From Arsenal to the Ball God

They are resolute!

Many Cardiff players were emotionally stirred by this scene, with some faces scrunched up and tears streaming down their cheeks.

Yet they still raised their hands high, signaling to the fans and expressing their determination to keep moving forward.

The podium was now set up, and the players from both teams walked toward it, preparing for the award ceremony.

”Ma’el.”

Wenger walked up behind Ma’el, gripping his shoulders tightly, smiling as he recalled, ”Do you remember your official debut with the team? Does it feel like today’s match?”

The memory of that day flashed in Ma’el’s mind, and he smiled contentedly, ”I remember, that match against Newcastle, I started my Arsenal journey with a hat-trick.”

Wenger nodded slightly, implying more than just that. After a pause, he reminded Ma’el, ”Remember what you said during the celebration?”

”Haha...” Ma’el turned around to see Wenger’s cheerful face, ”I said, I will definitely leave a mark.”

He stopped for a step, waiting for Wenger to catch up before walking alongside him, ”Not just that time, many times I’ve expressed similar sentiments; clearly, I’ve already taken a small step.”

These words would usually seem a bit cheesy, but at this moment, no one felt awkward.

They wished nothing more than to continue sharing their bright hopes for the future, embracing each other to express their feelings.

”But that day left a lasting impression.” Wenger walked forward with a face full of joy, ”I also responded, vowing that we would join hands together.”

”So?” Ma’el joked, turning his head, ”Should we hold hands and walk up to the podium together later?”

”Haha...!” The two laughed together, step by step lining up at the side of the podium, waiting for the Cardiff City players to go up first to receive their awards.

Seeing them line up, the players and coaching staff of Cardiff City walked through them with their heads down.

”Mr. Wenger.”

While applauding the Cardiff City players, Ma’el said to Wenger beside him, ”I understand how you feel, just like I said, this is just a small step, and I hope you and I can continue to pair up and achieve more.

”Not just the Premier League title at the season’s end, but also the Champions League and even various grand slams.

”Perhaps...” he turned his head with a dreamy smile, ”one year we could win all the titles in a single season?”

Wenger laughed out loud again, leaning closer to Ma’el, ”Then you might have to score 100 goals that season.”

”No problem.” Ma’el replied with a smile, ”At 18, I could score over 40 goals in a single season, I believe I can double that at 20.”

He was about to laugh with Wenger when he saw some of the opposing players approaching, indicating their intention to embrace him.

”You’re quite unfamiliar.” Cardiff City captain Hudson came over first, smiling bitterly, ”When you won the Golden Boy or the Puskás Award, I remember someone mentioning our team.

”But only as a reference for comparing your growth... I wish this wouldn’t keep happening, but it might happen again after today’s match.”

Ma’el hugged him, then spread his hands helplessly, ”I don’t want this either, but I have no choice.”

Hudson shook his head, turned around, and stepped onto the podium.

Ma’el then hugged a few more Cardiff City players, watching them make their way to the podium.

The awarding of the runners-up was relatively simple, with the mistress of ceremonies and guests coming out to hang silver medals on them and shake their hands.

After everyone received their medals, the Cardiff City players seemed unwilling to stay longer, turning to the side of the pitch to thank the fans.

The champion’s award ceremony officially began at this moment.

Ma’el’s excitement was intense, swaying on the spot, seemingly unable to stand still.

”Next, let’s welcome an old friend of English football, David Dein, to present the important awards for this event!”

On the podium, a female host finished her sentence and cast her gaze in a direction, where an elderly man in a deep black suit and coat slowly walked onto the stage.

David Dein, former Arsenal director, former vice-chairman of The English FA, former chairman of the G-14 Alliance, and one of the creators of the Premier League, wasn’t held in high esteem among the fanbase.

But regardless, he made an important contribution to Arsenal—bringing Wenger from the J.League to Arsenal and keeping Wenger at the club upon his departure.

He was an old friend of Wenger, and Wenger had once said directly that everything felt unsatisfactory after he left the club.

”Clap clap...” Ma’el, along with others, clapped his hands, watching this man, considered a legendary figure of the club, step onto the podium as a guest presenter.

He observed Wenger’s expression, noticing the professor’s face full of surprise and astonishment, with a slight tremble in his body.

Evidently, Wenger was unaware his old friend would be attending the award ceremony.

”A very meaningful championship.”

David Dein, after stepping on stage, directed his gaze toward Wenger, smiling with deep emotion, ”Heartfelt congratulations to my most esteemed team Arsenal, and my good friend Wenger.

”We once journeyed together during a very glorious period, which were the happiest days of my life.

”Being here to present various awards is my honor. I hope this championship will be a turning point for the team.”

As he finished speaking, a round of enthusiastic applause erupted, with all the Arsenal fans standing up and clapping, ”Clap clap clap...!”