Becoming a football god from Arsenal

Chapter 107 Big Winner Maher! Parade Celebration! Goodbye Sheffield!! (Two in One)

"The latest news from the BBC: Sheffield United won the 10-11 Championship with a record-breaking score!

"The team's 17-year-old striker Maher won the Golden Boot Award and the Assist King Award with 40 goals and 27 assists, breaking both records!"

The next day, as most mainstream leagues had not yet ended, the Championship, which decided the champion and the first two promotion spots a week or two earlier, suddenly became the focus of attention of the entire British football world and even European football world.

This happens every season, when the champions of leagues such as the Premier League and La Liga have not yet been decided, or the award ceremony has not yet begun.

People always congratulate the secondary league first to warm up for the upcoming championship wave.

By the way, let’s pay attention to which secondary teams have created epics this year and quietly completed a wonderful season in a less popular place!
"Sky Sports! The 17-year-old Maher will land at the Emirates Stadium next season and return to London. With 67 goals in the Championship League in a single season, is he the hope for Arsenal's revival?
"With Fabregas' transfer controversy looming, can he be the future tactical core of Arsenal?"

On this day, fans who originally didn't care much about the Championship League all saw the extremely popular videos and posts about the "Champions League Champions" on their mobile phones, which instantly attracted their attention.

On weekdays, no matter how happily the Championship players laugh, or how passionately they slide on their knees to celebrate, they will not get excited.

Even when they hear that someone in the Championship has broken some record, they will mostly shake their heads.

Anyway, it's not the top league, it's the secondary league, which means they are not the highest level. They can't even watch the top league, so who would pay attention to the secondary league? !

No matter how much you brag about the secondary league, why don’t you come to the top league to break records?
But this day was different. When I saw the Sheffield United players wearing red and white jerseys lifting the championship trophy with joy, I thought that they were about to enter the Premier League next season.
Some people immediately became curious and wanted to see which team was promoted to the Premier League this year, especially the champion among the promoted teams!
At this time, news such as "record-breaking high scores", "17-year-old player's '40 goals and 27 assists'", and "Arsenal youngster 'leads the team to promotion to the Premier League' in the headlines seem particularly eye-catching.

Everyone turned their attention here, and after seeing a series of shocking data, they quickly shared the matter with their friends to help ferment public opinion.

In addition, with major media outlets continuing to build up momentum, the popularity of Sheffield United and Maher swept across Europe and even spread throughout the world of football.

“The Guardian, we retrieved Maher’s statistics for this season and found something horrifying.

"He scored more than 25 goals from outside the penalty area, 38 with his right foot, 1 with his left foot after dribbling past the goalkeeper, and 1 with a header!
"Championship defenders are by no means foolish defenders, they have strong bodies and fierce confrontation habits, but why can't they defend against a player who can't kick with his left foot?
“That’s not even mentioning his incredible shooting and passing abilities!
"I don't know if it's because in the Championship League, from the perspective of the Guardian's football experts, he has the best level in these two abilities!"

Soon, a large number of fans left comments on these posts, stirring up this wave of popularity.

In terms of discussion, there was relatively little discussion about Sheffield United. After everyone congratulated and praised them, there was really nothing else to say.

But it’s different with the players. Maher, who already has a certain degree of attention, has completely caused a frenzy in European football after this incident.

“Mael! When his stats were double 10, I was stunned and expected double 20; when he really was double 20, I was speechless and expected him to be No. on both lists;

“When he really topped the double charts, I was completely numb and didn’t know how to evaluate him!”

"Evaluation?! Not only do I not know how to evaluate it, I can't even imagine how a 17-year-old player can achieve such stats?"

"Yes, even for a star player in his prime, this statistic is incredible."

"Someone is still judging and imagining, and I can't even feel him. Can you understand that feeling?

"It's as if this person doesn't exist at all. Capital and data networks have joined forces to create a fake player to deceive us!"

"Enjoy the football he brings, it's a feast of goals from long range and inside shots!"

"The best player in the first half of the Championship! First in the scorer list, first in the assist list! He led the team to promotion with 103 points! Look at his achievements! Next season, the defenders in the Premier League will tremble!"

This time the popularity is higher, there are more weird people, and the mixed comments section is starting to intensify.

"It's still my previous point of view. It's just the Championship. Don't exaggerate too much! What if the expectations are too high and you can't even play as a starter at Arsenal next year?"

"I agree! Don't brag about a player who comes out. Are there any top players in the Championship?! If he is really better than the Premier League strikers, why didn't he stay at Arsenal?"

"Yes, if he is really as strong as you say, why would Wenger loan him out? Is he afraid of winning the championship?"

They have their own logic, and it is difficult for ordinary people to refute it with theory, so the argument turns into a war of public opinion.

In any case, after this time, Maher became the real winner.

The overwhelming popularity caused his social media traffic to surge in a short period of time!

Fans began searching for news about Maher on Facebook, Twitter and other websites, and they certainly started by watching highlights of his football games and his speeches in interviews, digging deeper into the stadium.

Where there is demand, there is a market. Many editors quickly emerged on major video websites and social media.

They added music to Maher's football highlights, and someone even used some editing techniques to make his videos look really explosive.

"Mael's long-range shot, high-energy mix!"

"Mael's cut-in shot collection!"

This type of search has basically become the top of the search bar soaring list on major platforms, and some even have 30,000 or 40,000 likes.

Later, as fans got to know Maher better and better, some of them became his fans and fell deeply in love with this player.

After getting tired of watching goal highlights, these people began to pay attention to every detail of Maher's life, desperately looking for news about this player.

——"Picture*2!"

—"To Norwich!"

Under one such post by Maher, many new fans rushed in and left many teasing comments.

"Beginning: Going to Norwich! - Ending: Losing 4-2!"

"Let's go! Hahahaha, I didn't expect to lose, did I? We lost miserably in that battle!"

"If Norwich didn't have those three points, they might not have been able to advance to the Premier League. Maher, you are worthy of being Norwich's biggest savior. You gave away three points first, and then scored the winning goal against Queen's Park, lifting Norwich into the Premier League!"

“Is it true that Norwich’s Carrow Road stadium will not have a statue of Maher?”

“Still posting selfies?”

"Which player loves to post selfies so much? Also, it's ok if you post some photos of your daily life, don't take photos with your face facing you, it makes me mad. Give me your address and I'll come to your room to teach you how to take photos."

After hanging out for a while, these people all liked and commented on Maher's latest post, and urged him to quickly post the photos taken on the day he won the championship.

It is true that there are urgings for updates everywhere in this world.

On May 5th, the day of the championship parade arrives, which is a large-scale celebration held by every championship team after the end of the season.

On this morning, Sheffield United officially announced the basic route of the championship parade and confirmed the time as 1pm.

The fans responded instantly. Starting from 11 o'clock, fans wearing Sheffield United's red and white striped jerseys rushed into the streets and stood on the side of the street waiting.

At twelve o'clock, the streets along the parade route were basically blocked, and tens of thousands of people came to the city center, and the number was still increasing.

Many people regretted not going to Queens Park Rangers on the day of their championship, so today they took their whole family out to watch the team’s championship glory in the city!

They all wore club scarves, and many waved small team flags, dyeing the entire street red.

Some fanatical people even climbed onto the top of the traffic light, sat there, waving flags and cheering, waiting for the team bus to show up.

“Wow!!”

At one o'clock, when the team car slowly appeared at the end of the road, roars suddenly filled the entire city center, countless flags fluttered in the wind, and everywhere you looked there were fanatical crowds.

They rushed towards the bus and surrounded it tightly, leaving only a small space for the bus to move forward.

So the huge vehicle slowly moved forward at a speed of 5-8 yards per kilometer, accepting the pilgrimage of people in the city of Sheffield.

"Oh!!" On the roof of the parade bus, the players raised the championship trophy one after another, cheered and enjoyed the fanatical gazes of the fans below.

Those who didn’t win the trophy that day finally realized their dream at this moment, and they all smiled foolishly with their big white teeth bared.

The main theme for them these two days was celebration. They celebrated by drinking with their families, going to nightclubs with their teammates, and going to hotels with their girlfriends. Apart from celebrating, it seemed that there was nothing else to do.

Fortunately, everything has an end. After today's parade celebration, they will usher in the summer offseason!
The holidays are coming!
“Ooo ...

Maher opened a bottle of champagne and jumped and sprayed it at Gilbert and the players.

He watched the white foam rush out of the bottle like a dragon, hitting everyone's clothes to form a shock wave, and he opened his mouth wide and laughed while spraying.

"Ah!" A wailing sound was heard. The players who were sprayed by Maher first curled up their bodies to cover their faces. After gradually realizing that they were soaked, they no longer cared and rushed to the place where the champagne was stored.

As several bottles of champagne were opened and aimed at Maher, the champagne in his hand just ran out, so he had to raise his hand and said, "Let's talk it over!"

In his eyes, these bottle mouths did not look like champagne bottle mouths at this moment, but more like the muzzles of tank guns.

"Swish. Swish!!" Seven or eight beams of white foam were shot coldly and mercilessly towards Mael's position, washing all his clothes in an instant, and he curled up his body.

"Hahaha"

"coming!"

"Help!"

By the end, everyone was having so much fun that they didn't care about anything. They just picked up champagne and sprayed each other with it, even covering Gary Speed's head with sticky liquid.

When they were tired of spraying, they leaned against the fence on the roof, opened a few bottles of beer, and drank while looking at the dense crowd of marchers below, with satisfaction on their faces.

What could be better than this?
Talk loudly with the best teammates, laugh loudly, drink beer happily, celebrate the important moments of life, and there are tens of thousands of enthusiastic fans around, waving and cheering at them!
"If I could choose."

Gilbert burped and raised his right hand with a dazed look in his eyes: "I would like to live like this every day! Live in this beautiful world every day!"

"Come on."

Maher was also a little drunk, and laughed dizzily: "This is just the Championship. There are so many honors waiting for us ahead. We will live a better life than this."

"Yes, I want to win the Champions League!" Gilbert clenched his fists, suddenly remembering that he had just turned 18 and was full of confidence.

"I"

Maher was also a little moved when he saw him making a wish. He thought for a moment and waved his hand seriously, saying, "I want to win the Grand Slam!"

A burst of laughter broke out nearby, and many people thought that he and Gilbert were drunk and were joking without restraint.

They also rushed to imitate each other. Some said they wanted to win the Premier League championship, some said they wanted to win the World Cup, and some said they wanted to win the America's Cup, etc.

Mael looked at them, smiled faintly and shook his head.

Indeed, he is still too young and has not experienced enough. It would be good if he is not regarded as a madman if he talks about winning the Grand Slam.

But he will always keep this idea firmly in his mind and move towards it step by step!

"Mael." Gilbert turned around at this time, his body swaying but his expression was serious: "As you said, I am serious this time."

Maher's heart suddenly moved. He hooked his arm around Gilbert's shoulder and said like a close friend, "I'm serious, too."

At this moment, he forgot everything else, his previous life, his different soul, stress, fatigue, etc. They were all immersed in the atmosphere of the moment, and made their wishes in high spirits.

They are in their prime and have a bright future waiting for them!

Time flies, and when the old goals have been successfully achieved, it is time to look up and move forward!
When the bus slowly drove into the parking lot next to Bramall Lane, a dense crowd of people stopped the bus, as if some event was going to take place.

Looking closely, this group of fans were neatly dressed in Sheffield United jerseys, team hats and scarves around their necks - a complete set of all three.

Obviously, they are not ordinary fans of the team, but an organization of die-hard fans who often go to away games to cheer for the team!

"Got to go."

Gilbert looked at the familiar faces below, and then looked at the stadium in front of him that carried many of their memories and sweat, and suddenly felt reluctant to leave.

"Yes."

Maher waved to some fans he had met and turned his head towards Bramall Lane.

He has played at least twenty league games here, and each one was extremely important and crucial.

I really can't bear to let go.

Just standing here and watching, he felt as if he was back on the day of the original game. He could vaguely hear the cheers and roars from inside that pierced the clouds and split the rocks, making him fall into an uncontrollable trance.

"Did Mr. Wenger say anything?"

Gilbert looked up at Maher and asked, "Should we return to the team first, or take a few days off first?"

“He let us decide for ourselves.”

Maher gave him the answer, and then he suddenly felt something was wrong in his heart, and his teammates around him seemed to be silent.

He walked around Gilbert and looked in their direction, and found that they were all looking at him with smirks, emotion, and a bit of reluctance.

They celebrated for three consecutive days. Even on the last day, they hadn't said goodbye properly and used the celebration to divert attention.

"Bang!" At this moment, a loud noise suddenly sounded, and a huge banner was suddenly dropped from the west stand of Bramall Lane, filling the entire side of the stand.

This was an extremely shocking scene. A banner over a hundred meters long was instantly thrown down, making a 'rustling' sound as it unfolded. Its appearance gradually appeared in front of everyone.

Maher and Gilbert subconsciously turned their heads and gradually saw that it was a giant poster with only the two of them.

One of the two people in the picture is preparing for a violent shot, and the other one leaps over the ball with his body almost parallel to the ground.

"Oh" Gilbert hugged his head and trembled all over. He seemed to know why these fans appeared here.

However, he never imagined that it was because of him and Mael.

Maher didn't say anything, but a surprised smile quickly appeared on his face. He felt numb all over and goose bumps appeared on his skin.

This should be a farewell ceremony!

When the poster was finally fully unfolded, the bold line at the bottom attracted everyone's attention - "Bye! Maёl! Bye! Guilbert!"

What a farewell!

Sheffield United planned this grand farewell in advance and planned a surprise to thank Maher and Gilbert for their contributions to the team!

"This"

The two looked at each other, both feeling a little speechless. They turned to look at their teammates and coaching staff and found that they had known about this for a long time and should have kept it from them.

"Bye! Bye!" Loud shouts came from all around, as Sheffield United's diehard fans organized and shouted while holding up small banners and distinctive team scarves.

Written on it were farewell words to the two people, some of which were written neatly, while others looked like scribbles.

"I will always remember you!"

"farewell!"

“I wish you more success and thank you for bringing joy and honor to Sheffield!”

"Mael! I love you!"

"Gilbert! Don't feel dim just because the sun is so bright!"

"you'll never Walk Alone!"

But no matter what, these were the farewell gifts they had prepared long ago. They had thought about them for a long time and wrote them stroke by stroke, expressing their truest feelings.

Seeing these sincere farewell words, the two were immediately moved. This scene had a strong impact on them.

"It's not in vain."

Gilbert's face gradually turned red, and he was very emotional, with tears in his eyes. "Mael, our trip was not in vain!"

"of course not."

Maher looked down and saw many fathers carrying their sons and daughters on their shoulders, letting them hold up their hands and say farewell with confused faces, which was very adorable.

He told Gilbert: "What we leave to Sheffield United will always be there, passed down from generation to generation."

After saying that, he turned around and looked at the Sheffield United players and coaching staff who had already prepared to say goodbye. Even though they would most likely meet in the Premier League next year, the jerseys they were wearing and their circumstances would be different.

"Mael."

Januhans was the first to come up this time, shaking his head reluctantly. They were the most tacit offensive partners. "Come on, I'll wait for the day when you win the Grand Slam, hahaha"

The two of them hugged each other, and Januhans walked towards Gilbert behind him. They have been partners for a season and have a deep friendship.

"Mael!"

Evans came up and hugged Mahel. He was reluctant to let go and kept patting Mahel's back with a nostalgic look on his face.

In the past, they only hugged like this when they scored a goal, but this is unlikely to happen again in the future.

Evans finally increased his strength and hugged Maher tightly before letting go. "Do your best when you go to Arsenal and don't lose face for us."

He left a cool remark, smiled and turned away.

"come on!"

"Wait until the day you become a superstar."

"If we meet again next season, I will have to defend you, hahaha."

"Now that I've broken the Championship's goal record, let's go to the Premier League and break Alan Shearer and Andy Cole's records as well!"

"You're making it too hard for him, haha, but he's still young, I believe him!"

Maher and other Sheffield United players hugged each other and expressed their blessings, and the feeling of reluctance continued to intensify.

Gary Speed ​​was the second to last to come up. They didn't talk much on the day of the championship celebration, but now they finally had the chance.

"Mr. Speed."

Maher looked into his eyes and saw that he no longer had the depression he had before. "If you are still coaching Sheffield United next year, I'll see you in the Premier League. I hope you can lead this team well."

"I also hope that."

Gary Speed ​​sighed, came up and squeezed Maher's arm, and said with emotion: "These shoulders now carry too many people's expectations and too many people's sustenance. Don't put too much pressure on them.

"As a former Premier League player who has only played a lot of games, I don't have much to say to a player of your talent.

“The only experience I have learned is that if you are hesitant and indecisive, then you should stop thinking and just focus on doing your job well. Keep moving forward, keep moving forward, rest when you are tired, and keep moving forward when you are well.

"One day, you will reach the destination you want. Even if your mood will be different, you will finally have put your mind at ease."

"So many people are proud of you. It is my luck to meet you at the beginning of my coaching career. Come on! I will come to London to see you often."

At this point, he lowered his head and smiled: "Come to think of it, you have also helped me to solve a problem. So let's follow the old rules and make a bet."

When Maher heard him say this, he actually had a guess, but he still smiled and said, "How do you bet?"

Gary Speed ​​thought for a moment, then looked up and said, "If you win the Premier League, I will tell you personally this secret that I have never told anyone else."

"Okay."

Maher accepted it happily and gave him a final high five: "I'm waiting for that day."

Jolson was the last one to come up. He was fine when he sent Mahel back halfway, but now he seemed a little embarrassed.

"Mr. Jolson."

Maher took the initiative to step forward and gave Jolson the customary hug. This scout who discovered him and the first assistant coach who gave him a "value card" in the early stage of the season naturally held a different position in his heart.

He recalled when he first arrived and smiled, "I tried my best."

He didn't mention Gilbert, so let him tell Jolson himself later.

"Okay." Jolson's answer was simple, but his eyes were blurred due to a soreness, and he always felt like something was about to fall.

After saying goodbye to everyone, Maher let out a long breath, picked up a bottle of beer and took a sip, and sighed: "It's quite tiring."

As the bus headed southeast and continued the parade celebration, the atmosphere became lively again.

Maher came to the railing, looked at the fans who were still holding up their farewell banners, and then looked at the Bramall Lane Stadium which was getting farther and farther away.

He swung his right arm and waved goodbye to the fans: "Bye! I love you guys!!"

"Bye!! Maher!!"

"Ke Dale asked me to tell you something. If you come to Sheffield next time, he will treat you to a drink! Not only him, but his son will too!"

"Mael, we'll be waiting for you at Bramall Lane in your home team uniform!"

Maher turned his head and no longer looked at the scene behind him. He noticed that Gilbert next to him was shaking slightly, but he did not go forward to comfort him, but just looked straight ahead.

Southeast, that's the direction of London!
This time, he really wants to go back!

(End of this chapter)