From Arsenal to the Ball God

On March 7th, the official Transfermarkt platform finally updated its player valuations, releasing new data.

This immediately captured the attention of major media outlets and football fans, leading to a surge in reports as the highest value rankings and this period’s valuation increase chart spread swiftly worldwide.

”NO.1: Lionel Messi.....100M!”

”NO.2: Cristiano Ronaldo.....90M!”

”NO.3: Iniesta.....70M!”

”NO.4: Wayne Rooney.....65M!”

”.....”

The most attention, of course, goes to the world’s top-ranked players. Their official valuations all saw significant increases.

In terms of Euros, Messi’s valuation surpassed one billion for the first time, setting a historical high on the Transfermarkt official platform; no one had reached a valuation of one billion Euros before.

Of course, Transfermarkt valuations are primarily predictions based on market and commercial value.

In actual player transactions, valuations often exceed or fall below Transfermarkt estimates by tens of millions, which is normal and related to player contracts, release clauses, and other factors.

For example, in 2008, Ronaldo’s Transfermarkt valuation was only 60 million Euros, but when he moved to Real Madrid, he left Manchester United with a transfer fee of 80 million pounds, amounting to about 94 million Euros at that time’s exchange rate.

Again, proposing to Barça one or even two billion Euros, would Barça really sell Messi?

Offering Real Madrid one or two billion Euros, would Real Madrid part with Ronaldo, who is dominating Champions League and La Liga?

It’s unlikely they would.

Next to the value rankings, there’s a section for this period’s valuation increases, which has also drawn numerous fans’ attention, with many clicking through to browse.

Ranking at the top are those in the ’Highest Value Rankings,’ albeit in a different order.

It makes sense, given their already high valuations and the attention and influence they wield, even a single increase could easily involve tens of millions of Euros.

Competing with ordinary players is incredibly challenging.

”NO.9, Ma’el.....up 12M!”

On the valuation increase chart, many people quickly saw a name they weren’t familiar with, which surprisingly increased by 12 million Euros!

17 years old, total valuation 20 million Euros!

Clicking further reveals his team is Championship League’s Sheffield United!

”???”

Countless question marks appeared in the comments of various related reports, with questions about ’Who is Ma’el?’ spreading from European football to the global soccer world.

”17-year-old star conquering the Championship League! So far this season, has already scored 29 goals with 21 assists! Breaking the record with over 50 goal involvement!”—Spain’s Asi Bao

”More talented than Rooney? Championship Sheffield United’s young player Ma’el has appeared in mainstream media several times in the past six months, bringing a level of attention to Sheffield United that’s unusual for a ’Championship League team.’”—Dongqiu Emperor

”Championship’s highest value! In the latest Transfermarkt valuation update, Ma’el’s worth soared by 12 million Euros, reaching 20 million! While currently still playing for a Championship team, this valuation marks a new high in Championship history.”—United Kingdom’s The Guardian

”Comparable to Ronaldo? Born in Aix, young footballer Ma’el has already created 50 goal involvements in the Championship this season! However, he has yet to be selected for any level of France’s national teams!”—French Football chief editor

More media coverage emerged, drawing attention to this talented player in a league typically overlooked.

Unlike last time, many seasoned fans from various countries were already aware of him, with major forums sharing introductions about him, and social media showcasing his goals and assist highlights.

These posts and videos gained considerable traction rapidly, being shared by more and more people.

”Alien! A new alien has emerged! As long as he avoids significant injuries and setbacks, he’s certain to reach superstar heights!”

”Ma’el is genuinely on fire now; it seems the valuation speaks more clearly than previous reports about his stats, which some of you may not have noticed.”

”17 years old, worth 20 million? He must walk with a swagger; I truly didn’t expect a second-tier league like the Championship to yield a player worth 20 million.”

”When looking at his Championship League performance, it’s best to consider his age and monthly progress; it helps you understand better why he’s valued at this level.”

”The issue now is: would Wenger sell him to Arsenal for 20 million Euros? It’s unlikely; maybe try 30 million instead.”

”Let’s not overhype. He hasn’t been to the Premier League yet; it’s hard to say.”

”29 goals, 21 assists, not hyped? Still not hyped? You ask 17-year-old Rooney to try; see if he can manage even half these stats in the Championship? It’s just that Ma’el hasn’t been to the Premier League, giving the doubters some leverage.”

......

London, Chelsea training base.

Ancelotti had just sat down in his office for a sip of tea when a staff member walked over, holding a report sheet.

”Boss.”

The person placed the report down, saying, ”This is the updated player valuation after this period’s Transfermarkt update, along with the valuation changes for players we’re keeping an eye on.”

Ancelotti didn’t rush to pick it up; he first recalled a name: ”Did you look at this report? How did Ma’el’s valuation increase?”

”I did.”

The staff nodded and explained, ”He went up 12 million Euros, putting his total valuation at 20 million Euros.”

”20 million?!”

Ancelotti almost spat out the tea he had just drunk. Setting down the cup, he was preparing to express his amazement, but on second thought, 20 million did seem like a fairly reasonable valuation.

If it were lower... he might have been enraged at Transfermarkt staff for having too much prejudice against lower-tier leagues, failing to properly evaluate the player’s potential.

”Record-breaking, right?”

Ancelotti calmed himself, taking the tea cup to inquire aloud; many Premier League players don’t even have a valuation of 20 million Euros.... yet for a Championship player, this is truly unbelievable.

”Far surpassed the record.”

The staff smiled, saying, ”The summer window might be worth considering; Arsenal hasn’t fully paid off their debts, might not hold onto players too tightly.”

Ancelotti nodded, gesturing for them to leave, as he sat alone on the sofa, lost in thought while pinching his chin.

His face first showed a pensive expression, then gradually changed to desire, and finally was completely overtaken by intense greed, his eyes slightly narrowing.

Dialing a number, Ancelotti coughed twice, and as soon as the call was connected, he said, ”Boss, do you remember the Ma’el I mentioned earlier?”

”I was just about to talk to you about this, I just saw a report about him.”

The voice on the other end carried a bit of steadiness, a bit of confidence, ”Ancelotti, we have to buy this player. He will be Chelsea’s future, no matter the cost, I don’t care. Give me an approximate budget.”

”I estimate....”

Ancelotti thought for a moment, then provided an answer, ”It would be over 25 million pounds, otherwise Arsenal definitely won’t release him.”

”My expectation is at 30 million pounds.”

The voice on the other end smiled slightly, sounding in a good mood, ”Seems like my estimation of the player’s value is very close to yours. Maybe I should coach Chelsea in the future, hahaha.....!”

Ancelotti also laughed, he roughly understood that the boss was trying to tell him that if there’s a chance in the summer window, feel free to make offers.

Around 30 million pounds, just spend the money.

......

Manchester City, inside Carrington Training Base, noon training is about to start.

Old Lord Ferguson carrying a file, headed to the training ground to supervise training. He’s getting old, no longer conducts training, but stands by the side watching every day.

”Sir.” An assistant coach brought a file, handed it to Ferguson, ”Updated player values on Transfermarkt.”

Ferguson, chewing gum, waved slightly at him without taking it, ”The transfer period just ended, I don’t want to look at this. It can’t help my team.”

”The player you mentioned multiple times has risen by 12 million Euros.... total value reaching 20 million.” The assistant coach removed the file, didn’t insist, only telling Ferguson this point.

”Who?”

Ferguson initially didn’t pay much attention, but after two seconds he abruptly turned his head, eyes wide: ”Ma’el?”

”Yes.” The assistant coach nodded, smiling bitterly, ”He’s now the player with the highest value in the Championship, only 17 years old. I think we should try again?”

Ferguson’s gaze fixed on the training ground, he accelerated the chewing of his gum, a surge of emotions within, his brain rapidly processing.

”Does he like Arsenal?”

After a long time, he turned and asked seriously, ”Is there any understanding of his career plan or personality? Does he want championships or to develop step by step?”

”I don’t know.”

The assistant coach smiled bitterly and shook his head, ”The player really just emerged this season, not much mainstream reporting on him, and hasn’t done personal interviews, still a blank slate.”

”What about his agent?”

”I know this, it’s Mendes, signed for a while now.”

”Him again.....” Ferguson showed a faint smile, an old acquaintance, interacted many times, unfortunately the relationship isn’t particularly amicable.

He immediately thought of Ronaldo, recalling the disciple now battling at Bernabéu.

”Contact Mendes, ask if the player has thoughts about Manchester United.” Ferguson made arrangements, his face slightly flushed, emotions fluctuating noticeably.

”Alright.”

The assistant coach left, his main purpose in bringing this file today was actually to get the Old Lord to notice Ma’el again.

......

San Francisco, inside an office building.

INS founder Kevin Strom staring at a private message on the computer, biting his lower lip in hesitation.

”What’s wrong?” Someone walked over, patted his shoulder, and looked at his computer.

”A famous football player wants to partner with us, saying he can bring in 200,000 registered users.”

Kevin Strom noted down the ID from the private message, started searching on social media, indeed finding many news about ’Ma’el’, and recently there’s been extremely high buzz.

”What do we have to give?”

The person’s eyes lit up, smiling, ”Strom, we all know how excellent this social software is. As long as we pass this first step, get a certain volume of registered users, this software will definitely become a global sensation.

”If he really can help us, then we need to try our best to meet his conditions, this is an opportunity.”

”I know.”

Kevin Strom showed some hesitation, slightly furrowing his brows, ”But our valuation is only 30 million dollars, to achieve the financial expectation of $750,000, already divides 25% of the shares for financing.

”If we give more, I feel a bit reluctant, it would affect our motivation.”

After hearing this, the person was silent a while, suddenly his eyes lit up, ”Football players are all wealthy, can he invest some in us?”

”What are you thinking about?”

Kevin Strom chuckled lightly, remarking, ”I just saw he’s only 17 years old, how much money can a 17-year-old have?”

”Try it.”

The person then saw the reports about Ma’el on Strom’s computer, advising, ”He’s playing in Europe, and Europe happens to be the big market we most need to target, we can’t miss this chance.”

”What’s your plan?” Kevin Strom turned to look at him, seemingly swayed, ”Should I reply first, probe a little?”

”Mm.”

The person nodded, thought a moment, and suggested, ”Why not directly go to the United Kingdom? See his influence there, find a chance to privately discuss.”

”Okay.”

Kevin Strom checked the date, set the plan, ”Then depart on the 18th, hopefully he won’t disappoint us. I always feel a bit unreliable trusting a 17-year-old, even if he plays football.”

....

ps: Not tired today, definitely catching up aggressively