Maël

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Maël (马埃尔)
Alias(es)	Maher; Maell
Gender	Male
Nationality	French
Affiliation	Arsenal; formerly Arsenal U17 and Sheffield United (loan)
Occupation/Role	Professional footballer; winger/forward
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Long Shot Lv1	1	The Proficiency Panel first appears; Lv1 is identified as the lowest level and Lv5 as the highest.
Long Shot Lv2	2	Reached through relentless shooting practice.
Strength Lv1	3	Unlocked through specialized strength training; improves physical confrontation and powerful shooting.
Strength Lv2	7	Achieved before Arsenal's trial match against Liverpool.
Long Shot Lv3	7	Reaches the level Maël had targeted before the end of his trial.
Curve Cross Lv2	18	Improves the quality of his crosses.
Bicycle Kick Lv2	18	Developed during one-on-one training with Gilbert.
Observation Lv1	21	Awakens after his first Sheffield United training match; improves his ability to read play.
Coordination	42	Gains a documented upgrade, making his breakthrough actions more composed and reducing the impact of physical clashes.
Insight Lv2	47	Observation evolves into a stronger game-reading skill, helping him notice subtle movements and track teammates.
Cannon Shot Lv4	54	His first Lv4 skill; significantly strengthens his long-range shooting.
Speed / Explosion Lv3	63	Enhances burst acceleration and makes his first 30 meters noticeably faster.
Judgment of Situation Lv3	69	Further develops his perception and ability to predict teammates' and opponents' actions.
Instep Pass Lv3	72	Increases the speed of his passes.
Cross Lv4	74	Reached through Christmas Eve training for the Boxing Day match.
Curved Shot Lv4	86	Upgraded through intensified shooting practice.
Weak Foot Lv2	91	Gives his left foot practical capability, though technical actions still require more preparation time.
Speed / Sprint Lv4	109	Leads to a recorded top sprint speed of 23.8 mph (over 38.4 km/h).
Stamina Lv3	115	Greatly improves aerobic and anaerobic endurance.
Ball Control Lv2	116	Unlocks after sustained trapping and ball-control practice.
Rhythm	116	First additional skill unlocked through Ball Control.
Strength Lv4	118	Gives Maël a markedly more formidable physique.
Volley Lv4	177	Upgraded alongside Outside of the Foot Shot.
Outside of the Foot Shot Lv4	177	Raises his outside-of-the-foot finishing to Lv4.
Long Shot Lv5 — Tomahawk Cannon Lv5	220	His first Lv5 skill, unlocking an elite long-range shooting ability.
Fancy Footwork Lv4	286	Brings all of his former Lv3 skills to Lv4.
Shooting / Shooting Technique composite skills	286	Acquired as comprehensive shooting skills after extended training.

Background / History

Maël begins as a financially unsupported young footballer on trial with Arsenal U17. His worn-out shoes and need to work outside training reflect the pressure surrounding his attempt to remain at the academy. Head coach Hans lends him an old pair of boots, while Maël commits himself to making the trial count. 1 3

During this period, Maël discovers the Proficiency Panel, which lets him develop football skills through focused practice. He builds his game around long shots and physical training, responds to hostility from Arsenal U17 defender Ian without being intimidated, and earns a starting place for the Liverpool trial match. 1 3 7

After his trial, Sheffield United scout Joelson prioritizes Maël as a prospect and helps arrange his move to Sheffield United alongside Gilbert. Maël uses the loan spell to establish himself in the Championship, combining goals, crosses, assists, and relentless extra training. 13 21 22

His Sheffield performances bring Player of the Month honors, a rising valuation, media attention, and an Arsenal contract renewal. He later returns to Arsenal's first team, where he becomes a key player in the Premier League and Champions League. 52 59 60 148

Maël continues to pursue all-around mastery rather than settling for his existing success. His stated goal is to reach both his personal limit and the limit of every footballer who has come before him. 251 286

Personality

Maël is intensely disciplined and improvement-driven. He regularly adds hours of training beyond team sessions, plans his skill development strategically, and continues pursuing upgrades even after becoming a star player. 23 54 260

He is confident, ambitious, and often expresses serious goals through clumsy jokes. He wants professional goals and assists, major honors, Champions League records, and eventually a level of football no one else has reached. 22 148 251

Despite his competitiveness, Maël learns to respect opponents rather than treating them as insignificant obstacles. He values teammates who support him, rewards the staff around him, and remains affectionate toward his family. 53 115 75

Abilities & Skills

Proficiency Panel

Maël possesses a system that displays skill proficiencies and converts sustained specialized training into upgrades.

• Lv1 is the lowest documented level; Lv5 represents the highest human standard for an athletic or physical ability. 1
• Specialized training can unlock entirely new skills, as demonstrated by Strength. 3
• The system also reinforces his focus and commitment during training and matches. 21

Long-Range Shooting

Long-range shooting is Maël's earliest and most recognizable strength.

• His long shots can break deadlocks and force coaching staffs to notice him. 3 5
• Cannon Shot reaches Lv4 before evolving into Tomahawk Cannon Lv5. 54 220
• He also develops Curved Shot, Volley, and Outside of the Foot Shot as high-level finishing options. 86 177

Pace and Physicality

Maël combines explosive acceleration with increasing strength, coordination, and stamina.

• His Speed Lv4 produces a recorded peak of 23.8 mph, or over 38.4 km/h. 109 110
• Strength improves his ability to withstand contact and shoot with force. 3 118
• Stamina Lv3 strengthens both aerobic and anaerobic running capacity. 115
• Coordination helps him stay composed during dribbles and physical challenges. 42

Crossing and Passing

Maël develops from a shooter into a winger capable of creating chances for teammates.

• Curve Cross Lv2 improves his crossing quality. 18
• Cross Lv4 becomes a major weapon in Sheffield United's wing-focused play. 74
• Instep Pass Lv3 increases pass speed. 72
• His Observation and Judgment skills improve his ability to select targets rather than merely deliver dangerous balls. 47 69

Dribbling and Ball Control

Maël trains ball control and dribbling to cope with higher-level defenders and play more creatively.

• Ball Control unlocks Rhythm as its first additional skill. 116
• He develops step-overs, crossovers, pendulum-style dribbling, Fancy Dribbling, and Fancy Skills. 52 79 176 177
• Fancy Footwork reaches Lv4 as part of his broader effort to eliminate weaknesses. 286

Game Reading

Maël's mental skills develop alongside his technical ability.

• Observation awakens during his early Sheffield United training match. 21
• Insight Lv2 allows him to catch subtle movements and better follow teammates' runs. 47
• Judgment of Situation improves his prediction of both allies and opponents. 69

Equipment and Support Team

• Hans's old boots — Lent to Maël during his Arsenal U17 trial when his own shoes were falling apart. 1
• Physiotherapy team — Maël hires Harry as physiotherapist and Harry's sister Safina as nutritionist. 72
• Cryotherapy chamber — Used to improve recovery and reduce injury risk. 158
• Puma sponsorship — Includes performance-based bonuses and plans for collaboration shoes. 142
• Hall of Fame — A personal trophy and memorabilia display opened after Arsenal's League Cup victory. 203

Relationships

• Gilbert — Close friend, training partner, and fellow Arsenal prospect; they train together at Sheffield United, support each other through conflicts, and remain emotionally important despite Gilbert's move to Bournemouth. 18 48 115 148
• Hans — Arsenal U17 head coach who supports Maël during his trial by lending him boots; later takes pride in Maël's progress. 1 52
• Joelson — Sheffield United scout who identifies Maël's potential, recommends him to the club, and continues monitoring his development. 13 21 22
• Gareth Speed — Sheffield United manager who recognizes Maël's potential, provides opportunities, and values his effect on team morale. 22 68 71
• Jorge Mendes — Maël's agent; advises him on his career path, negotiates professional matters, and helps manage his growing commercial profile. 68 69 241
• Pepino — Mendes agency representative who first approaches Maël and later assists with contracts and business matters. 54 115
• Isabella — Friend, business partner, and later girlfriend; supports Maël's career, develops co-branded sportswear, and shares his ambition to own a football club. 116 148 203
• Harry and Safina — Maël's physiotherapist and nutritionist; he rewards them with gifts and salary increases after Sheffield United's Championship success. 72 115
• Clermont family — Maël's uncle's family, including Ava; they support him despite earlier financial hardship and travel to Sheffield to watch him play. 2 71 75
• Arsène Wenger — Arsenal manager and mentor figure who supports Maël's development and recognizes his hard work. 59 177

Story Role / Major Arcs

Arsenal U17 Trial

Maël enters Arsenal's U17 trial with little financial support, discovers the Proficiency Panel, develops Long Shot and Strength, and earns selection for the Liverpool trial match. 1 3 7

Sheffield United Loan

At Sheffield United, Maël turns early training-match promise into Championship performances, becoming a leading scorer and assist provider while developing his crossing, observation, speed, and physical foundation. 21 22 52 63

Rise to Stardom

His Sheffield success earns him increased Transfermarkt valuations, a new Arsenal contract, agent representation, commercial opportunities, and growing international attention. 59 60 68 93 109

Arsenal First Team

After returning to Arsenal, Maël develops into one of the side's decisive players. He contributes in the Premier League and Champions League, wins the Golden Boy Award, and helps end Arsenal's major-trophy drought through a League Cup final hat-trick. 148 177 203

Pursuit of the Human Limit

Maël begins targeting Lv5 skills and comprehensive abilities, viewing his continued training as a path toward becoming an unprecedented all-around footballer. 166 220 251 286

Honors and Recognition

• Championship Player of the Month — September. 52 53
• Sheffield United internal Player of the Month. 52
• Man of the Match and Half-Season Best Player — Following Sheffield United's 4–2 win over Hull City. 79
• Golden Boy Award 2011. 177
• Premier League Player of the Month — February. 203
• Premier League Player of the Month — April. 214
• Champions League Man of the Match — Against Dortmund after scoring Arsenal's winning goal. 148
• Legion of Honour Medal — Awarded by the Republic after the European Cup victory. 239

Trivia

• Maël initially wants a €3 million valuation; his Transfermarkt value later reaches €20 million at age 17. 22 93
• His first recorded top-speed test is 23.8 mph, while Gilbert's best recorded speed is 19.9 mph. 110
• Maël's co-branded sportswear sells over 40,000 pieces. 116
• He often uses jokes to express his ambitions or relieve tension. 22 31 251