"Come on! Maël!!"
Off the field, Safina and her group jumped up happily with their hands raised, then hugged each other, each as excited as if they had won the award themselves.
The tawny, brilliant lights shone on their faces, highlighting their glory at this moment.
"UEFA Best Player!!"
José, beaming, put his arms around Harry and Davis, and smiled, "From the Golden Boy Award to the Puskas Award, the top ten in the Ballon d'Or, and now the UEFA Best Player, it's truly one step at a time!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he burst out in an even higher tone, "Most importantly, we're getting a raise too!"
"Hahaha!" The crowd, embracing each other, laughed together, and many clenched their fists and shouted, "Nice!! Following the boss gets us the good stuff! Now we are the happiest people in the world!"
No matter how good their feelings are for a person, or for a job, income is definitely important to them.
This is one of the foundations of their lives, and a reflection of their value.
Except for very few cases, no one would not be happy about a pay raise, especially when your boss is a rich and generous person, when you can draw a salary increase blind box, and have a high probability of drawing a big prize.
"Actually, I don't think we've helped him much, it's just that he's excellent himself."
Harry lowered his head slightly at this moment, smiled faintly and said somewhat ashamed, "This seems to be a job that 'anyone' can do, but we are lucky enough to get higher pay, and our income often rises with Maël."
"Yes."
"Indeed..."
A chorus of agreement sounded, and many people's smiling faces were tinged with shame and a hint of good fortune.
Even Aisha was the same. Although she was running her own family business and couldn't get the high salary of the young boss Maël, the advertising shoot that the latter promised still brought her huge dividends.
Of course, she could imagine how terrifying the heat a young UEFA Best Player would generate, what kind of influence he would have, and how much attention his advertisement would bring to their brand.
"Besides once again sighing that we are lucky to have met him and become people in his circle of friends, what else can we say?"
She really had to say it, and sighed with everyone, "We are actually the same people, it's just that you are connected to him through work, and I am connected to him through Isabella."
The others were slightly stunned. Aisha rarely saw them or communicated with them, and was not really in the same circle as them. Today was a bit abnormal.
"What are you all looking at me for?"
Aisha raised her eyebrows and smiled in confusion, but she actually guessed the reason, and explained, "It's just that I have some feelings at this celebratory moment. Compared to you, I'm definitely not as familiar with him.
"But I know how rare it is to know such a sports superstar. Someone like him, sometimes just helping with a small favor, can change my life dramatically."
"So..." She shrugged her shoulders, "I also feel very lucky, and I am also sincerely happy for his success."
"Haha!"
"Yes!"
"Let's go out for a couple of drinks tonight, anyway, he's not going back to London until tomorrow."
"Okay."
Several people became familiar with each other because of celebrating together many times, and integrated into each other's circle of friends.
Off to the side, Mendes was briefly forgotten, but this suited him perfectly. He finally had time to quietly savor the moment.
From the bottom of his heart, he knew very well that because Real Madrid had just emerged from a period of being suppressed by Dream Team Barcelona, and Ronaldo hadn't won any significant championships this year, he wasn't very competitive for this award.
Since arriving in Monaco, the only winner he had hoped for was Maël, the European champion.
But he couldn't say these words out loud, and even thinking about it made him feel a bit guilty, as if he were letting down Ronaldo, who had helped him get to where he was today.
However, once a good result was officially announced, he wouldn't have to think so much. He could just savor the joy of getting his wish! He didn't want anyone to have any thoughts about him at this moment, or to hear him say who was stronger or weaker. He just wanted to give this talented young player all his blessings with a look of admiration.
A tiny smile appeared on Mendes' lips. Although there wasn't much expression on his face, with the help of the lights, it looked like he was showing a very exciting scene.
"This is a special day for me. I've received an important award."
On the big screen, Maël began to deliver his final acceptance speech. His eyes were still fixed on Isabella, and he also looked for the surrounding cameras, as if he was saying something to the people in front of the screen.
...
Sheffield City, on a street in the city center, a white Mercedes-Benz van was driving slowly.
Gareth Speed was in the driver's seat, with Joelson sitting next to him, and his young daughter in the back.
"Beep beep beep beep...!"
He sang a cheerful song, enjoying the rare peace and quiet, not noticing that Joelson, who was wearing headphones, suddenly trembled slightly.
After driving another block, Gareth Speed smiled and turned to his daughter, saying, "I'll take you to school, and then your uncle and I will go fishing. After we're done fishing, we'll have fish together for dinner, okay?"
"Okay." His daughter nodded, then asked with a naive curiosity, "Will we catch any? Mommy said the last fish you brought back had a 14-pound tag on it."
"Haha..." An awkward expression appeared on Gareth Speed's face, and he said with a dry laugh, "Yes, we can. People are always improving. Don't worry."
Joelson took off his headphones at this time and looked at Gareth Speed, saying, "Did we forget something? I just saw a Facebook video and saw that Maël was selected for the UEFA Best Lineup."
"Today is the awards ceremony?!"
Gareth Speed was startled, and even slowed down the car a bit. "Oh, I actually forgot. He was selected for the Best Lineup? That's really gratifying."
"Do you know why you forgot?" Joelson smiled. "Because you didn't receive an invitation, because you're not qualified to sit with him anymore."
"Haha...!" Gareth Speed's laughter this time was hearty, as if he didn't care about the joke at all, or as if he was trying to cover something up. "Hurry up and turn it on, let's see who wins the final award."
"Okay, here's an earphone for you. Pay attention to the speaker."
Joelson tuned into the UEFA Awards Ceremony while putting an earphone on Gareth Speed's left ear. The two of them quickly heard the broadcast of the awards ceremony together.
--"The point isn't really this trophy, it's just a summary."
Hearing this, Gareth Speed and Joelson both paused. The former asked, "That sounds like Maël's voice. Does the Best Lineup have to give an acceptance speech? Is it that formal?"
Having said that, he understood that after Maël won the European Cup, he and Joelson had considered that he might win the UEFA Best Player at the age of 19.
Could he have really won?!
He wasn't sure, and he didn't want to appear impatient, so he could only probe like this.
--"Most importantly, I think there are many people who are very important to me, special people, who see me get it."
Another voice came. Joelson quickly looked down at his phone and saw Maël standing in front of the microphone in the center of the podium, with a silver half-human trophy in front of him.
"Haa...!" He took a sharp breath, and then looked at Gareth Speed with a stammering look of shock on his face.
"What's wrong?" Gareth Speed glanced over while driving, then hurriedly turned his head back, "Say something!"
"Drive carefully, Dad."
"Oh, oh. Okay, say something!"
Joelson gently rested a hand on Gareth Speed's arm holding the steering wheel, his voice trembling slightly, "He won the UEFA Best Player, just now, this is the UEFA Best Player acceptance speech."
"." Gareth Speed silently looked ahead, only the wrist gripping the steering wheel trembled violently, his chest also shuddering.
--"Some of them knew me from the very beginning, some joined me halfway through my life, but without exception, they have all accompanied me through a deeply memorable journey, giving me a lot of encouragement.
The voice from the earphones came again, "I think they will also be proud of me, and happy for me, witnessing this important moment in my life with them, makes me realize why I live.
"Thank you to everyone I've met along the way, I always seem to be in the habit of saying that every milestone is a new beginning... This time is no exception, I still have many unfulfilled wishes."
——(Background noise) "Haha...!"
——"I hope to get more in the future, and when the day I truly achieve my goals comes, maybe I will treat everyone to a hearty drink for three days and three nights, and finally, thank you again!"
——(Background noise) "Clap clap clap!!"
Gareth Speed and Joelson remained silent, quietly listening to Maël's acceptance speech.
However, tears welled up in both of their eyes, and even their posture straightened... Every second of this moment seemed to have a special meaning.
"Shit, we actually forgot, and didn't see the most wonderful award-winning scene."
After a long while, Joelson slapped his forehead in self-reproach, smiling with tears in his eyes, "But hearing the acceptance speech is also lucky, Speed, do you think we two will have the chance to drink that drink?"
"Of course."
Gareth Speed opened the car window, comfortably breathing in a few mouthfuls of fresh air, and increased the car's speed, "It's impossible to sit in the same hall with him, but going to his house to drink his wine is a certainty.
"Who told us to know him so early? Who told us that we once possessed him?"
The two laughed foolishly for a while, the little daughter behind them looked at their backs, her eyes showing confusion, not knowing why her father and uncle had suddenly become strange.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh bang bang bang...!"
Not long after, by the Sheaf River where anglers gathered, a firework flashing with light soared into the sky, as if someone was celebrating a happy event.
London, Colney Training Base.
Since the First Team coach, captain, and several key players had all gone to attend the awards ceremony, the First Team members were all watching the UEFA Awards at home.
However, the players of all levels of the U series gathered in various conference rooms to watch live.
"Maël Maël!"
"Clang clang clang clang...!"
At the moment Maël won the UEFA Best Player, the area near the Administration Building of the youth training center was shrouded in a joyful atmosphere, the young players cheering for First Team captain Maël like fans.
In the U13 conference room, the head coach surrounded a black player who was somewhat thin compared to the others, and said with a smile, "Saka, you can be selected for the U13 youth training camp by skipping two levels, then are you confident that you will surpass him in the future?"
The young Saka lowered his head shyly, only occasionally peeking at Maël on the screen, "I don't know... He defeated Ronaldo, but I don't know if I can defeat Ronaldo."
Ronaldo was his idol, 4 years ago, that Manchester United number 7 who cried and celebrated in the rainy night in Moscow, left a deep impression on a generation of England young players.
"You should have more confidence."
The head coach affectionately patted his head, his gaze turning to the screen, a few complex emotions appearing on his face again, "But a 19-year-old UEFA Best Player is indeed too difficult to surpass. Before him, no one thought a young player could defeat Messi and Ronaldo."
Saka slowly nodded, "Yeah, he's only 8 years older than me, but he's already one of the best players."
"Alright." The head coach extended his right arm and gave him a high-five, "Don't be discouraged. At least his existence proves that there might be a whole new level of players appearing. I hope that person is you."
"I hope so too."
The confidence in Saka's heart was slowly unearthed. He raised his arm, "He will be my new role model. I will chase him and seek to surpass him. I want to win the Ballon d'Or at 20!"
"Haha..." The head coach laughed, "Now, let's celebrate for him properly. Today belongs to him."
Saka clapped his hands, looking at the glamorous Maël on the screen, admiration floating in his eyes.
...
Nearby, in the U23 conference room.
The number of people here was significantly higher than in other places because this was the highest level of the youth team. All potential players between the ages of 17 and 23 were here, the younger the age, the greater the potential.
"@%&#!"
"I knew it was him!"
"Too strong! I'm a year older than him, but I'm playing in the U23 league, and he's playing in the European Cup, Champions League, and even won the UEFA Best Player."
"Haha, comparing people is infuriating, it's always been like this."
Amidst the noise, several 19-year-old players were surrounded. The reason was none other than that these people were Maël's former U17 teammates, and everyone else wanted to learn more about Maël through their mouths.
"Back then, he was my substitute, looking inconspicuous."
A winger player had a bright look on his face, but upon closer inspection, there was also a hint of melancholy, "We ate and lived together, but no one cared about him. Everyone thought he would leave after the trial period ended."
"Who would have thought that after the same amount of time, we are still sitting in the conference room, while he appeared at the Grimaldi Conference Center."
"Hahaha!"
Another sigh of emotion rang out, "We can only say that he can train more than us, is stronger than us. Back then, many people ridiculed his practice as useless work, who would say that now?"
As he said this, his eyes suddenly looked towards the door, and then his face lit up, and he happily said, "Mr. Hans! Mr. Hans is here!"
As if they had found their backbone, several players who had been coached by Hans stood up together to welcome Hans, who was now a First Team assistant coach.
The others were the same. For them, the First Team assistant coach was naturally an object they had to respect, someone who could potentially determine their fate.
At the doorway, Hans walked in with a sunny smile, his steps carrying a sense of pride, a temperament different from the past.
His life had already changed, and this change had also changed his temperament, at least in line with his current identity. He was no longer that youth team coach.
Hans walked to the side of the few people he had coached before, took a deep breath, and sighed, "What a happy day, but no one shared this happiness with me, so I came to see you."
"Mr. Hans, people say your shoes seem to have magic."
Someone joked, "Give us a pair? Let us also feel the feeling of getting into the Premier League in 1 year and winning the European Championship and Best Player in 2 years."
"Haha...!"
Today was always filled with laughter, and Hans also shook his head with a smile, "I still have self-awareness. In my opinion, I didn't help him much, but he helped me a lot instead."
Turning his head to look at Maël walking off the stage on the screen, he let out another breath, "In short, his success has influenced many people. His day is also our day."
"In Arsenal's history of so many years, they have finally ushered in a continental-level best player. I am optimistic that he will lift the first Ballon d'Or trophy for the club in the future!"
"Yeahhh!" Someone cheered and raised their hand, shouting, "He is the best player belonging to Arsenal! He will win more glory for the club!"
France, Élysée Palace.
A female secretary walked into a conference room with a smile, sat aside, and listened to Michel's meeting on economic issues.
However, after everyone arrived, Michel still stood in front of the stage with a frown, and did not speak for a long time.
The female secretary knew the reason. Michel's views on many issues were somewhat different from Mr. Hollande's. They often had some disagreements, and he should be worried about this aspect.
"Mr. Michel."
Seeing that the other party was still unable to adjust, she smiled and said something off-topic, "Before I entered the conference room, I saw the headline that our player Maël won this year's UEFA Best Player Award."
Michel slowly turned his head, the gloom on his face quickly dissipating, "Oh? I seemed to have seen the news a few days ago, the one held in Monaco?"
"Yes." The female secretary nodded and smiled, "He defeated Messi and Ronaldo and became the first French player to win this award."
Before she could finish her words, a sense of joy had already appeared on Michel's face. He paced back and forth, and finally couldn't suppress the smile on his face, "Good, really good, he is the pride of France."
"Clap clap.!"
After saying this, he couldn't help but clap his hands excitedly, attracting strange gazes from a group of dignitaries and politicians.
Michel quickly realized the impropriety of this behavior, but there was no other expression on his face, "Why don't we applaud Maël before the meeting starts? He is also winning glory for us elsewhere."
The people below looked at each other, and finally someone raised their hands, "Clap clap.!"
"Clap clap clap!" The scattered applause quickly became warm, and Michel nodded happily with a smile, raising his hands again to clap.
The female secretary looked at his appearance and smiled knowingly. It seemed that the negative emotions on his body had been eliminated a lot.
Monaco, Grimaldi Conference Center.
Maël had returned to his seat and continued to watch this awards ceremony, but his emotions had not dissipated for a long time.
"The UEFA Best Chairman Award is awarded to Mr. Florentino of Real Madrid, congratulations.!"
Not long after, the Best Chairman Award was also officially announced. Florentino, who had just met him a few days ago, took the stage to accept the award and gave his acceptance speech.
"Thank you to UEFA, and thank you to the Monaco organizers. This award is also of great significance to me.
"Real Madrid has just emerged from a difficult period and is easily affected by public opinion. There have been many storms recently.
"But I want to say to all Real Madrid fans, I always firmly believe that it is the greatest club in the world, and I have been working hard to return to its former peak. I believe we will do it, my heart will never change!"
"."
"Clap clap clap!"
Applause rang out, and Maël also applauded him. There was indeed no controversy in Florentino winning this award. He is the most successful football club chairman now and for the next ten years.
It is precisely because there are so many outstanding people in various subdivided professions that the world football and clubs will continue to develop, and football will become better.
Seeing this chairman, Maël also felt more honored for his award. Winning the best in their respective positions with Florentino is definitely a special experience.
After the Best Chairman award ceremony, the only award worth paying attention to should be the Best Coach award.
"Pep Guardiola!"
A warm-up video before the award ceremony played on the big screen, with Guardiola, as one of the three candidates, appearing on the screen first.
Another close-up shot was given to him at the venue, and you could see that he only had a faint smile on his face, not particularly expecting this award, also knowing that his chances of winning were not high.
In the past few years, leading Dream Team Barcelona, he was definitely the most popular coach in European football.
But his performance last year was not outstanding, only winning a few cup titles, without any major achievements, and no breakthroughs compared to the past.
This year's Best Coach has two popular candidates, one is the French Team coach Deschamps, who ushered in the first major success of his career, and the other is Wenger, who ushered in the second spring of his career.
There is no doubt that both of them achieved major achievements in their lives last year, and are more competitive for the Best Coach.
"Arsène Wenger!"
"Didier Deschamps!!"
Soon, their names and videos appeared on the screen, and many people at the scene turned to look at them, while also glancing at Maël, as these were all coaches related to him.
Even these two people occasionally smiled and turned their eyes to Maël, as if to see who Maël would support more.
This scene also showed Maël's dominance in various competitions last year, and everyone knew that without him, these two would definitely not be sitting here.
"Who do you want to win more?" Isabella raised her eyebrows and looked at Maël, asking a difficult question to answer.
"I think either is fine, whoever wins is good, I think they both think the same."
Maël turned to look at Wenger and Deschamps, who were sitting very close, hesitated for a moment, and joked with Isabella: "Anyway, they will cooperate with me for a long time in the future, and they all have the opportunity to get more."
"Ah?"
"That is, if Wenger wins, Deschamps may win it back in the World Cup year or the next European Cup year, if Deschamps wins, Wenger may win it next season."
"Haha... why are you so cocky." Isabella smiled and showed an expression of disbelief at what she had heard.
Maël also laughed, then withdrew his gaze and quietly waited for the final result.
Without too much delay, as football legend Cruyff stepped onto the podium with the Best Coach trophy, he quickly announced the final winner, "Arsène Wenger!!"
"Ohhh!"
"Pa pa pa!"
Cheers and applause instantly resounded throughout the venue, and everyone paid the highest respect to this legendary coach who won the first intercontinental mainstream Best Coach award. In the eyes of many people, Wenger should have reached this step long ago.
In the center of the line of sight, Wenger slowly stood up, first walked to the side, and gave Deschamps, who had a congratulatory smile on his face, a deep hug, and then stepped towards the stage.
In the first row, Maël clapped his hands vigorously to express his congratulations to Mr. Wenger.
In his memory, even though many people thought he was excellent, he rarely appeared in similar award ceremonies, and rarely won the final Best Coach, always hovering in the 2nd-4th or 2nd-6th place, just like the fate of Arsenal.
Fortunately, with the 100-point championship win last season, the double crown, and this season's Community Shield Cup, the old Professor is finally standing on the highest podium! "Pa pa...!"
A look of relief appeared in the corner of Maël's eyes, he watched Wenger step by step onto the podium, and also saw the other party raise his eyebrows at him in the process.
Wenger walked onto the podium, hugged Cruyff, received his Best Coach award, carefully looked at it in his hand, and then came to the podium.
Wearing glasses and with a full head of white hair, he really did look like a university professor at that moment, except that there were a few too many people in his class, and the caliber of these people was a bit too high.
"Thank you, UEFA."
Mr. Wenger held the trophy in one hand and pointed to the UEFA logo with the other, "Also, thank you to Football. I have dedicated my life to this sport, and to be honest, I'm a little ashamed to only receive an intercontinental award now."
"Haha...!" A small burst of laughter erupted from the crowd, but most people still had blessings on their faces as they laughed.
"The reason I was able to receive this award is known to everyone, because we have an incredible player."
Mr. Wenger had a mischievous look on his face, prompting everyone to turn their attention to Maël. He then continued, "After he received the Best Player award, he also brought me to this position, which makes me even more ashamed."
After another burst of laughter, Mr. Wenger also had a sly smile on his face, as if he had a good idea. "Maël, could you stand up for a moment?"
"Ohhh!"
Amidst the jeers, Maël pointed at himself, not expecting to be cued when others were receiving awards. He stood up in a state of surprise and bewilderment, mouthing the words 'What's up?'
"It's nothing."
Mr. Wenger seemed to be waiting for him to ask, and immediately answered, then approached the microphone with a flourish, raising his voice, "The reason I asked you to stand up is to let everyone see just how outstanding you are! Haha!"
After saying this, he raised the Best Coach trophy in his hand, laughed loudly, and left the stage with a flourish.
"Ooh ooh ooh!!" The scene was a sensation, and everyone felt the deep friendship between these two mentors and disciples from afar, and felt the bond between them.
Maël shook his head and smiled, not knowing what to say, so he pursed his lips and raised his eyebrows, indicating that he was flattered.
...
"The UEFA Awards Ceremony has come to a successful conclusion! Maël edged out Messi and Ronaldo to win the UEFA Best Player Award! The most important personal honor of his career so far!" - Global Headlines
"Mr. Wenger wins the intercontinental Best Coach award! 2 Arsenal players are selected for the intercontinental Best Lineup! Both are historical firsts!" - The Guardian
"Arsenal is standing at a new height, a height even higher than their peak period. It's hard not to say that this is because of Maël." - Famous commentator Lineker. "The UEFA Best Player is in hand, will there be a chance for the Ballon d'Or at the end of the year? (Raises eyebrow)" - Henry's social media
"World Football has completely entered a three-legged confrontation stage, with Maël, Ronaldo, and Messi vying for supremacy! Anyone has the ability to win the highest honor, it just depends on the player's form that season!" - AS
"It is an honor for all England fans and myself that such a player has emerged in the Premier League. He will lead the Premier League to a higher level and will also help the Premier League gain more in the copyright market.
"Some people say that I am a legend, but I want to say that it is because of the existence of such players that this league has become better.
"In the future, people may say that Richard Scudamore has multiplied the Premier League's copyright fees and helped the Premier League reach a new height.
"But I think people should remember Henry, Beckham, Ronaldo, Maël, and other players.
"Of course, in the end, I also have to distinguish that, in my opinion, Maël, who chose to stay at Arsenal, definitely has the opportunity to do more than others. In fact, he is already surpassing them now.
"We should all thank him, and I should also regard him as a great fortune in my life." - Premier League CEO Richard Scudamore posted a long article on social media
...
After the awards ceremony, the heat about Football instantly rose, and the names of Maël, Messi, and Ronaldo appeared in various headlines.
While fans were discussing it wildly, the draw for the Champions League 32 was also concluded on this day.
Group A: Paris Saint-Germain, Porto, Dynamo Kyiv, Dinamo Zagreb
Group B: Arsenal, Schalke 04, Olympiacos, Montpellier
Group C: AC Milan, Zenit, Málaga, Anderlecht
Group D: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Dortmund, Ajax
Group E: Juventus, Chelsea, Donetsk Shakhtar, Nordsjælland
Group F: Bayern Munich, Valencia, Lille, BATE Borisov
Group G: Barcelona, Celtic, Benfica, Spartak Moscow
Group H: Manchester United, Galatasaray, Cluj, Braga
"The 32 teams in the best form in European football last season will gather for the 12-13 Season Champions League to compete for the final Big Ears Cup! The paradise of the winners will kick off in September!" - 442
After this night, the world football scene officially entered the new season, with the heat gradually rising, and waves of turmoil will strike one after another, everything will move forward in an orderly manner.
Late at night, Maël, who rarely posts these days, also uploaded a new post.
"Thank you all for your support. Winning the UEFA Best Player is the best motivation for me. I believe you will see Arsenal constantly stand out in various competitions this season." - Maël posted a photo of the Best Player trophy on social media.
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