From Arsenal to the Ball God

The France team’s players chattered as they walked in, each with a smile on their face. They were about to have a proper celebration here.

Ma’el walked at the front of the crowd, beaming with joy. On his way to the restaurant, he had learned the news that his valuation had exceeded a billion.

It’s hard to describe how he felt at this moment. If someone asked him, he might shyly tell them... feeling a bit taller, seeing different landscapes, breathing different air.

Having played for almost two and a half years, he finally stepped into a whole new realm!

From today on, he is the undisputed third person in the world!

And unlike those who will become part of the third-person group in the future, he truly has competitiveness when facing Messi and Ronaldo!

Maybe he doesn’t need to wait until the previously estimated age of 20; at 19, he already has hope to challenge for Mr. Golden Ball’s position!

”Oh haha... Oh la la...!”

The France team’s players surrounded Ma’el, shaking their heads and howling as they pushed him into the private room, then began dancing around him with unimaginable enthusiasm.

”Living Billionaire!”

”Hahaha!”

”What does living mean?!”

”Who cares, anyway, I never thought I would be playing together with a billionaire someday!”

”4 goals in 2 European Cup games, which team can withstand this firepower? Not even Spain!”

”Stop praising already. Look at Ma’el, he’s already quite embarrassed, haha...!”

Many people were sincerely happy for Ma’el’s valuation surpassing a billion and for his consecutive doubles in games, and of course, many were just joining the group, celebrating the team’s victory.

Ma’el smiled and looked around, seeing joyful faces, and he joined in their jumping, completely immersed in this atmosphere.

Since he started playing, he has experienced moments like this many times, but each time brings new joy.

He believes these joyous scenes will be deeply imprinted in his brain and will never fade away.

After retiring, if he strings them together, he will also see a slideshow of his career’s glorious and joyous moments; they will make up this exciting first half of his life.

Deschamps walked in, hands in pockets, smiling at this scene. After everyone stopped dancing, he said, ”Today is an important day, whether for Ma’el, for the France team, or for everyone.

”Order anything you like, you can also have some red wine or cocktails, but don’t overindulge, don’t get drunk.

”To express my respect and gratitude for your all-out efforts on the pitch, I’ll cover all expenses today!”

”Oh, oh, oh...!!” As soon as he finished speaking, cheers erupted in the private room, and the players laughed and raised their arms again.

What mattered was not the money for the treat, as that amount might be less than a few days’ income for them... What’s important is the coach treating the players with dinner and drinks, this respect of placing them on an equal footing.

The players took their seats, all clamoring to feast heavily on Deschamps. They ordered a lot of expensive ingredients and took 5 bottles of the most expensive wine.

”Cheers...!” Soon, more than twenty players and more than a dozen coaching staff members raised their glasses around the round table, everyone smiling as they drank this wine representing celebration.

During the meal, many people opened the window to the next room to watch England’s game against Sweden, observing the qualifying situation.

England had taken an early lead thanks to Andy Carroll’s goal, but Glen Johnson soon scored an own goal.

Then, as soon as the second half began, Sebastian assisted Melberg in scoring, helping Sweden to overtake!

England was facing a second consecutive defeat!

”Could they be directly homebound?” Ma’el observed Gilbert’s dejected face on the broadcast, silently mourning for him for a few seconds.

For them, the best result would be a draw between the two teams, or for England to win.

The European Cup group stage rules state that in the event of equal points, the ranking is first determined by the points from mutual confrontations, followed by goal difference.

This means, if these two pointless teams draw or if the England team they beat wins, they would directly secure the top spot in their group and qualify!

No need to play the third round, because regardless of who wins in the last round between Ukraine and England accumulating 6 points, neither can surpass them.

If Sweden wins this round and wins against them in the last round, they could press them to secure the qualification for the first place in the group.

Although he doesn’t fear Sweden, since everyone happens to be together celebrating at this moment, of course, he hopes to hear the news of securing first place in the group during the celebration, to add joy to the joy.

As the match time exceeded 80 minutes, Gilbert went in as a substitute, Ma’el couldn’t help but raise his right hand with his phone, shouting: ”Gilbert, save me! Also save yourself and save England!”

A miracle truly happened in the 88th minute of the game. Gilbert’s long pass found Walcott rushing on the right, and the latter immediately crossed.

”Bang!”

From the middle position, Welbeck’s header scored, securing a draw for England, keeping alive their hopes of qualifying.

”Yeah...!” This goal also ignited the emotions of the France team players, as it regained their hopes of securing group first place.

The following 3 minutes passed with the France team players’ nervous anticipation until the referee blew the whistle three times.

The match was over!

A two-two draw!

With 6 points from 2 rounds, they qualified for the quarter-finals as group first!