From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 404 - 115: Two Miracle Balls! Amelia’s Exclusive Interview! Turin, Receiving the Golden Boy Award Trophy!

"If in the end we yield nothing, it would be a heavy blow to this budding team."

He rubbed his hair, noticing some spots still not dry, and continued, "Other things... from small to big, I’ll pursue victory in every match, Player of the Month, and every award I can strive for."

"After all, I’ve said early on, my goal is to take all the awards."

"Seems like there’s nothing else? Anyway, my performance this season won’t win me the Golden Ball Award, haha, maybe next season or the one after."

Amelia always looked at him with a smile, and after he finished speaking, she asked the next question.

"....."

"....."

The two kept chatting like this, all the way to Manchester International Airport, still talking.

Before boarding, seeing the camera about to be turned off, Amelia asked a question she was eager to ask, "Have you thought about finding a girlfriend? What kind of girl do you want?"

"I have thought about it."

The wind was strong in front of the plane, blowing Ma’el’s hair up. After contemplating for a moment, he seriously said, "I might need someone who can accompany me, who can provide comfort at any moment."

Amelia nodded with shining eyes, had the cameraman turn off the hand-held camera, and led everyone onboard.

Peter instructed those beside him, "Once on the plane, cut out this section first, we’ll reshoot some parts later, it’s going out tonight."

"Okay."

...

Exiting Turin’s airport, it was already past 9 PM, and the group hurriedly boarded a prepared business car, heading towards a conference center in the city center.

"We’ve arrived in Turin, Ma’el is about to receive his career’s first major personal honor trophy."

Amelia joyfully smiled in front of the camera, introducing the scene before pointing the microphone at Ma’el, "I’d like to ask, what does the Golden Boy Award mean to you?"

Ma’el didn’t think for long, he had an answer ready for this question, "It means I’ve climbed a moderately high peak, now, it’s time to aim for the highest one."

"Golden Ball Award?"

"Yes, and the European Golden Boot, Best Player in Europe, and many more awards."

"Haha... Someone once said, you spend over 10,000 pounds a week maintaining your team? And live in a place with a weekly rent of over 10,000 pounds? Fixed expenses exceeding 30,000 pounds?"

"About right, a good living environment provides me better mood and motivation, team members ensure my good health, I’ll still add a personal doctor, driver, etc.

"As social media followers grow, I’ll consider adding positions for internet operations, it’s under consideration.

"Though the weekly expense may exceed 50,000 pounds, the benefits it brings are quite apparent, one must be willing to invest in oneself, using money to find professionals, being hands-on is foolish."

The two chatted for a while, and the vehicle arrived at the conference center entrance.

Ma’el was looking forward to a red carpet leading to the drop-off point, only to see a few pieces near the entrance... It seems he’ll have to wait until next year’s Golden Ball ceremony to walk a red carpet like those stars.

After getting out of the car, he took a few deep breaths, preparing for an important moment in his life, and walked towards the door.

Upon stepping onto the red carpet, he felt a very strange feeling, a tremor throughout his body.

"Congratulations." An Italian hostess at the entrance gestured to him, offering an English blessing.

Ma’el nodded in response, entered the venue, and saw Mendes in front of a billboard, as well as his uncle and aunt.

They came too?

Ma’el’s eyes lit up, looking at Mendes, knowing it was all Mendes’ doing.

"Surprise!"

Mendes approached him, pointing to Clément and Betty, "I invited them to today’s event in advance, didn’t tell you."

"Of course." Ma’el hugged him briefly, then came to his uncle and aunt, embracing them together.

"You’ve become accomplished." Uncle Clément gazed at him full of emotion, tearing up, "We can only sincerely congratulate and bless you, and still fear a bit... We almost ruined you back then."

Ma’el patted him to signify it’s okay, then went to his aunt Betty, the person who raised him with toil since childhood, for a hug.

Due to his frequent remittances back home, the family’s living standard improved significantly, and everyone’s complexion appeared much better.

Betty’s face showed no signs of the frostbite from before, only a rosy glow, "I’m proud of you, Clément is too, and your brothers and sisters all consider you an honor.

"When people learn we are Ma’el’s family, we receive many privileges, the teachers at school especially care for them, haha... Many neighbors even recorded blessing videos for you, to show you later.

"The teachers in the children’s classes asked me to get your autograph, but I didn’t promise them, just told you to see what you think."

"I’ll give it to them." Ma’el patted Betty’s back, parted from her, and under Mendes’ introduction came to a place.

"This is the chief editor of the Torino Sports Paper, Vachago, the person in charge of this award ceremony."

A middle-aged man who seemed very seasoned came over upon his introduction, congratulating, "Congratulations, while I can’t disclose the exact vote count, I can tell you, this is the most decisive edition.

"Haha... I hope saying so makes you happier, my life philosophy is to fully enjoy such important moments."

He pointed at himself, then at Mendes, "Just like today, it’s not only your enjoyment, I will enjoy, Mr. Mendes will enjoy it, your family will enjoy it too."

Ma’el nodded, sincerely said, "I share your view, let’s enjoy it all."

Vachago put his arm around his shoulder, led him to a place, and gestured towards a high stage covered with a black cloth.

"Thank you."

Ma’el knew it was the Golden Boy Award trophy, he approached with excitement, took a final deep breath, and yanked off the black cloth.

In an instant, the true appearance of the Golden Boy Award presented itself before his eyes... It’s a small ball somewhat resembling the Golden Ball Award trophy, with some different design details, like the hand support, base, etc.

But Italy’s craftsmanship needs no worry; from Ma’el’s perspective, it’s an even better-looking trophy than the Golden Ball Award.

And this is the one-time-only-in-a-lifetime prestigious award for every player — the Golden Boy Award trophy!

Ma’el reached out to touch it, felt a chill, but the warmth from his hands soon heated it up, he picked it up, holding it in his hands... A strong sense of fulfillment and honor surged inside.

"Clap clap clap...!"

A round of applause erupted, Vachago, Mendes, uncle and aunt, Amelia, Peter, and others, along with all the hostesses, celebrating with applause.

They all witnessed the moment Ma’el raised the Golden Boy Award, and everyone heightened their expectations for his future.

Indeed, countless social media and television viewers likely admired this scene, or awaited viewing photos of it.

"Click click!" The reporters from Football Record followed Ma’el inside, securing the best positions and capturing the finest photos.

Amelia couldn’t resist at last, stepping forward to take many photos of Ma’el with Mendes, and family group shots.

"Thank you...!"

Finally, with Ma’el lifting the Golden Boy Award trophy in a loud thanksgiving, everyone gathered for a group photo to conclude this award ceremony.

An essential moment turned into a microcosm, forming a series of crucial photos.

However, Ma’el’s feelings will last a very long time, although this feeling will gradually diminish, it won’t disappear.

Until he retires, he can point to this trophy and loudly tell people, "This is the first major achievement of my professional career!"

At this point, everything concerning the Golden Boy Award has settled, and Ma’el claims the 2011 Golden Boy crown!

...

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