Becoming a football god from Arsenal

Chapter 278: Golden Globe Award Hot Candidates! Candidates Announced! Leading the Scoreboard!!

As time enters December, the whole year of 12 is gradually coming to an end.

For world football, this year has been a turbulent year and a year in which heroes emerged in large numbers!
Argentine striker Messi played at the highest level in his career thanks to his super-long and sustained form.

He scored 11 goals in the first 89 months, becoming the first super striker in history to have a chance to break the 100-goal record in a year, and is also very likely to win the unprecedented Ballon d'Or for the fourth consecutive time!

Cristiano Ronaldo, a Portuguese striker who also plays in the La Liga, was not much inferior to such a strong opponent. He scored more than 11 goals in the first 70 months and maintained his strong competitiveness.

What is even more commendable is that these two people, who are known as the two greatest heroes of their time, encountered a new and powerful opponent this year!
The 19-year-old young player Maher from Aix has stepped onto the historical stage of football and has become a competitor that the two have to pay attention to!
他在前11个月中同样打进了令人瞠目结舌的79球（11-12下半赛季31球+全年国家队24球+12-13目前的24球），制造进球也突破了100粒！
It can even be said that if Messi had not been in such explosive form this year and achieved a career high, judging by his and Ronaldo's performances in the past few years, Maher might have won the Golden Ball without any suspense.

It came out of nowhere and shortened the development time to the shortest possible, and directly won the highest award!
"Mael Messi!"

Recently, reports about the two have been constantly flooding the minds of fans on various platforms, and even spread outside the football circle, allowing most people around the world to hear about them.

Countless photos and videos appear on social media. Sometimes if you accidentally click on a video, you will most likely hear the following two voices.

"MessiOhhh!!"

"Ma-ehlMa-ehlWonderful goal!! Absolutely!"

Viral publicity and preparation began, like cell division, countless pieces of information invaded people's sight, making everyone involuntarily pay attention to the competition between the two for the Golden Ball.

Perhaps there is no need for data experts and football experts to make any further analysis and comments, as the fans have already formed an impression in their hearts - this year's Ballon d'Or will be a duel between Messi and Maher, and it will be difficult for Ronaldo to join in.

Or it could be Messi, the Argentine star who has a chance to hit 100 goals a year, having scored three goals in a row in the past three years and possessing tremendous influence and reputation!

Either it is the 90-year-old striker and French superstar Maher who sweeps all the awards in all the competitions he participates in and is expected to score 19+ goals in the year!

This is the influence of public opinion. Of course, the reason is that the performance of the two in the past year was good enough and dazzling enough to make this kind of communication tenable.

If it was another player who scored 20 goals in a year, people would not think of him as a favorite for the Ballon d'Or even if he was promoted enthusiastically.

On December 12, France Football released a blockbuster news: "The 1-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or is out! Barcelona and Real Madrid have the most! La Liga still maintains its top position!"

Click in and see that in this list, both Barcelona and Real Madrid have five players selected.

Barcelona: Messi, Pique, Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets

Real Madrid: Ronaldo, Casillas, Xabi Alonso, Ramos, Marcelo
In addition, the Colombian striker Falcao from Atletico Madrid is also on the list in La Liga. He has been in very good form this year and was ranked top on the UEFA list in the middle of the year.

11 people!
This is the La Liga during this period. Even if there are only three strong teams, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, they can still occupy half of the places on the candidate list for each major award!

After La Liga, it is the Premier League, and a total of four Premier League clubs have players selected.

Arsenal is ranked first, there is no doubt about that. They won three championships this year and also won the league championship with 100 points unbeaten. It is natural that the influence of the players has increased.

Not to mention Arsenal's new lineup in the new season, most of the Arsenal players from the old lineup last season are now firmly in the top position in the hearts of fans.

Among them, the Arsenal players who won the championship with Maher in France benefited the most, which can be seen in the final list.

Some people who would never have been on this list in their lifetime were selected for the first time and will have the opportunity to attend the final ceremony early next year!
Arsenal: Maher, Van Persie, Koscielny, Sagna
Following Arsenal are three Premier League powerhouse clubs: Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, each of which has one player on the list.

Chelsea: Karim Benzema

Manchester City: Aguero
Manchester United: Rooney

7 people!
These are the candidates selected for the 23-man squad by the Premier League, representing the highest competitive level of the Premier League.

The remaining five candidates come from five different leagues, and they are the only players in their respective leagues and clubs.

Serie A – Juventus: Andrea Pirlo

Bundesliga – Bayern Munich: Neuer
French Ligue 1 – Paris Saint-Germain: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Brazilian League – Santos: Neymar
Chinese Super League – Shanghai Shenhua: Drogba

There is only one team from the Super League and four teams from the First Division League. It is easy to tell which one is stronger and which one is weaker.

After the list was announced, it immediately caused a huge response among fans. The most discussed ones were of course the three greatest players of today, Messi and Ronaldo, as well as Drogba, the first Asian league player to be selected for the FIFA Ballon d'Or.

Controversy and discussion have re-emerged. Fans are arguing and arguing, but nothing can be achieved. However, they are all speaking out for their beliefs, hoping to gain recognition from others and find an organization.

"Huhu.!"

That afternoon, Maher was doing some recovery training in the team's gym with the fitness coach in preparation for the 15th round of the Premier League against Swansea the next day.

He did not pay too much attention to the outside discussions, but just took a quick look at the list with his teammates when it came out to see who was on it.

Honestly speaking, considering his performance this year, it is normal for him to be selected into the 23-man candidate list. Being selected into the final 3-man candidate list is something to be happy about. Then he will see who has the highest voice from the outside world.

"What did I say last year? I would definitely be selected, right?"

On the other hand, after reading the list, Van Persie said with a refreshed look: "Although I definitely won't win, going to the awards venue also means that I am at the top of the list of football players.

"This year, we will try to make it happen again and go for three consecutive years."

"He was selected as one of the 23 candidates this year, and he will have to strive for the top 3 next year and the year after. Doesn't the Dutch striker have any confidence in himself?" Maher looked at his friend and teased with a smile.

"I dare not think about it."

Van Persie is still very self-aware, shrugged and said: "You, Messi, Ronaldo, who can I compete with? I have accepted it now, the current 10 is not bad.

"I really can't imagine how I can get into the top three, it would take the Netherlands winning the World Cup or the European Championship, or Arsenal winning five titles including the Champions League?
"Also, I have to perform well myself and score at least 50 goals."

"You've already scored 40 goals this year, haven't you?" Maher stretched his leg muscles and encouraged him, "If you play in the Champions League or even the Club World Cup, you'll probably score 50 goals."

"Haha." Van Persie laughed twice without saying anything, as if he felt that it was a bit exaggerated to say these things before reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League, winning the Champions League and entering the Club World Cup.

Maher didn't feel anything. He has always been like this. When he has a goal, he will express it generously. Next to the two of them, the new Ballon d'Or candidates Koscielny and Sagna both had silly smiles on their faces, turning their heads left and right to watch the two chatting.

They were naturally in a very good mood, and their joy was beyond words, so much so that they couldn't help but get closer to Van Persie and Maher when they were doing the movements, as if the four of them were a new group.

"Mael."

Sania moved closer to Maher, put his hand on Maher's shoulder naturally, and said happily: "It seems that my two improvisations were not written in vain. Helping me enter the candidate list is the greatest reward you can give me."

"Yes," Koscielny added, "I really want to thank you, without you, I don't know if I can win four top tournaments by the end of my career.

"I really didn't expect this year to win four championships in one year and enter that hall of fame."

Maher looked at the two and shook his head and smiled, "That's because you guys performed well. We all did what we should do. Let's not talk about that. Let's keep working hard next year and strive to win the championship again.

"It would be great if we can go five or six times a year like Real Madrid do, or even more than them.

"I believe it is possible. If we continue to develop in this direction, no one can predict our future."

Van Persie stopped talking to the two men, but there was some longing on his face, as if he was also imagining the moment when this club would have such influence.

Others around them also have high expectations for this.

Thiago Silva, Giroud, Bale, Cazorla, Ramsey, Gilbert and others all looked into the distance, imagining the scene of that day.

"How big a success would that be?" After a long time, Gilbert seemed unable to help himself and asked out loud.

"How old?" Maher thought for a while, and then remembered the five championships Van Persie had just mentioned. He said half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Maybe the year we won the seven championships, the year we won everything."

On December 12, the 2th round of the Premier League kicked off at Arsenal’s home stadium, the Emirates Stadium, with Swansea players visiting to challenge the top of the table.

Swansea's performance in the Premier League this season is pretty good and they have established a firm foothold here. They are currently ranked eighth, far away from the relegation zone, and are even showing signs of competing for the European war zone.

However, for a team like this whose total team value barely exceeds 100 million, which is not as good as Maher alone, it is very difficult to defeat Arsenal.

Not only do they have to play at their best, they also have to expect problems on Arsenal's part or other unexpected events.

"Beep!"

The game started at 3:30 p.m. that day. The sun shone on the grass of the Emirates Stadium, but the warmth was gone. Winter had arrived and people were wearing thick jackets, sweatshirts and gloves.

Maher also wore gloves that day, not for keeping warm, but mainly because he hoped that by paying tribute to "Ma Dongmei", he could get into a good shape like Mahrez.

He doesn't expect himself to play like Messi, but he hopes that as he becomes stronger, he can play better than he did this summer.

"Sagna! He has just been shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or! This period should be the happiest and most glorious period of his life!
"Look at this cross! The one heading the ball in the middle is Van Persie!!

"Follow-up shot! Giroud poked the ball in! Two center forwards passed the ball! The ball went in! One to zero! Arsenal did not show any sign of being soft today!

"This is natural. Everyone knows that they are fighting for that 58-game unbeaten record! This game is the 53rd one!"

"."

"Mael! Headed goal!! Another Sagna cross! Wow, is Sagna going to prove today why he is on the Ballon d'Or shortlist?

"Haha. 2-0! There was already some panic and helplessness on the faces of the Swansea players!

"They seem to feel that every player at Arsenal is in excellent form and it is difficult to play against them!"

"."

"Here it comes again! Bale's one-on-one shot!! The ball goes in! Three to zero! Arsenal killed the game right at the start of the second half!

"An assist from Maher! We found that after Bale's arrival, Maher's ability to pass the ball through was gradually revealed!

"I think this has something to do with Bale's speed. Last season, although Maher was still able to make such surgical passes frequently, Van Persie's speed and impact were obviously not enough.

"After Bale came this season, the team has the power and speed to move forward. Maher's through ball behind him is naturally very lethal!"

"."

"Volley! Fourth. Ah, great save! Tremel denied Maher's shot! Beautiful! But the ball didn't go far! Maher got the ball again!

"Want to shoot? Just a sideways pass! Bale followed up! It was an empty goal! Haha, both of them scored and assisted twice!

“The fourth one!!”

"."

"Here it comes!! Maher's long-range shot!! I haven't seen him hit a shot like this in a game or two! I'm kind of missing it!

"This feeling is rare. Logically speaking, long shots are a low-probability event, so how can I make it a habit?

“But this is Maher, and this is the feeling we fans will feel when we watch Maher play!
"2 goals, 2 assists! He once again scored 4 goals in a single game! Is he a striker? A super attacker? No! Sometimes, I feel like he's from another planet!!"

"."

"Boom!!"

On the field, Maher slid to his knees, jumped up, then stomped heavily on the ground, put his hands under his armpits, and made Mbappe's classic celebration move.

“2球2助！15轮26球12助名列双榜第一，38粒制造进球，马埃尔，你真的要翻天吗？”——《伦敦晚报》

"Chelsea suffered another defeat! Lost points again! The gap between them and Arsenal is getting bigger and bigger! Did they lose their souls after the defeat to Arsenal? Benítez's situation is getting more and more difficult!" - The Guardian

"First: Arsenal, 41 points, second: Chelsea, 35 points, third: Manchester City, 34 points, fourth: Manchester United, 33 points." - Premier League standings at the end of round 15
(End of this chapter)