From Arsenal to the Ball God

Ma’el looked forward nonchalantly, pretending it was just small talk.

"Beep beep!"

The referee blew the whistle signaling the players to enter the field, and all players snapped out of their thoughts, taking a few deep breaths before following the referee.

"Aaahhh.....!!" As soon as they entered the field, the entire stadium erupted in deafening cheers, everyone stood up to applaud the players, including some neutral tourists.

Ma’el stepped onto the field amidst the spotlight, causing many to take photos and scream. Never before had such a charming youth stood in the first position for the France team.

"Leon!!"

"We believe in you!"

"Go for it!!"

Amidst the voices of encouragement, Ma’el held his head high with a surging feeling of pressure and motivation flowing through his body, causing his hands to clench tightly once more.

"Ouch....!" The cute ball boy beside him winced in pain, looking at him pleadingly.

Ma’el apologized and quickly released his grip, patting the little one’s head, "Sorry, it’s too lively here, I forgot about you.

"Since you asked if I could score a goal earlier, how about you help me choose a celebration gesture?"

"Sure!" The girl’s eyes lit up; she paused briefly then placed her right hand on her head and left hand on her stomach, bouncing up and down, "Follala.....!"

Ma’el laughed, nodding in agreement, and patted her head again.

Their actions caused the whole stadium to burst into laughter, although others might not know what it meant, assuming the ball boy was teasing Ma’el.

"Alright, as both teams step onto the pitch, the spotlight match of the first round of this year’s European Cup is about to kick off!

"Meanwhile, we are witnessing history as Ma’el, at 18 years and 316 days old, becomes the youngest recorded captain in national team tournament history!

"It must be said this is a bold move by Deschamps; prior captains aged 24-25 were often doubted if they were too young!

"Giving such a key position to someone not yet 20, if the outcome isn’t favorable, he may become a target of media criticism!"

"..."

The coin toss ceremony was underway on the field, Ma’el and Gerrard stood beside the referee, tossing the coin.

"Your choice." The referee pointed at Ma’el, indicating he could choose first.

Under Gerrard’s tense gaze, Ma’el unhesitatingly pointed to the side where England was standing, willing to deal with the hassle of switching sides for that field.

The reason was simple: this side was shielding from the sun, aiding their goalkeeper in saving and defending aerial balls.

Though sides would switch in the second half...it would be after 4:30, when the sun was less dazzling and wouldn’t affect them.

Don’t underestimate these details; sometimes, they can affect the game.

"Fack." Gerrard muttered under his breath, carrying the football to his half and indicating for England players to switch sides.

Ma’el smiled slightly, it was just his luck to always win the side choice.

Standing at his position, his expression turned serious, shaking his head a few times to clear his mind.

He felt slightly dazed, it was understandable given his lack of experience with such matches...he could only repeatedly remind himself, this was the opportunity he had long waited for, the best battleground for competing!

The documentary was already filming, Sagna promised him a new Song of Ma’el, Wenger and Isabella were casting expectant looks from the stands.

Everything hinted that he must deliver an impressive start!

He was confident about this, the Level 5 cannon shot making its debut today, he was certain to catch England’s goalkeeper Joe Hart off guard!

The proficiency of this skill he had become very clear on after attempts over time.

Though football is a complex sport, he couldn’t confirm the exact hit rate of this cannon shot from varied distances...but an intense intuition told him, he surely would shatter Joe Hart’s defenses today.

It was a feeling grounded in truth, an inner calm and confidence!

"Beep!!"

The whistle sounded, initiating the start of the match, with Welbeck kicking off the center circle ball for England.

Ma’el could spare no thought for anything else, he devoted his whole self to the game, brain directing his legs to sprint past England’s half.

He no longer thought about Deschamps, nor who was in the stands, ears blocking out the cheers except focusing on the match ahead.

"Thud thud thud.....!"

He only heard the sound of opposing passes and his own breaths, as if truly entering a flow state.

At this moment, watching the rolling soccer ball, he was utterly convinced, that today he would score.

....

ps: This volume has about 200,000 words, I am quite adept at writing the European Cup.

Just laying more groundwork at the beginning, with the group stage more exciting than the Premier League and knockout rounds being more thrilling than the group stage.

Trust Mu Yao!