From Arsenal to the Ball God

March 10th, three days before the Premier League’s 29th match.

Ma’el is the first to sign an endorsement deal with the local brand Pepe Jeans, kicking off the filming of promotional clips and various advertisement magazines.

From the name of the brand, you can tell it’s one that focuses on a denim style, with its T-shirts and denim jackets and jeans being highly individualistic.

It might be hard to say how it looks on others, but for an athlete like Ma’el who’s slim in clothes and muscular without, wearing it is incredibly attractive, and the photos taken look very tasteful.

It’s hard to say this is a cross-industry collaboration for a sports star; it actually seems more like they’ve hired a supermodel.

”Amazing!”

”Just like that, good!”

This discovery made the Pepe company people very delighted, and they urgently brought in several female supermodels to take some photos with Ma’el.

”It’s definitely worth the money.” Someone whispered to the person next to them, ”Some people seem very attractive in their own industry, but once they cross over, their whole image collapses.

”There are many such people, especially in the sports industry... but not him, I’m sure he’s one of those who have been blessed by fate.”

”I don’t know how to describe the feeling he gives, there are plenty of handsome people, but many don’t seem attractive, at least not to guys.”

As this person spoke more enthusiastically, they started gesturing wildly, ”So I think it’s a kind of aura, a graceful confidence brought by fame at a young age, a little bit of bravado, and a sunny youthful vibe.”

Someone nodded in agreement: ”When I first saw him, although he still had a youthful face, I felt he must have seen a lot of grand scenes.

”From his industry, I think it’s scenes like his winning the Golden Boy Award, being in the top ten for the Golden Ball Award, important awards like Puskas.

”And going through many tough games, unexpected matches, the setbacks, difficult choices, and more.”

Another person added: ”You missed one point; he lives among praises... Yes, this kind of praise is very important, it influences a person’s temperament and personality.

”And most importantly, he’s not arrogant, which I think is rare, maybe it’s why he gives off a very tenacious vibe.”

Their voices of admiration were not quiet, many around could hear them.

This isn’t talking bad behind someone’s back, no need to hide it, just as long as Ma’el doesn’t hear it, there won’t be any... Even if he did hear, at most everyone would just share an awkward smile.

Quite a few supermodels waiting nearby heard it clearly.

The supermodels who originally lived in places like London and Paris were alright, they have a wide range of information, certainly have some understanding of cross-industry stars, maybe even enjoy watching games.

But crucially, there are many models from small towns in countries like Latvia and Lithuania who know little about this.

They only know that today they’re shooting with a young football player, not very clear on what the person is like.

Sometimes there’s quite a high information barrier between circles, especially for these supermodels who are just starting out, every day they’re just shooting, climbing up, where’s the time to encounter anything else.

”Him? Amazing?” A tall Latvian supermodel looked intriguingly at Ma’el.

”Sounds like it, let me search him.” A South African supermodel took out her phone and looked up Ma’el’s name, soon her eyes widened, ”22.91 million Twitter followers!”

”Ah.....?!” An exclamation echoed here, quite a few people covered their mouths, looking at Ma’el with changing eyes.

”I didn’t even know him.”

”Why am I just now finding out?”

”Young, handsome, impressive, how can someone like this exist?”

”I should’ve researched before coming, Anna, how do I look today?”

”What do you mean how?”

”Am I sexy?”

Anna: ”.....”

She rolled her eyes and nodded, pointing in Ma’el’s direction, ”It’s my turn to shoot.”

Anna walked towards Ma’el, though she looked down on her peers’ behavior, but as she headed to Ma’el’s side, a pressure and unease surged within her, making her slightly uncomfortable.

”What’s his endorsement fee?”

”Let me ask.”

”.....” Whispering sounds came from behind, Anna slowed her pace, eavesdropping.

”Wow...!” She heard a sharp gasp of surprise, followed by the swift pattering of high heels, and the final answer: ”£2 million for 1 year! Plus a £500k bonus clause.”

”Shit, £2 million I’d have to earn for 5 years without spending, he just has to shoot a few ads.”

”Suddenly much more charming.”

”Gotta get to know him!”

”.....”

Anna’s mouth slightly opened after hearing this, and when she looked at Ma’el again, her gaze seemed to linger a bit longer. She gently cleared her throat, licked her lips, and adjusted the hair on her forehead with her right hand.

Even after preparing fully, when she reached Ma’el, she couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous, ”Hello, I’m Anna, very pleased... very pleased to meet you here.”

”Hello.” Ma’el politely nodded at her, sitting in place looking at messages on his phone.

Shooting is still quite interesting for him, but it’s not entirely good, sometimes a pose takes too long, or changing expressions continuously can give him a feeling of mental exhaustion.

Perhaps it’s still unfamiliarity... he was already not inclined to speak much, just wanting to finish quickly and leave.