From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Doing well?”

Gilbert half-jokingly, half-sentimentally walked up next to Ma’el, glanced him up and down, then extended his right hand, sighing, ”I thought I was coming back to team up with the Premier League champions, but it turns out it’s the European champions.”

”Clap!”

Ma’el’s right hand slapped into a handshake with his, smiling, ”You don’t need a champion to decorate; teaming up with ’Ma’el’ is enough for you to secretly rejoice.”

”Pfft!”

”Get out!”

The two of them laughed and bantered, then tightly embraced each other, patting the other’s back and bearing their hearts.

”England came home too early, I’ve been waiting for you here for too long.”

”How’s training with the team? Can you integrate into the team’s system?”

”No matter what, I’m still part of the England squad, don’t underestimate me. In the new season, there will be playing opportunities...when someone bullies you, I’ll tackle them back for you.”

”Do you still need that now? Who can tackle me? I’ll stand up for you then.”

”Haha.....!” The two of them laughed together, seemingly recalling those days on the Championship stage, then they parted.

Ma’el walked toward Wenger and Little Kroenke, giving each a high five and hug.

”Many people watched the European Cup final on-site, unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to congratulate you during your happiest moment.”

Wenger slightly shrugged, beaming, ”But we all understand, that was a celebration moment belonging to you and the France team, we truly shouldn’t have disturbed you.”

Kroenke, on the other hand, wore his ever-confident smile, ”I watched the match in the United States, without a doubt, you are the pride of our whole team and the pride of the whole of London.

”Our youth training camp being able to produce such an absolute superstar, I think, symbolizes that we are destined to achieve greatness in this generation.”

Ma’el nodded to the two, then walked towards Van Persie, Arteta, and others. Many people had come to welcome him, so to perform all the formal greetings, he had to cut down on small talk.

Then as he gave high fives to other Arsenal players, everyone expressed amazement at his performance in the European Cup, and the atmosphere gradually became lively.

”Great job!”

”Why does it seem like you’ve gotten stockier again? Is Polish beef different from England’s?”

”You’re channeling the other defenders from the European Cup, right? From their point of view, Ma’el is indeed robust because he’s unstoppable.”

”Haha.....6 matches in the European Cup, 11 goals, does that even make sense? Looking at you now feels somewhat unreal, like an ultimate composite entity is standing in front of me.”

”What’s so unreal, he’s just our number 7, Ma’el, and we were together all last season.”

”Yeah! He makes opponents frightened and incredulous, but we just get to admire.”

”Exactly right! Haha!”

The players’ words of admiration grew louder, many also chatted among themselves about related topics, eager to see this football world Demon King advance further under their watch.

”Ma’el continues to ’feast’ in the 3 international A-level matches representing the France team, scoring 7 goals. That makes it 9 matches and 18 goals in total on the new frontier, steady at an average of 2 goals per game.”

”Do you know about Fang Dan? He once scored 30 goals in 21 matches representing the France team, considered a miracle; he ranks fifth on France’s historical scoring list, and Ma’el is poised to surpass him.”

”Ma’el has surpassed Platini’s 5 matches and 9 goals performance in the European Cup; he’s definitely going to surpass Fang Dan.”

”The record for most goals in France team’s history is Henry’s 51 goals. I think, in a few years, Henry will be surpassed by him, and he will become France team’s historical top scorer.”

Compared to Ma’el, who’s now an international superstar, they are undoubtedly somewhat mediocre, a fact they all acknowledge.

So they kept a balanced attitude, no need to compare with Ma’el or feel ashamed in front of him; just watch him step by step fulfill his challenges and missions.

Sometimes, being a witness is also glorious.....because they are the ones closest to Ma’el, his teammates who live with him.

”Arsenal’s, still Henry, 377 matches, 228 goals, 97 assists.”

”This record is a bit harder to break, but I think for Ma’el, it’s not an unattainable goal.”

”What are you talking about? Isn’t today his welcome ceremony?”

”Ah.....yeah, hahaha! Let’s give him a good welcome and then watch him crush it all!”

As the conversation finally came full circle with topics straying increasingly, they clapped hands again, welcoming Ma’el back to the team, and immediately flocked around him to head to the administrative building for check-in.

”Here you go!”

”And this one!”

Throughout the process, many also handed Ma’el prepared congratulatory gifts, mostly watches and some small souvenirs.

Between them, gifts certainly value sentiment more; there’s no need for expensive items.

A staff member kindly provided a big bag for Ma’el to collect these gifts.

”Thank you!”

Ma’el continuously thanked his teammates, and during this, he noticed the new joiners also prepared gifts for him.

Although Thiago Silva and Cazorla didn’t speak much, they still warmly smiled as they shoved things into his bag and patted him on the shoulder.

It was evident that they really wanted to get along with him, hoping for a harmonious team atmosphere in the new season.

Ma’el’s former U17 coach Hans then followed up, stuffing something shoe-like into his bag.