From Arsenal to the Ball God

Ma’el greeted everyone along the way and only started noticing who was sitting beside him after reaching his seat.

The excitement of the scene made it impossible for him to concentrate, and all his remaining attention was dedicated to experiencing his first Golden Ball Award Ceremony; nothing else could divide his attention.

”Hello.”

As he sat down, Neymar, with his golden quiff hairstyle, smiled and extended his hand to him, ”I watched that nominated goal, losing to you and Rooney doesn’t make me feel bad.”

”Haha...” Ma’el recognized he was referring to the Puskás Award, nodded while shaking hands with him, ”I wouldn’t feel bad losing to you two either.”

At this moment, Neymar was more like a playboy than he would be later, full of youthful exuberance, sitting here with great anticipation, unsure of what future awaits him after today.

Looking at him, Ma’el easily thought of himself. An untimely personal thought arose... Neymar was so dazzling, but what feeling would he give to others now?

His smile grew a bit, not out of narcissism; sometimes one needs a comparison to get feedback.

”Ma’el.”

A voice sounded from behind, someone sitting behind him called out, ”Do you recognize me?”

Ma’el turned around and saw a familiar yet aging face, the 1993 Golden Ball Award winner, Italy’s melancholy prince, Roberto Baggio.

”Of course I recognize you.” He moved forward, shook hands, and smiled courteously, ”Why are you sitting here? You should be on stage as an award presenter.”

Baggio leaned back and laughed heartily, clearly appreciating the compliment, and smiled back at Ma’el, ”Because I want to sit with today’s Golden Boy.”

The two laughed together, embraced, and suddenly the music at the scene changed, and the lights began to flash fiercely.

”Dun dun... dun dun dun!”

”Bang... bang... bang!”

Under the intense symphony, the overhead spotlights started a random lottery, sometimes shining on Messi, sometimes on Javi, and sometimes on Rooney and others, each time inciting applause.

”Bang!”

After the hustle and bustle, all spotlights suddenly turned and focused on the center in front of the podium!

There, a door glowing with gold slowly opened, from which two opening guests of this ceremony walked out and arrived in front of the podium.

The award ceremony was beginning!

The annual grand event officially commenced, and football’s most prestigious trophies would be awarded here!

”Clap clap clap...!”

Thunderous applause erupted, Ma’el clapped and craned his neck to see the two opening guests. One he recognized, the legendary Dutch player Gullit.

The other female he didn’t recognize, presumably a celebrity from the film industry or another circle.

”Good evening!”

Gullit, with his hair cut short, approached the podium and solemnly began the opening speech.

....

London, Korni Training Base.

In the first team meeting center, the room was crowded, not only with first-team players but also with Hans and his entire U19 youth team.

”Van Persie!”

”Koscielny!”

”Let’s take a photo!”

The place was very noisy, all the U19 players gathered around the first-team members, asking for photos and autographs. Opportunities like this to have close contact with first-team stars are rare.

The first-team stars did not reject them either, staying with their youth team kids requires more patience.

”Good luck.”

Van Persie signed autographs while patting their heads, encouraging them: ”You are in the same batch as Ma’el, he’s now at the Golden Ball Award Ceremony, even we had to form a team to come and watch, haha...

”Strive towards his direction, 19 is a critical year, you may often hear discouraging words but don’t give up.

”In football, there are not only geniuses like Ma’el but also late bloomers like Klose.”

He gave one final pat on a U19 player’s head and then headed to his seat.

Since Ma’el has been shortlisted for the Golden Ball Award, Wenger organized all the first-team members to come and watch the ceremony, and even brought along the U19 kids, perhaps to enhance team cohesion.

Or maybe, it’s simply because he likes Ma’el so much as a player and wants everyone to witness his important moment.

After Van Persie sat down, Alexander Song leaned over and teased, ”You and Ma’el are on the same team, he’s now already standing at...”

”Fack!” He waved his hand with a bitter smile, interrupting Alexander Song’s magic, ”Wait for my performance at the Euro 12 next year, by the end of next year I’ll surely be there.

”Actually, I deserved to be there this year too, if there was one more nominee, it would definitely be me; Ma’el’s stats aren’t much higher than mine.”

Such discussions were happening all over the conference room, not only between first-team members but also between first-team members and U19 team members.

”Arteta.”

A bold U19 player sat in the empty seat next to Arteta, nervously asked a curious question, ”What kind of player is Ma’el in the team now? Does he have a lot of say?”

Arteta glanced at him, smiled, and said, ”Are you worried that despite being a vice-captain he’s too young to have much say?”

The player was a little embarrassed but finally nodded.

”Haha.....” Arteta revealed a row of teeth, shook his head and said, ”No, I am 11 years older than Ma’el, but I completely respect him.”

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