[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-from-arsenal-to-the-ball-god":3,"chapter-from-arsenal-to-the-ball-god-from-arsenal-to-the-ball-god-chapter-27":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","From Arsenal to the Ball God",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},925696,1216,"Chapter 27: Center of Attention! Debut!","from-arsenal-to-the-ball-god-chapter-27",27,"\u003Cp>August 14, Southern France, Aix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At 7:10 in the evening, only twenty minutes left until Cardiff City’s home match against Sheffield United.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an old residential building, a family of five has prepared chilled beer, abundant snacks, and is waiting eagerly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How much longer until it starts?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A middle-aged woman, busy serving dishes, looks a bit tired but remains spirited, \"I heard from someone at the supermarket, playing in the Championship at 17 is quite the talent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Talent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man on the sofa beams with pride, \"First professional league match, starting in the lineup, ’talent’ doesn’t even begin to cover it; our nephew is a prodigy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Clément! Clément!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third child, Eva, ran out from the room, calling her father’s name, looking aggrieved and anxious, \"The pizza brother gave me was eaten by sister, two slices!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Call me dad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clément said sternly, then his expression softened as he lovingly lifted her onto his lap, \"A pizza that big, you couldn’t finish it by yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then why didn’t she ask brother to buy her one? Why take mine?\" Eva wiped her eyes, her voice innocent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder sister and second brother emerged from the room, the former rolling her eyes slightly, \"It was just two slices, we’ll buy another one for you some other day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The family’s chatter filled the small room with warmth, a typical big family scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So Ma’el can really earn £2500 a week now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder sister sat on the sofa, thinking of the £3000 Ma’el sent back recently, \"Isn’t that much more than what you and mom earn together?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’re just ordinary people,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clément chuckled, having put aside his pride, focused only on praising his nephew: \"After Ma’el plays today, he’ll be a small star, and this £2500 weekly pay will only go up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at his wife, his eyes full of relief for letting Ma’el play soccer and some regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They almost stifled their nephew’s talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife turned her head away, saying nothing, her past hesitations long forgotten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother! Brother!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, little Eva pointed excitedly at the TV, clapping and jumping, \"Look, brother’s out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whole family turned to the screen, immediately spotting Ma’el, his expression serious, seemingly in the player’s tunnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ma’el! An Arsenal youth product! Today is bound to be a memorable day for him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kevin has placed enough trust in this young player, making him one of the rare few debutants to start!\" The commentator’s voice brought them into the thrilling match atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One must admit, it’s a profoundly mysterious feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone once ordinary and even a bit reticent now seen on television, identity thoroughly transformed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah...\" Eva opened her mouth wide, cheering with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others refrained from reckless expressions, but their occasional body shivers from excitement mirrored Eva’s emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Korni Training Base, Arsenal U17 Dormitory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a series of door noises, everyone who got the message rushed out, heading eagerly to the youth team meeting room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get out of bed! He’s out on the field!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Championship’s second round, our old... teammates! Ma’el has gotten a starting opportunity!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hurry to the meeting room! Coach Hans is waiting for us there!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good-hearted ones didn’t forget to share this joy with their teammates, knocking on doors for those who missed the news on their phones, \"Not lying, check if you got a message from Coach Hans.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More sounds erupted, many jumping off their beds, scrambling to put on shoes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, over ten rushed out of the dormitory towards the meeting room, like a 100-meter dash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way, someone expressed disbelief to others, \"Unbelievable, they really got a chance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, and who would’ve thought, Ma’el would be the first to start?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s hurry! We’ll be late for the 7:30 match!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did Gilbert make the lineup?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He did, he did, doesn’t matter, at this rate, we’ll miss Ma’el’s appearance!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some others, walking slowly with mixed feelings, showed either envy or disbelief, unchanged from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma’el’s rapid rise repeatedly shattered their understanding, leaving them constantly disoriented, still thinking of him as that trial player.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his ascent had been slower, allowing them more time to process, they wouldn’t always feel this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, those who arrived first saw Coach Hans pacing inside the room, unable to sit still with excitement and impatience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry, I got the news late,\" Hans waved to the players, then slapped his right hand on his left palm, stumbling over his words: \"Mainly, I... I didn’t expect, Ma... Ma’el would start this match.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a stutter, but rather excitement-induced speechlessness, \"In... the last match against the National League, I didn’t see either of them, I thought... they had become completely marginalized at the club.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The players shook their heads, indicating it was fine, taking seats in the meeting room, eyes fixed on the big screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, a live broadcast of their U17 team’s ’outstanding graduate’ Ma’el was playing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The logo in the top left corner was clear, this was the English Championship League!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cardiff City Stadium, player tunnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Huff huff’ of breathing could be heard; Ma’el was adjusting his breathing, trying to remain focused and calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held the hand of a small mascot with his right hand, surrounded by tall, strong Championship players, about to step onto the professional field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beep beep!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main referee’s whistle blew as three referees led the front-row players onto the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma’el numbly followed the Sheffield players ahead, his heart pounding uncontrollably, hearing only a buzz in his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked through the dim player tunnel toward the lighted field, to where he had long awaited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh...!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he stepped out, the sounds around him became clear, his vision brightened, filled with the roar of fans and spotlights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The over thirty-thousand-seat stadium was packed, an ocean of joy with waving arms, a paradise for football lovers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took to the field on shaky legs, muddling through the entrance ceremony, standing in his position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go, go!!\" came a shout from the substitutes bench, Gilbert, in a vest, waving at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma’el steadied himself a bit, knowing many he cared for were watching, he couldn’t afford to embarrass himself on the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hoo...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a deep breath, hearing fans start counting down the seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ten... seven... three... two... one!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the countdown ended, the referee standing on the center circle arc raised his right hand, blowing the whistle to start the whole match, \"Beep!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Championship second-round battle officially began!\u003C\u002Fp>",1071,"2026-06-03T06:44:03.366Z","2026-06-03T06:44:07.060Z",1,"novelbin.me","cb1f1bfd4c70f9c74dceef6a8ed70941892d0d77a379715267177be14a6c5ee9","from-arsenal-to-the-ball-god-chapter-28","from-arsenal-to-the-ball-god-chapter-26",391,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffrom-arsenal-to-the-ball-god-cover.jpg"]