From Arsenal to the Ball God

Time pushed on to August, the month when the season officially starts.

And on July 31st, Ma’el celebrated his 19th birthday, throwing a big party at home, only replacing the usual alcohol with soft drinks for a healthy celebration.

Compared to his 17th birthday, when only he and Gilbert celebrated simply, and his 18th birthday, which he spent with Arsenal players in the locker room after a debut win over Bayern Munich, this year’s birthday was particularly lively.

”What a good day!”

”We’re here!”

”Haha, no suit today?”

Most Arsenal players came to his house, even the coaching staff, including Hans, showed up in suits, and Garrispeed, Jorson, and others from Sheffield United also hurried over.

There were also Peter and Amelia from Football Record, Alto and several executives from Puma, and Pepeño, an agent from Mendes.

Even those who didn’t come, like Wenger, Deschamps, and Michel, fearing they might spoil the atmosphere, called to wish him well and informed him they had bought gifts for him to check on.

These are the people he has befriended over the past year throughout the United Kingdom and France, and gradually, his network has grown significantly.

”Brother....!”

Once Eva’s family, who had been studying in London for half a semester, arrived, the birthday party officially began. They shared a meal and drinks before bringing out the cake tower to sing the birthday song.

”Click.” Isabella turned off the light, took out the roses she had prepared earlier from the cabinet, and asked her good friend Aisha to help turn on the flashlight.

”Happy birthday, my boy!”

She playfully walked over to Ma’el, handed him a large bouquet of flowers, and kissed him, ”I have a special gift for you, I’ll tell you later.”

”Oh oh oh...!”

”Happy Birthday, Ma’el!”

”Score more goals, break more records, win more championships in the new year!!”

Amidst the cheers and well-wishes, Aisha turned off the flashlight, and many people lit 18 candles for Ma’el and started singing the birthday song.

”Happy Birthday to You...Happy Birthday to You...Happy Birthday.....! Ohhh.....!!”

In the lively atmosphere, the birthday song concluded, and everyone’s eyes were glued to Ma’el, waiting for him to make a wish.

Ma’el closed his eyes, clasped his hands together devoutly, and made a wish.

The candlelight cast shadows on his face, accentuating his features, and Isabella and the other women were momentarily captivated.

Soon, Ma’el finished his wish, opened his eyes, and blew hard: ”Hoo...!”

All the candles went out instantly, the room was plunged into darkness, and it was Aisha who felt her way to turn the lights back on, ”Click!”

”Clap clap clap.....!”

”Yes.....!”

”What wish did you make?”

Everyone clapped and shouted excitedly, with some curiously asking Ma’el what his wish was.

Ma’el shook his head, not intending to reveal it, ”I’ll tell you what it was once it comes true.”

”Boo boo.....!” Many people let out a chorus of boos but soon started laughing.

They then began to cut the cake and eat it, even those who didn’t like cream had a plate out of celebration.

During the process, Ma’el looked at Isabella’s friend Aisha and said with a smile, ”This time, I need to order a few suits from you early. In August, I have to attend the UEFA awards ceremony.”

”Leave it to me.” Aisha patted her chest confidently, ”I’ll send Isabella some pictures later; you pick the style and design, and leave the rest to me.”

”Alright.”

Ma’el took a couple of bites of cake and turned around to see Amelia, who was bending beside him with her phone for a selfie. He smiled and posed with her.

After taking the photo, he quietly asked, ”Is the documentary almost edited, any news on the rights?”

”It’ll be ready this week.”

Amelia put down her phone and replied with a gentle smile, ”The bidding for the rights is quite heated. Major media in mainstream countries across all continents have offered seven-figure exclusive regional acquisition fees.”

”That’s great.” Ma’el nodded, grinning, ”The new season’s Arsenal show and my show need to continue, and Arsenal’s documentary should start filming. This is the best way for us to move forward.”

Amelia acknowledged, then took the cake Gilbert had cut and handed her, and went to her seat to eat.

As the birthday party was ending, Hans came over and cheerfully said to Ma’el, ”Your girlfriend has prepared a special gift for you, and Arsenal fans have one too, want to see it?”

”Sure.” Ma’el stood up curiously, wondering what the gift was.

Hans motioned for him to sit down, then ran over to the TV, connected his phone, and played a video.

”Yeahhh.....!” It was a carefully edited video that began with scenes of Ma’el’s aerial celebrations and fans’ roars, with commentary in the background.

As the intense montage passed, the footage gradually calmed, and a series of captions appeared on the screen.

”Happy 19th birthday, in your 18th year you achieved feats never seen before. We hope to compile these into a summary video, highlighting every step of your journey this past year!”

The video had a voiceover, a young male voice, whose tone conveyed love and admiration for Ma’el.

”.....” The scene gradually quieted, everyone focused on the TV, wanting to see how Ma’el spent the past year.