From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Even though I tried to become a coach and stay in the football industry, nothing got better. Especially when I faced the enormous pressure of transition, I had a fierce conflict with my wife.”

”Amid internal and external troubles, I developed severe anxiety and depression and once thought about ending my life.”

”But... I think it was Ma’el who helped change all this. He gave me the hope to live.”

”Not only did he give me hope for the team (Sheffield United) and my future, but he also gave me hope for his future. I look forward to the day he becomes the best.”

”Yes, I fell in love with him, deeply attracted to him, hahaha...! You can see me as his passionate fan.”

”You often say Ma’el provides hope, is someone else’s power.”

”But I think you don’t understand just how strong this hope is, how this power can help those experiencing life’s low points.”

”Maybe it sounds cheesy, but he saved my life... I actually didn’t need to say this, but I promised him, so I’m trying to shed my shell and reveal my true feelings today.”

Ma’el closed his phone, headed home, and murmured, ”It is quite cheesy.”

Not long after, the appointed time came, and he went to the door to wait for guests to arrive.

The first to arrive was Pepeño. He was probably the most unexpected guest, so he prepared early and was most afraid of being late.”

”Truly a lucky chance.” Pepeño dressed in a casual suit, pulled out a Patek Philippe bag, ”A watch, a gesture of goodwill, it’s something I personally selected.”

Ma’el took it, opened it, and after a glance, his eyes lit up, ”Very nice, thanks.”

”You’re welcome.” He grinned and said, ”Your performance this season was astonishing, almost as surprising as your invitation to me.”

”Haha!” The two hugged and laughed, then entered the living room together.

The place was already lively by then, as the Sheffield trio sat on the sofa chatting, Ma’el’s team of five was busily preparing the party decorations, and Isabella was buying wine.”

”Do I need to help with anything?” Pepeño saw everyone was occupied and looked at Ma’el.

”No, no, no.”

Ma’el invited him to sit down, ”Just sit here, wait a bit, and I’ll greet the others. It’ll start soon.”

”Okay.” Pepeño smiled, sat down, and started looking at his phone.

Ma’el went outside again, soon seeing Hans approaching with a glowing face, his wife holding his hand seemed a bit nervous.

Hans completed the greetings with Ma’el and then handed over a small bag containing some handmade crafts, ”These are made by my wife, she’s interested in crafts, and these are the ones she’s most satisfied with.”

”On the way here, she kept worrying whether you’d like these. I think you definitely would.”

”Of course.” Ma’el took the gift, flipped through it, and raised his eyebrows, ”They all look great, I love them, I’ll display them in the living room.”

Hans’s wife couldn’t stop smiling, like others visiting for the first time, she pointed at the house in surprise, ”Your place is really big and beautiful, the surrounding environment is also lovely.”

”This is a hit on me, a hint I’m not capable.” Hans jokingly said, quickly earning a slap on his arm.

Ma’el turned around to glance, and laughed, ”I’m planning to buy this place so you can come and play often.”

”Great.” Hans smiled and nodded, guiding his wife inside.

Just as they entered, Clément’s family’s car arrived, Eva jumped out of the car in a brisk step and rushed towards Ma’el.

”Every time you’re the first.”

Ma’el watched her and found the right moment to pick her up, carrying her inside, ”Come on, experience speed and passion!”

With family, there’s naturally no need for formal greetings outside the door one by one.

”Haha....!” Eva exclaimed and laughed, once inside the room, she wanted to wriggle free to find her sister, Isabella.

Ma’el looked at the increasingly crowded living room, satisfied with a smile, heading to the kitchen to observe Safina’s progress.

”Almost ready.”

Safina bustled about dripping with sweat, Harry and Davis were helping beside her, the two small kitchen lads imitating a chef’s manner.

”Davis.” Ma’el glanced at Davis and joked, ”Didn’t know you had this talent, you interested in squeezing Safina out of his position?”

Old Davies thought about laughing and saying yes, but upon seeing Safina’s warning glance, he sheepishly raised his eyebrows and shut his mouth.”

”Haha.....!” Laughter erupted here, this seemed to be the day’s main theme, everyone was very happy.”

Half an hour later, everyone was seated at the dining table, with dishes and wine glasses ready in front of them.

Safina dressed like a chef, holding spirits and wine, kept asking about people’s tastes, then poured drinks for them. Today, he’s definitely multitasking.”

When it was Ma’el’s turn, she didn’t even ask and laughed, pouring spirits, ”Rare to have two days to rest, better drink something strong.”

Ma’el smiled ’helplessly’ with happiness, watching Safina finish pouring for him, standing to take the spirits, ”Come on, it’s troublesome for you today, let me pour for you.”

”I want to drink wine.”

”No, you don’t.”

Safina: ”.....”

Soon, everyone had a glass of wine, and they raised their glasses in unison.

”Cheers....!!”

”Celebrate for Ma’el!”

”Get totally drunk!”

”To experience the Double Crown’s glory with him is an honor for all of us. Come on, let’s have a few more rounds!”