From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Apply to headquarters, let them use all the resources!”

”What about Alto?”

”He’s gone to the auction.”

”...”

Collaborating with a popular football star to release co-branded sneakers is undoubtedly one of this company’s key projects of the year!

The global soccer shoe market is around 35 billion US Dollars, which isn’t a small market.

But unfortunately, Puma’s market share is only about 12%, while their competitors, Adi and Nike, collectively hold more than 50%.

Puma has been waiting for the opportunity to seize the soccer shoe market, starting with surpassing their competitors in a small area and then gradually seeking an overall lead.

The Ma’el lm7 is the product to make the first breakthrough for them!

As long as these sneakers are loved by those playing football, and Puma’s wear rate increases, their other sneaker sales will also increase, as the market will more recognize them.

”Bang bang bang.....!!”

”Puff puff puff.....!!”

At 11:46 am, fireworks were set off simultaneously in several places at the company; a moment everyone had long awaited had arrived.

”It’s broken 200,000! Ness! The release of the sneakers just caught up with Arsenal’s championship and the upcoming European Cup fever! A total of 200,000 pairs sold!”

”The sales have also surpassed 35 million pounds, and the crowd of buyers is much larger than expected!”

”Hahahaha!!”

”Beautiful sales data! It has the potential to become our best-selling sneaker!”

”And this is just the basic edition; the special and collector’s editions haven’t even started sales and auctions!”

”We’re making a fortune, quickly call Alto to let him share in the joy.”

The atmosphere in the office was full of happiness; everyone was laughing, clapping to celebrate, and many even hugged each other.

”No need to call.”

Alto’s voice sounded as he walked in, looking happy, ”I already know, and I bring more good news.”

”From the auction?”

”Tell us quickly.”

”For 10 pairs of numbered shoes, can they auction for 100,000 pounds?”

Many looked expectantly at Alto, who didn’t keep them in suspense and revealed the amount with a smile, ”Thanks to the popularity of the basic edition, many believe in the value of the collector’s edition. A total of the 10 numbered shoes auctioned for 673,000 pounds.

”The shoes numbered 0001 sold for a whopping 110,000 pounds, and the bid prices for numbers 6, 8, and 10 were also impressive.”

”Yeah.....!” Before he could finish speaking, the room erupted in cheers and jubilation.

Alto couldn’t stop smiling and continued, ”Let’s price the special edition at 673 pounds. This is a lucky number for us, and it’s neither too high nor too low, just right.”

”Great!”

”Let’s eat!”

”Yes, indeed.”

A group of executives surrounded him, and with a wave of his hand, he said to everyone in the company, ”Let’s go! Everyone can go out and celebrate today, and I will apply to headquarters for your reimbursement.

”Let’s standardize it at 500 pounds per person, too much might be hard to approve.”

”Oh.....!” More cheers erupted, everyone there was going to have a wonderful day.

Alto and a group of executives, in high spirits, walked out heading for the most luxurious restaurant in London by car.

In the car, he suddenly recalled something, ”I heard from Mendes that during Ma’el’s youth team period, he couldn’t afford new soccer shoes and always wore ones with peeling soles, which was pitiful.

”A youth coach, unable to bear it, lent him a pair of his own shoes, and wearing these shoes, Ma’el made a name for himself, catching the interest of Sheffield United scouts and embarking on his professional career.

”Later, he wrote a phrase signifying ’beginning’ on those shoes and returned them.....”

He looked to the side and asked with a smile, ”A collection shoe numbered 1 auctioned for 110,000, what do you think the pair of shoes representing his whole career could auction for?”

”I don’t know, it would surely be an astronomical amount,” someone replied, moved.

Alto shook his head, unable to guess the exact price, ”Have an interview with his youth coach sometime and hear the story of that pair of shoes, indirectly boosting the co-branded shoes’ sales.

”For those who like Ma’el, once they know how significant the shoes are to him, they will absolutely have a strong desire to purchase them.

”Not only is this a great marketing tactic, but it’s also a move to help Ma’el resolve all his past issues.”

Driving, Alto smiled slightly, ”He surely wants to see his co-branded shoes receiving adoration from those who admired him.”

...

Poland, Warsaw.

Outside a small luxury hotel reserved by the France team wives, a bunch of stunningly beautiful women stood smiling while watching a scene.

There, Isabella was saying goodbye to Ma’el, the two clinging to each other reluctantly.

”Look how happy she is,” Benzema’s girlfriend said with a sugary expression to others, ”She’s not only the youngest, prettiest, and wealthiest, but her boyfriend is also very handsome.”

”Yeah.”

”Indeed.”

Their approval was unanimous, and with their boyfriends absent, they all unabashedly gazed at Ma’el.

Such behavior might not be right, but they couldn’t help themselves... Some finally understood why the American socialites always said Leonardo’s auditions would capture the attention of the entire building.

”He’s not only handsome but also very talented.” Malouda’s wife frankly added, her eyes almost glued to Ma’el.

In her thirties and in a marriage of convenience with Malouda, their mutual interests had long waned, even appearing more dispassionate on the surface.

Adding to the fact she was at the age of sexual peak, she quietly admitted, ”It’s not just Isabella; I’m also quite attracted to him.”