From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: First Endorsement and Pay Raise

After the match day ended, Ma’el returned to his normal life and immediately began extra practice days.

Just like last time, he spent about a day and a half recovering, focusing more on practicing long shots and coordination during this period.

Although coordination is physical training, it mostly involves balance exercises with resistance bands and ladders, which aren’t very intensive.

After the game, Ma’el’s social media followers were increasing by more than 3000 daily, gradually decreasing day by day.

When relaxing and strolling on the street with Gilbert, they were increasingly recognized and often invited for autographs and photos.

This feeling was still quite enjoyable; at least he hadn’t tired of it yet, still in the fresh phase of ’fame.’

”Maybe I’ll never get tired of it?”

He sometimes pondered this, but it’s hard to say what the future holds.

Time gradually moved past August and into September.

This month, they had a total of 5 Championship League matches to play, which was considered a tight schedule.

The Championship’s schedule is a bit different from the Premier League’s; they have 46 matches to play each season, making for a very long and tight line of matches.

This is also why Championship teams seldom secure a surprise victory in the FA Cup or League Cup; the league pressure is already significant, and they don’t have the deep bench strength to compare with Premier League Teams.

Sheffield United’s fifth Championship League match was on September 11, and there was still time.

Ma’el wasn’t too anxious and continued his training until September 9, when he finally made a breakthrough in coordination.

[Skills: Stable Level 2]

[Skill Level Progress: (1/800)]

[Utility: You gradually understand your body, becoming more stable when performing high-difficulty moves, with your balance increasing significantly!]

A wonderful sensation washed over him, leaving Ma’el standing on the training ground for a long time, as the improvement in coordination, like power, gave him a sense of security.

He felt he would be more composed when making breakthrough moves, and the impact from physical confrontations would be lessened!

Don’t underestimate these points; this is also a capability that determines his upper limit.

With coordination, other high-level skills become more solid, and there’s no fear of an unstable foundation when enhancing them!

”Next is speed.”

Ma’el smiled, glancing at the speed’s progress, knowing that by the 15th at the latest, he’d upgrade this skill to Level 2.

By then, his physical attributes would be fully sufficient, ready to strive for excellence!

While having a meal in the dining hall, he checked his Facebook messages on his phone, seeing a dozen messages from one person.

”£3000! After tax!”

”Can you see it, little star, it’s after tax, and the price is negotiable. You only need to sign on the materials of applicable wine glasses and pitchers, as well as some scarves and hats, to help organize an event.”

”£3500!”

”£4000! Little star, this is truly the final limit, we’re not a chain store.”

This seemed familiar... it was an endorsement invitation from a sports bar. Last time, he said he’d go, but the match delayed it.

With nothing better to do, after finishing his meal, Ma’el called Gilbert to take a taxi to the fan bar.

”£4000?”

On the way, Gilbert couldn’t stop asking questions, his face a mix of teasing and envy, ”Just for signing a few autographs, and it’s £4000?”

”Be careful not to get scammed, Ma’el! It’s no wonder people worry about setting you up.”

”We’ll know once we’re there.” Ma’el replied as he looked out the window.

Ten minutes later, they arrived at a street lined with bars.

With a rough count, there were at least dozens of bars on both sides of the street, varying in size, and many with football elements.

Looking at the messages in the private chat, Ma’el finally identified the bar and instructed the driver, ”That’s the one.”

He and Gilbert quickly entered, finding it to be a fan bar about 300 square meters in size, with its interior covered in Sheffield United’s team logos and photos.

On closer inspection, there were photos of many former Sheffield stars in the bar, albeit from a long time ago.

”You’re here, please wait a moment.”

Seeing them enter, a bartender at the front quickly headed toward the back.

Soon, an enthusiastic old man emerged from the back of the bar, grinning widely and reaching out to Ma’el, ”Finally, you’re here, my friend.”

”I’ve been waiting for you for a long time; your performance in the last match really won over everyone in the bar.”

After Ma’el and Gilbert completed the greeting formalities, the old man settled them at a table near the bar and then left. Shortly, he returned carrying a beer barrel under his arm.

Hmm... it kind of looked like the LOL beer barrel.

”I’m Kedao’Er, I’ve run this bar for forty-five years.”

While busy pouring drinks for the two, Kedao’Er introduced the bar, ”The bar has been refurbished three times, but the last renovation led to a significant drop in customers.”

”So, I thought of emulating other fan bars, inviting a player from Sheffield to endorse and promote the bar.”

”After all, we old fogeys need to learn these new promotional tricks.”

After saying this, Kedao’Er leaned back and laughed heartily, ”Thank you for coming, and for bringing this gentleman... how shall I address you?”

Gilbert felt embarrassed, prompting him to say, ”Gilbert.”

He felt a bit insulted; why didn’t people remember his name but remembered Ma’el’s?

Did he really have such an ordinary face?

Subsequently, Kedao’Er discussed the endorsement requirements with Ma’el.

In summary, Ma’el needed to sign around a hundred autographs and assist in promoting the bar on his social media, inviting fans to watch games there.

Then he could receive a £4000 post-tax payment.

”It’s quite straightforward.”

Ma’el smiled and accepted the proposal; for him now, nothing was easier than earning this money.

He then began the signing task, diligently working, with a slight jolt in his head with each name he signed.

+£40 +£40... +£40!

Gilbert stood by, looking on eagerly, filled with envy.

Once all the autographs were done, Ma’el took a sip of beer and smiled comfortably, ”Old man, do let me know if you have more jobs like this in the future.”

”Me too,” Gilbert raised his head, eager to seize the opportunity.

Kedao’Er excitedly put away the scarves and pitchers, satisfied, ”Definitely, definitely... In fact, I’m trying this out with a hope it works.”

”I hope to retire with this bar and still watch matches here for the next twenty years.”

He seemed to be a die-hard fan, having supported the team his whole life... Ma’el’s mind was stirred, ”When the season is over, we’ll definitely come for a drink or two.”

”Absolutely.” Kedao’Er pulled out £4000 in cash, handing it to Ma’el, delighting, ”Here’s your payment; I’ll send your tax statement to your phone later.”

”I’ll be here waiting, and you’ll have a free meal when you visit!”

”Thanks.” Ma’el intended to chat a bit more, but suddenly received a call from Jorson.

Two minutes later, he hung up, eyes gleaming with surprise, ”Gilbert, Arsenal wants to give both of us a pay raise.”

”Really?”

Gilbert was on the verge of jumping with excitement, ”For both of us? How much more?”

”Not sure yet, let’s talk about it when we get back.”

Ma’el gathered his things, bid farewell to Kedao’Er, and hurried out to hail a taxi.

For some reason, how have all these good things started happening lately?