"How have you been lately?"
With Arsenal's next game on Boxing Day, the 19th, Mendes came to Maël's house, bringing some of his stored posters and exquisite little gifts.
"I see you've been eliminated from one competition, it shouldn't have much impact, right? After all, it's just the EFL Cup."
"No," Maël said, shaking his head with a smile. "This season, the focus for domestic cups is on the FA Cup. Maybe next season I'll pay more attention to the EFL Cup... Of course, you can also take that as a helpless statement after being eliminated."
"Haha..."
Mendes laughed twice, relieved to see that Maël was fine. "That's right, you only need the FA Cup to complete the grand slam of England's top domestic competitions. That must be your goal this season."
Maël invited Mendes to sit on the sofa, took the gifts Mendes brought, and sat next to him.
The two looked at each other and smiled, a mix of unfamiliarity from not having seen each other for a long time and the warmth of old acquaintances. They both seemed to know what the next topic would be.
"You have all the advantages."
Mendes steered the conversation to the Ballon d'Or, his face excited. "Although people often say, don't set expectations too high to avoid a bad fall, I think this might be the year.
"It's incredible to think about it, every month, you've moved forward a lot.
"Even every week, every game... Even in the games where you don't play well, you're still moving forward, you always gain something.
"That's how it is a lot of the time, you feel like some ordinary days have passed, and then you suddenly look back and realize you've come a long way."
"Yes," Maël said, laughing heartily, his mood hard to describe. "I don't know how to put it, at the beginning of the season, I was thinking that winning the Golden Ball around the age of 20 would be good.
"I didn't expect to have a chance at 19, it's really amazing."
"No one would have believed you if you said that at the beginning of the season, hahaha."
"Haha!"
The two laughed together, and after the laughter stopped, Maël paused and then said with a smile, "Why does it sound like it's a sure thing? Actually, for this kind of award, before you get it, no one can be sure they have more than a 50% chance."
"I know how you feel," Mendes said, pointing at Maël. "Because of some of my experiences, you know, so I understand this feeling very well.
"Because you're young, and you've accumulated enough confidence, you're not afraid of failure, so you can say these things so calmly.
"You weren't like this before, before the Golden Boy Award, before the Puskas... But it's different now, this season, especially recently, you've accumulated enough.
"You're sure now that even if it's not this year, it will definitely be next year."
After listening, Maël looked at Mendes, thinking that it was indeed the case. He admired this sophisticated football agent, who was indeed very accurate in his assessment.
He had this confidence, not entirely relying on his current strength and consistent growth rate, but also because he was very clear that Messi would not be in this kind of form in the future.
Unlike football matches, which are full of variables, as a time-traveler, the memories he had of certain people would not change much, so he was very confident about this.
Even if the other party might avoid injury in the following year due to some butterfly effect from his time-travel, it would be difficult to maintain this year's form.
With his current level of 80-90 goals per year, as long as Messi and Ronaldo don't suddenly explode, he can win even if he stays where he is, not to mention that he won't stay where he is.
"Boxing Day against Newcastle, then Southampton at the end of the month, are you confident?"
Mendes brought this up and then said, "Completing the 58-game unbeaten streak is this month. If you can lead the team to complete this, I think your chances will increase a lot. Many judges are watching this."
"It's still the same rhetoric, now that the first 56 steps have been completed, Arsenal can't stop in the last 2 steps."
Maël smiled and nodded to express his confidence, then said, "When is the Ballon d'Or ceremony? I'll prepare earlier this time and strive for a perfect appearance."
"January 8th." Mendes saw Maël's confidence and his own confidence surged. Remembering something, he pointed at Maël playfully and joked, "Haha! You really need to prepare early, don't wear someone else's clothes like last time."
Maël shook his head and smiled. He would definitely not have that kind of embarrassment now, nor should he, not at such an important awards ceremony.
The two chatted about other things, and then they talked about today's Champions League Round of 16 draw.
Maël glanced at the time and found that the draw ceremony was about to begin, so he turned on the TV to pay attention.
Mendes sat next to him, also very curious about who Arsenal's opponent would be in this year's Champions League Round of 16.
However, as soon as they turned on the TV, they saw another piece of news on the football channel.
"London time 14:00 on the 19th, Barcelona superstar Messi received last season's European Golden Boot award at his mansion. This is the second time the Argentine has won this award, in 09..."
In the picture, a person in a suit came to Messi's mansion in Barcelona, holding a shiny golden boot trophy, and smiled with Messi in front of the camera.
The European Golden Boot! This is the highest award in the hearts of all forwards, because it basically represents the best, most scoring, and strongest forward player of the season!
This award is selected from all players playing in European leagues, only counting league goals, not cup and European War goals. Each goal is 1 point, and then multiplied by the football coefficient of the player's country.
The football coefficient of the four major leagues is 2, the league coefficient with 2 Champions League participating teams is 1.5, and the league coefficient with one Champions League participating team is 1.
It can be said that this is a relatively fair selection method, and the winner is basically the best and most efficient forward in that year.
Watching Messi receive the award, Maël and Mendes in front of the TV felt a little uncomfortable.
In fact, they may not feel anything if they watch it alone, but watching it together will make them consider each other's feelings, hence this feeling.
"Messi scored 50 goals in La Liga last year, so he got 100 points, which surpassed Ronaldo's 46 goals for a total of 92 points, and Maël's 43 goals for a total of 86 points.
"From this data, Messi is indeed the best forward player last season, and the three-legged trend in football has indeed formed. The three forwards are far ahead of the fourth place, but the gap between them is very small.
"."
After watching this, the Champions League draw ceremony gradually began, and some football celebrities shook the signing balls.
Mendes sat back and comforted, "It's a pity last season, actually only a difference of 7 goals, which is not a small number, and Messi was indeed in too good a state that season.
"You shouldn't have any worries this season, right? This award must be yours.
"Although Messi's state is comparable to last season, you have completely exploded, 31 goals in 18 rounds, if you keep playing like this, it is possible to break 120 points."
Maël smiled lightly and nodded, without replying. In fact, he doesn't need this kind of comfort. He rarely thinks about things that have passed, he has been looking to the future.
As Mendes said, this season's European Golden Boot is indeed basically in his pocket.
After 17 rounds of La Liga, Messi's number of goals is 24, and Ronaldo's is 17, which are far from him.
Moreover, with the improvement of his strength, his state in the second half of the season will definitely be better than in the first half, and it will not be difficult to score more goals by then.
120 points? Conservative 130!
Without saying more, the two paid attention to the Champions League Round of 16 draw. Soon, the entire Round of 16 matchups were distributed before their eyes.
Porto VS Málaga
Donetsk Miner VS Dortmund Real Madrid VS Manchester United Galatasaray VS Schalke 04 Arsenal VS Bayern Munich
"Celtic VS Juventus, Valencia VS Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan VS Barcelona. The moment Arsenal drew Bayern Munich, Maël felt as if he had been struck by a demonic sound, and hummed a familiar melody, 'Kick Barcelona, kick Barcelona, kick Bayern Munich, our team has collapsed!'"
This Champions League theme song, adapted by Chinese fans, describes Arsenal's difficult situation during this period.
They seem to be able to qualify as the top of their group in the Champions League every time, seeking the initiative in the draw.
But every time they seem to be able to meet a relatively weak team, they always encounter Dream Team Barcelona and peak Bayern, who were not in good shape in the group stage that year, and they are always beaten to the ground. This is really metaphysics, and it really makes Arsenal fans of this period in history want to cry without tears.
"What's wrong?" Mendes listened to Maël humming the Champions League theme song and asked with a smile, "Do you miss the Champions League arena so much? Can't wait?"
"Sort of." Maël smiled perfunctorily, but unfortunately he couldn't explain the joke to Mendes.
But it's okay, the current Arsenal has undergone great changes. They will go all out to attack the Champions League this season, and they will not be like last season. They will not be afraid of anyone they encounter, and will strive for the final victory!
After watching the draw, it was getting late, and Mendes got up to leave.
Maël sent him to the door, and saw Mendes turn his head again, with a face full of expectation, and said: "I will stay in London recently, and go to your company tomorrow to coordinate the final sprint of Maël Company and Mendes Company's publicity."
"See you when you are free, I hope we can sit together and celebrate in mid-January. I believe we will."
"Of course." Maël waved to Mendes, also looking forward to that day.
"Opening kill!! Opening kill! The game has just started, and before I had time to introduce the starting lineups of both sides, Maël has already scored the first goal of the game!
"This is his 32nd goal in the Premier League this season! The league has not yet passed 20 rounds, and he is about to catch up with the previous Premier League goal record of the 11-12 Season! It's incredible! "I don't know what Alan Shearer and Andy Cole will think when they see this scene!"
"."
"The second! Also the 33rd of the season! This is too terrifying, who would have expected such a player to appear in the Premier League?
"Before this, people called the Premier League a 'chaotic' league, of course this is just a biased statement.
"I think he wants to express that the competition here is fierce, the confrontation is strong, and the forwards are always not easy here.
"Therefore, people think that the upper limit of the Premier League is 30 goals+, but no one thought that Maël would raise this limit to 40 goals+, and what's even more deadly is that this year, looking at this momentum, he may have 50+! "Treating the Premier League as La Liga? Of course I don't mean to belittle La Liga, but..."
"."
"OhFucFantastic!! Half-time hat trick!! Consecutive hat tricks!! "Here it comes again! Here it comes again!! The 34th!! Maël has scored the upper limit of Premier League shooters in the past many years in just 19 league rounds!
"Alan Shearer, Andy Cole, you must have seen it, right?"
"."
"A cross! Bale!! Header!!"
"."
"This time it's Van Persie! Hahaha, the massacre is coming again, Arsenal, who have been holding back a belly of depression, are going to find a place in the Premier League for the EFL Cup!"
"."
"Newcastle pulled one back, it's really not easy, this is a goal to save face!"
"."
"Maël's assist! Gilbert's goal! Five to one!"
"."
"The sixth!"
"..."
"Seven to one! Ah, I really wonder what the Newcastle coach is thinking right now. They need to strengthen their defense to avoid conceding 10 goals, right?"
"..."
"The game is over. Arsenal has completed a 57-game unbeaten streak across seasons in the league with an unstoppable momentum! They are only one game away from Milan's unbeaten record!
"I believe everyone who watched this game will be absolutely sure that they are the ones to break Milan's record!!
"No one can stop them! No one!"
"..."
After this round of matches, some fans dropped several Arsenal team flags on the stands.
All the Arsenal players took them with smiles, draping or waving them as they danced around the field, letting the red Gunner flags flutter majestically in the wind at the Emirates Stadium.
Maël stood in the center circle, applauding. His face was filled with excitement, and his eyes, full of various emotions, looked towards somewhere in the sky, filled with a sense of story.
No one knows exactly what he was thinking, but everyone knows that one of the things he wanted was to see the Arsenal flag waving at the highest point.
The Boxing Day Battle finally came to an end like this. The Arsenal players gave all Arsenal fans a happy Christmas and stepped into the new year full of expectations.
"First: Arsenal, 53 points; Second: Manchester City, 44 points; Third: Chelsea, 43 points; Fourth: Manchester United, 41 points." - Premier League Round 19 standings, December 30th, still at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal ushered in the 20th round of the season, which is the 58th game across seasons.
"Doo doo doo boom boom boom...!!"
Amidst the sounds of gongs and drums, and in the midst of shouts, Maël led the Arsenal players, holding the hands of the mascots, out of the player tunnel, onto the familiar field, but with a completely different state of mind than countless times before.
This could not be the final battle for their team, but it could definitely be called a summary battle from the beginning of the 11-12 Season to today!
"Last year, we lost to Milan in the Champions League Round of 16. At that time, we comforted ourselves with a 58-game unbeaten streak."
Maël gathered his teammates in the center circle, bent down and lowered his head, placing his hand in the center, "But at that time, we were not sure whether we could complete the season unbeaten, and we never thought that we would be able to stand here today.
"Now, we stand here carrying the glory and will of our entire careers. The grass under our feet and the fans on both sides will witness this historic day, a legendary game! "We will definitely take down our opponents... Arsenal... Come on!!"
"Arsenal come on!" *10 All Arsenal players placed their hands on Maël's hand and pressed down heavily together. Their hysterical shouts were full of confidence and fighting spirit.
After completing the pre-match cheering activity, everyone scattered and ran to their positions at the fastest speed. They seemed to have endless power and vigorous vitality, and looked invincible.
Many people from Southampton started to tremble in their legs when they saw this scene.
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