From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Our rental contract stated that if I wanted to buy it within 2 years, I could purchase it directly for 12 million pounds.

”Please also help me find someone to appraise the house, to see its exact value and whether this deal is worthwhile.”

”Okay.” Pepeño agreed, ”I will find someone to do the appraisal, and if negotiations are needed later, I can also handle it for you.”

Hanging up the phone, Ma’el quickly calculated his savings. After the team bonuses at the end of the season, along with bonuses from Puma and other endorsements, his savings should have exceeded 22 million pounds.

A few days ago, when talking with Mendes, he mentioned endorsements and advertisements before the European Cup... by then his wealth should easily surpass 28 million pounds.

Buying this house in full is no pressure; he still has over ten million pounds at his disposal.

This season was indeed fruitful, with everything falling into place. His money-making ability and total income far exceeded his expectations.

I wonder if there will be another significant improvement next season.

Not thinking more about it, Ma’el threw himself back into training. The France team’s gathering date is May 28th, and before then he should be able to upgrade his Long Shot.

Keep pushing forward, the first Level 5 skill must make its debut on the European Cup stage!

On May 25th, Ma’el received a press pass and a cooperation signing invitation sent by Deschamps, which he had Jose drive to deliver to the newspaper office.

At the same time, at the bottom of this package, he also saw a schedule for the France team in the European Cup.

”Fourth pot team.”

Seeing the introduction at the start, he was a bit surprised. The France team was actually classified as a fourth pot team during the group draw, which is the weakest tier.

Even though Poland and Ukraine, as hosts, each occupied a first-pot spot, the France team’s international ranking still seemed quite low.

It seems that ever since Zidane left, this team had been continually performing poorly due to a transition between old and new players, as well as internal conflicts.

Deschamps later brought this team back to the top three, which truly shows his capability.

Without thinking much about it, he began examining the schedule. On June 1st, they have a friendly match against Serbia, followed by another friendly on June 6th against Estonia.

Following that, the European Cup will directly commence, and in the first round of group stages, they will face the Three Lions, England, on June 12th.

In the second round, their opponent is the Ukraine team, with the match on June 16th.

In the third round, they will face the Sweden team, with the match on June 20th.

After completing the three rounds of group stage matches, if they advance to the knockout stage, the quarter-finals will start on June 23-24, the semi-finals on June 28-29, and the final on July 2nd.

A fairly steady 4 days per match, laid out in the schedule. It’s actually a pretty intensive battle, and as it progresses, the strength of the willpower and cohesion of each team becomes a key factor in determining victory.

Thinking about the fervor of the European Cup, a few traces of anticipation appeared on Ma’el’s face. This is a football festival that only happens once every four years and will attract attention from around the world.

If he can perform outstandingly here, his influence and fame will rise to another level!

On May 26th, with 2 days left until the gathering day and only 1 day left until the departure day.

That afternoon during training, Ma’el’s legs, along with his feet, hips, and all the way up to his waist and shoulders, felt a kind of stiffness and numbness.

Not very painful, but extremely itchy... almost unbelievably itchy, to the point of being unbearable.

Since he was already anticipating the upgrade time, he also anticipated this condition. He was training alone, which allowed him to lie down somewhat respectably, gritting his teeth and enduring.

A few minutes later, when the indescribable discomfort slowly subsided, his forehead was already soaked in sweat, but he wore an indescribably happy smile on his face.

”Hahahahaha.....hahahahaha!”

Laughter echoed throughout the training ground. The ’Fan Jin-like’ Ma’el got up, breathing in the fresh air and broadening his chest, as if everything had changed and he had entered a new phase of life.

The Long Shot has been upgraded!

The era of Level 5 has arrived!

[Skill: Battle Axe Heavy Cannon Level 5]

[Skill Level: (Max/Max)]

[Utility: After an incalculable number of practices, one day you suddenly have a wonderful feeling as if breaking through shackles, reaching a whole new level! The Long Shot ability has truly reached its peak; it’s perfect!!]

”I did it! I did it!”

”Hahaha!!”

Ma’el sprinted toward the edge of the penalty area, swung his foot strongly, and watched as the football really smashed into the corner like a cannonball, with a force and fluidity never seen before.

He raised his toes and moved his ankle a few times, wanting to ask: European Cup goalkeepers, are you ready?

...

ps: This volume’s matches are likely to be more exciting than the last because of the tight schedule and high density, with many highlights to look forward to.