a joyous call from behind.

He turned around to see Koscielny holding a phone rushing out; he wasn’t playing today and was still wearing the substitute vest.

”Golden Boy Award!”

Koscielny held up the phone, shouting, ”You’ve won it!”

Ma’el turned sharply, just about to say something, when several substitute players came running out of the locker room, even Mr. Wenger smiled while approaching from afar.

Turning around, he soon saw all staff holding phones smiling at him, nodding and congratulating him.

”Buzz buzz...” The Arsenal traveling fan section outside suddenly erupted into commotion, slowly turning to mighty cheers, ”Aahh.....!”

He won!

Ma’el finally confirmed winning the Golden Boy Award; he never imagined hearing the news in the player tunnel.

”Congrats, brother!” Van Persie soon came over, giving him a hug, ”We are proud of you!”

”Ma’el! Ma’el!”

Arteta raised his hands, indicating everyone to chant together, but nobody followed him, leading to him awkwardly lowering his hand, laughing dryly: ”Haha... I can only say I’m very jealous.”

”Ding dong ding dong...!” Sagna swayed singing his ’Song of Ma’el,’ stepped forward to hug Ma’el.

Ma’el was enveloped in joy at this moment, with his feelings rising with every congratulatory hug he received.

Golden Boy Award!

The first major individual honor of his life!

It’s really here!

”Thank you.”

He expressed gratitude to everyone congratulating him; this was a beautiful moment, one to remember for a lifetime.

Without the Golden Boy Award, even if he won the Grand Slam, he’d always feel something was missing.

Luckily, he achieved this crucial accolade at eighteen!

Players within Manchester City glanced over too, having learned of Ma’el’s award news.

Nasri’s eyes briefly revealed disappointment, as if he was a contender for the Golden Boy Award.....though he had long exceeded the age limit, he just disliked seeing someone he didn’t favor gain recognition.

”Congratulations!”

But most Manchester City players were not bad; their captain Kompany was first to walk over and congratulate Ma’el; they’d met once during a national team match.

”Keep it up.” Aguero also came over, the forward smiled, ”You and I plus Balotelli, there will be three Golden Boy Award winners on the pitch today; it’s quite rare.”

”It should be yours.” Balotelli also walked up smiling, appearing to have shaken off the shadow of the prior match.

Ma’el shook hands and hugged them; receiving congratulations from opponents... was certainly a wonderful experience; his excitement and fulfillment were palpable.

”Kid.”

Mr. Wenger came over now, open arms encouraging Ma’el, ”It can only be said, this award is deserving of the one who trained relentlessly at the Korni Base, it is the best reward for you.

”I am happy for you, and more confident that you’ll reach great heights, keep going.”

Ma’el nodded firmly after separating from Wenger, he strode boldly onto Etihad Stadium.

He was full of energy, vowing to showcase a perfect performance as the new Golden Boy winner!

”Ding dong ding dong! I have a friend!”

”He’s speeding down the sideline...!”

The Arsenal’s fan section broke into neat and powerful singing at this moment, their voices celebrating Ma’el, recognizing the team’s Golden Boy.

Ma’el waved towards them along the way, the smile lingering on his lips.

After completing the pre-match ceremony, standing in his position, he felt everything in the stadium had changed, as if everything was anew.

No, the only change was him, he had a brand new identity, a brand new path!