From Arsenal to the Ball God

"The Avengers Alliance officially kicks off, with Benzema and Fabregas set to be the main force against the Demon King Ma’el this new season!" — Manchester Evening Paper

"Chelsea is attempting to bid for Ribery, and it is said the player himself is willing to join, but ultimately it’s up to Guardiola whether he wants to let the French winger go!" — Sports Flash News

"75 million pounds! Arsenal has officially made an offer to Tottenham for Bale, and this offer may sway Tottenham! A major move by Kroenke and Wenger!" — The Times

"Arsenal new season preview! Star player Ma’el is about to return to the team. How will the French forward who has won the European Cup coexist with new star teammates? Can the team still maintain its harmony?" — L’Equipe

...

July 14, Paris, France.

Having wrapped everything up, Ma’el is finally set to embark on his return journey to London, parting ways with a weary-looking Mendes at the airport.

"Take care."

Mendes waved with a smile at the boarding gate, "I’ll go home and rest for a few days, spend time with the kids, and come over once Procter & Gamble Company and Emirates Airline, Ferrari have agreed on the contract dates."

"I reckon your contract renewal will also need to be sorted this month. I’ll go back and prepare well, this time I’m aiming to get you the Premier League’s top salary."

"Alright." Ma’el waved back at him. This had been one of the longest periods the two had spent together, and they were moving towards higher goals together.

Next time they meet, after dealing with some lingering issues, they can officially step into new challenges.

"Remember to shoot those commercials. After arriving in London, Pepeño will bring a professional team to find you; aim to finish everything by mid-month and collect the full rewards."

Mendes gave a final reminder, then dragged his tired body toward the passenger jet. He truly needed a good rest now.

Ma’el waited at the airport for a while before boarding the flight to London at 3 PM, with Safina and Harry by his side. They had been with him for some time, assisting him with post-match recovery.

At 5:10 PM, they pushed their suitcases out of London International Airport, returning to the long-missed homeland.

Breathing in the familiar air, Ma’el couldn’t help but show a look of affection. After reporting to the club today, he planned to go home and sleep deeply, until the world turns dark and the seas turn blue.

"Snap, snap...!" As he walked toward the parking lot, he suddenly saw flashes ahead. Realizing after a moment, he noticed media reporters leaping over the barrier rushing toward him.

He stood there stunned. He had returned home in total secrecy, how did the media catch wind of this?

Ma’el glanced at Safina and Harry, both shook their heads slightly, looking puzzled and not like they leaked the news.

The airline?

Or the passengers, flight attendants, or Arsenal Club?

"Aaahh.....!" Just as he thought about this, chaos erupted, followed by the sound of running footsteps. A crowd of fervent Arsenal fans appeared following the reporters.

Looking around, he quickly moved aside from the main path to prevent blockages at the exit.

"Ma’el?!"

"The European champion is back!"

Disorder was inevitable, more and more Arsenal fans arrived, even many exiting passengers, upon recognizing him, took out their phones and hurried over to capture the moment.

"Ding ding ding ding.....!"

The familiar song echoed through the airport, and Arsenal fans quickly gathered around, surrounding him in a corner.

However, they were respectful, not crowding too close, stopping three to four meters away, and didn’t obstruct his exit, consciously making way.

It seemed they just came to welcome him, to celebrate his magnificent European Cup victory.

"London welcomes the European champion!!"

"Welcome home! Ma’el!"

"After England was eliminated, I’ve closely followed France team’s matches; seeing you win the championship, I felt so genuinely happy for you!"

"I was even drinking that day, somehow, I felt tears welling up."

"We all know what it meant to you, and hope you can lead Arsenal to a European championship too!"

"Congratulations...Ma’el....! Arsenal fans will always love you!"

Listening to the familiar voices, Ma’el’s initial bewilderment and resistance slowly faded, soon he melded into the big family of Arsenal fans, as if returning to last season, to the moment of the European Cup triumph.

"Bang bang bang.....!" Countless people set off confetti cannons for him, countless smoke bombs were lit, and numerous flower bouquets handed to him.

Ma’el quickly burst into joyful laughter, his hands soon unable to hold all the flowers fans brought, needing Safina and Harry’s help.

Such a triumphant return home, reveling with old friends in a radiant dance elsewhere, gave him a wonderful feeling, erasing even the fatigue from his travels.

"Oh...Oh...Ohh.....!"

He placed the bouquets on the ground, taking out a pen to sign autographs for Arsenal fans.

During the process, he even noticed several fans wearing West Ham United and Crystal Palace jerseys coming over for photos.

He gave them a surprised look, jokingly saying, "You guys joining in too? Why not buy an Arsenal jersey to fit in?"

"We love our team."

Someone replied, yet happily shouted after taking the photo, "But we also like great players, thank you for bringing glory to London."

"Haha....!" Ma’el placed a hand on a Crystal Palace fan’s shoulder, tilting back his head in laughter. He patted him, and after spending some time with Arsenal fans, he left to take a business vehicle to the training base.

Throughout the journey, he hadn’t fully shaken off the earlier emotions, a subtle smile lingered on his lips.

It was a great experience, moments like these happening again and again, deepened his sense of belonging to this club and city, making him love it even more.

Around seven o’clock, darkness had set in, and he finally arrived at the Korney Training Base, ready to report to the team.

Unlike the usual darkness at this time, the entrance of the base was brightly lit today, he could see a crowd waiting from afar.

As the vehicle slowly pulled in, he first noticed two tall figures standing at the front.

It was Wenger and Little Krenke, their tall statures and suited appearance were very noticeable.

Behind them stood the Arsenal coaching staff and all the players; he saw Van Persie, Sagna, Gilbert, Arteta who had returned to the team before him, and even Hans.

Even the recently joined members like Thiago Silva, Podolski, Cazorla, and Joao Pereira stood there waiting for him.

They had all gathered long ago, waiting until now just to welcome him home!

Ma’el put down his backpack, ready to jump out of the car and embrace everyone. After being away for over a month, his longing for the team reached its peak.

"surprise....!"

At that moment, the club’s business vehicle driver turned around, smiling, "Didn’t expect that, did you? Everyone has been waiting for you, and they all prepared a gift for you."

Ma’el felt touched in his heart, shaking his head and whispering, "I truly didn’t expect this."

"In fact, it’s not just the players and coaches, not just the upper management."

The business vehicle driver turned back, revealing, "Every employee in the administrative building is waiting for you, even the cleaning staff, equipment managers, team bus drivers, and receptionists are prepared to welcome you."

"We received the news yesterday, and started preparing with excitement... I kept it a secret all the way here to not spoil your surprise."

"Ma’el..... Welcome home."

Hearing the final words, Ma’el’s eyes felt a twinge of sourness. He exchanged a high-five with the driver, "We must take a photo later, thank you for making this experience so special for me."

"Whirrr....." Soon, the car door slowly opened automatically, letting in the outside air.

Ma’el set his right foot on the ground, stepping out of the car, seeing countless smiling faces and a few with funny expressions at the base entrance.

"Ma’el....!"

Gilbert shouted first, unable to resist rushing forward for a hug with Ma’el. Finally, they reunited here.

Perhaps knowing what he was about to shout, everyone at the base entrance together laughed and shouted, "Welcome Home.....!!"

Holding back tears of emotion, Ma’el stepped forward. After the European Cup, everything might be different, but this place remained his home, always reminding him of the warmth when he first began playing football.

He was the European champion, an Arsenal player, a good friend to his joyful teammates, and the beloved striker of the coaches.

A new year belonged to them, starting from today.