From Arsenal to the Ball God

Ma’el headed to the locker room to put on his shin guards. Along the way, he high-fived all his teammates one last time, offering each other simple words of encouragement.

”Slap...!”

As he high-fived Deschamps last, the latter inquired, ”There is still European Cup closing ceremony time, President Hollande wants to send Mr. Michel to come and greet everyone. He wants our opinion. What do you think?”

After listening, Ma’el slightly smirked. Given Michel’s love for football, this was probably his own idea.

”I think we should pass,” he replied aloud, mainly because everyone’s focus is highly concentrated now. Michel coming down might easily disrupt their emotions. ”Let everyone focus on preparing for the match, it’s starting soon.”

Deschamps nodded in agreement, probably sharing the same thought.

”Clap clap...!”

After confirming Ma’el’s opinion, he seized the time and clapped his hands, saying, ”Emphasize to the defensive players at the back, you will bear a heavy responsibility, and must stay fully focused at all times!

”Maintain your formations well, don’t break off, don’t just focus on the ball and neglect the player, don’t fall for moves, and try not to make mistakes, okay?

”This isn’t the youth league, neither domestic leagues where mistakes can be corrected slowly. In a match like this, if you miss something due to a mistake, most of the time you won’t get a chance to make it right!

”You could say, the effort since childhood, the tactical and technical cultivation, and self-corrections have led to today! This is the day to test your final accomplishments!”

”Clap clap...!” The players in midfield and defense clapped, indicating they understood and would adjust themselves to the best state.

Deschamps ceased further communication with the players; in matches like these, excessive motivation isn’t necessary... let the players quietly think about what they should do later.

He believed that this group of lads, averaging in their twenties, knew what kind of arena they stood on.

”Beep beep!” The assembly whistle sounded again outside the locker room, the final reminder.

”Let’s go, brothers!”

Ma’el led the France team players out of the locker room, taking the lead to shake hands all the way with the accompanying staff, then walked solemnly towards the player tunnel.

”Dong dong dong... dun dun dun...!!”

Solemn and serious symphony played outside, making the earth seem to tremble slightly; it was the signal for the start of the closing ceremony.

”Oh... Oh...!!” The hoarse shouts of the fans intertwined with it, creating a solemn and prestigious atmosphere.

The grand event, had officially begun!

”Thud... thud...!”

Ma’el could hear his own footsteps, wearing Puma’s custom-designed ’lm7’ shoes, step by step towards the highest altar of European football.

Taking a deep breath, he felt his heart pounding vigorously; unconsciously, he calculated that every three beats allowed him to step forward twice... maintaining this rhythm, he continued stepping forward.

Since arriving in this world, he couldn’t count how many paths he traversed or from what starting point he ran to where.

He only understood that the boy who once worried about his shoes and whether he could pursue his football dream, now wore his signature shoes and as captain led a team onto the European Cup final stage!

Such change can be called a rebirth and transformation!

”Thud thud...!”

Ma’el started jogging, eager to see the European Cup closing ceremony. To him, it was a celebration for reaching here, a private coronation of sorts, quite meaningful.

At the end of the player tunnel, he took the hand of a young ball boy, then saw the dazzling light show glimmering at the Warsaw National Stadium.

”Swoosh! Swoosh!”

On the east and west sides, the base of each tier’s LED screen darted blue and red lights. It should represent France and Spain, converging rapidly, about to clash.

”Boom!!”

At the moment of their intense collision, all the stadium lights shut off, everyone’s gaze irresistibly drawn to follow those two lights towards the sky.

”Whoosh... swoosh...!” Up there, dozens of large fireworks shot up, brightening the entire night sky!

”Aaahhh.....!” Everyone’s emotions in the field instantly were at a climax, watching the sky with excitement, many unable to hold back tears.

Being part of such a grand celebration, even as an audience, was enough for them to remember a lifetime!

”Clap clap...!”

Ma’el and the France players started clapping spiritedly, stunned into silence by the scene, each watching with wide eyes.

Just the light show itself might not have achieved this, but the significance linked to it—soon stepping onto the final stage—added to the grandeur and courage.

”Swoosh swoosh!” The top-tier spotlights flashed back on, revealing two young boys on the field’s center, representing host countries Poland and Ukraine. Each held a whistle.

”Beep!!” Leaning forward, they blew hard, with the on-site DJ releasing a corresponding whistle, marking the official start of the European Cup closing ceremony.

Hundreds of dancers in green and orange outfits rushed to the field from all directions, first gathering to perform dances featuring the host countries’ national characteristics.

Soon after, some held hands encircling the entire field, others in the center forming a goal shape, and still others forming a whistle shape.