Chapter Summaries

After Benzema threw the captain’s armband and blamed Mexès, Deschamps and Maël expelled him from the French Team, leaving the squad under pressure before its quarterfinal against Italy. Portugal, Germany, and Spain advanced to the semifinals, and the chapter ended as France and Italy kicked off their match.

• After returning to the locker room, Benzema assumed Deschamps would give him only a fine and an apology, while headlines and fans focused on the French Team’s internal conflict.
• At the press conference, Deschamps announced that Benzema’s European Cup journey was over, and Maël defended the decision and said France had to defeat every opponent in its path.
• An assistant coach informed Benzema that he had been expelled; after Nasri urged him to leave with dignity, Benzema packed his belongings and left the locker room.
• Maël and Deschamps rallied the French players and urged them to keep moving forward, while Lloris told the team to focus on the remaining matches.
• Portugal defeated the Czech Team 1-0, Germany beat the Greek Team 4-1, and Spanish Team eliminated England Team 2-0; Benzema then criticized Deschamps and Maël in an interview, and Maël dismissed his remarks while preparing for Italy.
• On June 24, the French Team and the Italian Team began their quarterfinal at Gdańsk Stadium, with Maël starting on the left wing alongside Giroud and Mene.

Italy’s unexpected high press unsettled France early, but Maël helped Giroud and Nasri turn a counterattack into a first-half lead. After Italy’s physical play and Buffon repeatedly denied him, Maël scored from Nasri’s late cross to secure a 2–0 victory and send France into the semifinals.

• Italy pressed France high from kickoff and threatened with quick attacks, while Buffon saved Maël’s first dangerous shot and De Rossi struck the crossbar.
• Giroud won an aerial duel and set France’s counterattack in motion, allowing Maël to pass to Nasri, who scored to put France ahead 1–0 before halftime.
• Maël’s second-half efforts were disrupted by Chiellini and other Italian defenders as the match grew increasingly physical, while Italy failed to convert its chances.
• In the 85th minute, Buffon saved Maël’s close-range attempt, and Maël briefly left the pitch with a calf impact injury before returning.
• After Bonucci cleared Nasri’s corner, Nasri crossed toward Maël outside the box, and Maël volleyed the ball into the bottom corner for a 2–0 French victory.
• Maël celebrated his sixth goal of the tournament as France advanced to the semifinals.

The French Team defeated the Italian Team to reach the European Cup semifinals, with Maël scoring and leading the celebrations. Deschamps praised Maël at the press conference, while Michel promised to pin a Medal of Honor on him if he led France to a World Cup title, and Maël promised to lend Michel his medal after winning the tournament.

• Deschamps celebrated the French Team's advance and said he believed Maël could break Platini's European Cup scoring records.
• Wenger explained to Michel that Maël's relentless extra training had helped him realize his talent, while Michel wondered how much further he could improve.
• Löw discussed how Germany might limit Maël in a potential final and assigned Boateng to mark him at right back.
• The French Team defended Italy's late attacks, and the referee ended the match with France winning through goals from Maël and Nasri.
• Maël celebrated with his teammates, and Deschamps praised him at the press conference while joking that he would apply to be Maël's hype man.
• Michel told Maël he hoped he would lead France to a World Cup title and promised to pin a Medal of Honor on him; Maël promised to lend Michel his medal after winning the tournament.

After the European Cup celebrations, Maël spent the night with Isabella, then followed the escalating Arsenal transfer news and learned that Wenger wanted him to help recruit Gareth Bale. As Spain reached the final and the French Team prepared for its semifinal, Maël looked ahead to the tournament and his future at Arsenal.

• Maël returned to Isabella after the celebrations, and she took photos of them together while he slept.
• Isabella read reports about Maël's European Cup performances and the transfer interest from Real Madrid, while Arsenal announced major moves for Cazorla and Podolski and pursued Oscar.
• Maël discussed Arsenal's possible signing of Giroud, then received Wenger's call about recruiting Real Madrid's backup target, Bale.
• Wenger explained why he trusted Maël and why Arsenal planned to pursue Bale; Maël agreed to contact Bale and invite him to the semifinal.
• The BBC reported intense transfer interest in Maël from Real Madrid, Paris, Juventus, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, alongside Benzema and Fabregas's growing discontent.
• Spain defeated Portugal 2–0 to reach the final, where Fabregas scored twice, as Maël and the French Team awaited their semifinal against Germany.

France and Germany clashed in the European Cup semifinal, and Maël gave France an explosive start with two first-half goals as both teams traded attacks. He scored again just before halftime, putting France ahead 3–1 and within one goal of Platini’s tournament record.

• Maël and Lahm signed the fair play agreement, then Löw and Deschamps gave their teams final instructions before kickoff.
• Maël dribbled past Boateng and scored after 45 seconds, giving France the fastest opening goal in European Cup history.
• Maël repeatedly broke through Germany’s defense, and Giroud scored from Nasri’s cross to extend France’s lead to 2–0 in the 24th minute.
• Mario Gomez finished a rebound in the 35th minute, narrowing Germany’s deficit to 2–1.
• Maël beat Hummels and Boateng on a counterattack and curled the ball past Neuer, making it 3–1 and bringing his tournament total to eight goals.

Maël scored a hat-trick as France defeated Germany 5–3 in a high-scoring European Cup semifinal, booking a place in the final against Spain. He tied Platini’s record of nine goals in a single European Cup and ended the match celebrated as France’s star.

• Maël scored his second goal of the match to give France a 3–1 lead at halftime, and he joked with Koscielny and Sagna on the way to the locker room.
• Löw brought on Klose and Thomas Müller to strengthen Germany’s attack, and Klose scored with a header to make it 3–2.
• Deschamps substituted Matuidi and Mexès to reinforce France’s defense, but Nasri scored on a counterattack to restore France’s two-goal lead.
• Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos combined for a Germany goal in the 86th minute, narrowing the score to 4–3.
• Nasri took a late corner, and Maël headed the ball into the net in stoppage time to complete his hat-trick and make it 5–3.
• The referee ended the match, sending France through to the final against Spain as Maël celebrated his ninth goal of the tournament.

After leading France past Germany and into the European Cup final, Maël faced pressure, attention, and Bale’s uncertainty about joining Arsenal. As the final began, Mendes helped him focus by showing him the Henri Delaunay Trophy, and Maël prepared to face Spain with renewed resolve.

• France defeated Germany 5–3 in the semifinal, with Maël scoring a hat trick, and advanced to the final.
• Maël dismissed doubts at the post-match interview and said he was progressing toward his goal of winning everything.
• Maël arranged recovery work with Safina, spoke with Isabella, and learned that Bale was considering Arsenal but would believe in Maël’s ambition if France won the European Cup.
• Maël spent the following days training and recovering while feeling numb and increasingly pressured ahead of the final.
• Before the final, Mendes took Maël to see the Henri Delaunay Trophy and helped him regain focus.
• Maël steadied himself and prepared to face Fabregas and Spain in the European Cup final at Warsaw National Stadium.

Maël led the French Team into the European Cup final against the Spanish Team, and the sides played a tense, scoreless first half. In the dressing room, Maël urged his teammates to send the ball directly toward him on counters, and the second half began with the title still undecided.

• Maël and Deschamps agreed to keep Michel away so the French Team could focus, then led the players out for the closing ceremony.
• The ceremony presented the tournament bracket and revealed the final matchup between the French Team and the Spanish Team.
• The Spanish Team dominated possession and created several shots, while Maël threatened with a header that Casillas saved.
• Deschamps told Sagna to relay a more aggressive defensive approach, and Del Bosque considered bringing on Pedro and Torres as the French Team pressed harder.
• The first half ended 0-0, and Maël told his teammates to launch direct balls toward him so he could attack Spain before its defense recovered.
• The players returned to the pitch, and the referee started the second half.

Maël equalized for France with a long-range strike in the final moments after Spain had taken the lead from Xabi Alonso’s penalty, sending the European Cup final into extra time. The first half of extra time began with both teams exhausted and Spain controlling possession.

• Maël broke through Spain’s defense in the 54th minute, but Casillas saved his close-range shot.
• Clichy brought down Fabregas in the penalty area, and Xabi Alonso converted the penalty to give Spain a 1–0 lead.
• Maël kept pushing France forward despite Spain’s packed defense and scored a long-range equalizer in the 89th minute, setting a new European Cup scoring record with his tenth goal.
• The referee ended full time at 1–1, and both teams prepared for extra time as Maël urged France to keep fighting.
• Spain controlled the ball at the start of extra time while Maël relied on his stamina to keep moving with France’s formation.

France beat Spain 3–2 in the 2012 European Cup final after Maël scored a late extra-time winner, and the French Team celebrated their championship in Warsaw. Maël lifted the trophy as captain after finishing the tournament with 11 goals in six matches.

• Giroud scored from Nasri’s cross to put France ahead 2–1 in extra time, and France held that lead through the first half of extra time.
• Piqué headed Spain’s equalizer in the 117th minute, while Koscielny suffered an injury and France had to continue with ten players.
• Maël intercepted a pass late in extra time, dribbled past Spain’s defenders, and scored the winning goal to make it 3–2.
• The referee ended the match after Ben Arfa won a foul, and France celebrated their European Cup victory as rain fell over the stadium.
• Maël received his medal and raised the Delaunay Trophy as France’s captain.

After France won the 2012 European Cup, Maël collected four individual awards and celebrated with his teammates and Isabella. The French team returned home to a hero’s welcome, where Maël received the Legion of Honour Medal.

• Fabregas smashed up Spain’s locker room, fought with Xavi over Barcelona and Maël, and announced he was leaving the Spanish National Team and Barcelona for the Premier League.
• Maël reunited with Isabella on the pitch, received her bouquet of roses, and celebrated France’s victory with his family and teammates.
• Maël won Best Young Player, Golden Boot, Finals Best Player, and Player of the Tournament, while Iniesta received the Assists Leader award.
• France’s players celebrated their European Cup triumph, and Maël told the team they were all champions of Europe before returning to the hotel with Isabella.
• French jets escorted the team home, fans welcomed them with a parade through Paris, and Michel awarded Maël the Legion of Honour Medal at the Élysée Palace.

After France’s European Cup victory, Maël visited youth academies, encouraged young players, and donated football boots before learning how sharply his bonuses and commercial value had risen. He later met Mendes to review major endorsement deals, while Arsenal’s summer recruitment continued to dominate the news.

• Michel asked Maël to visit Paris youth academies, and Maël agreed before beginning the championship promotion tour with Le Graët.
• At Clairefontaine, Maël met Young Mbappé and Saliba, then noticed that Alphonso’s boots had fallen apart and arranged for Collaboration Shoes to be delivered to the academy.
• Maël gave out boots to young players, including Alphonso, and learned that his European Cup bonuses totaled six million pounds while Collaboration Shoes had sold 430,000 pairs.
• Arsenal pursued several major signings, and Thiago Silva arrived in London for final contract negotiations with the club.
• Maël met Mendes in Paris and reviewed six brand endorsements and thirteen promotional ads worth tens of millions of pounds.

After signing a lucrative Dior Perfume endorsement and planning a company to manage his growing business interests, Maël returned to London as Arsenal completed major transfers and prepared for the new season. He was welcomed by Arsenal fans at the airport and by the entire club at Colney Training Base.

• Maël and Mendes met Bernard Arnault in Paris and signed a four-plus-one-year Dior Perfume contract worth £20 million, with additional bonuses.
• Maël decided to establish a company to manage his assets and a sports-marketing business, while Mendes began finding operators to support it.
• Arsenal introduced Thiago Silva as a new signing, while Chelsea signed Oscar, Fabregas, and Benzema amid a flurry of transfer news.
• Maël and Mendes agreed to pursue a higher-paying Arsenal contract, and Maël flew back to London on July 14.
• Arsenal fans celebrated Maël's return at the airport, and Maël stopped to greet them and sign autographs.
• Wenger, the Arsenal squad, coaches, and club staff welcomed Maël at Colney Training Base, where he reunited with his teammates.

Maël returned to Arsenal, where his teammates and staff welcomed him and Van Persie handed him the captain’s armband for the new season. As preparations began, Maël reviewed the schedule and his goals, then trained until Fancy Dribbling reached lv4, leaving him eager to keep improving.

• Maël reunited with Gilbert, Wenger, Kroenke, and the Arsenal players and staff, who welcomed him with gifts and congratulations.
• Hans gave Maël a pair of LM7 boots covered in blessings from his family, recalling how their friendship began with football boots.
• Van Persie gave Maël the captain’s armband, making him captain of Arsenal as well as the French Team.
• Maël celebrated at home with Isabella and his team, then reviewed the upcoming fixtures and his ambitions for the new season.
• Maël returned to training, where Fancy Dribbling reached lv4 on July 20 and Fancy Skills lv2 neared its next breakthrough.
• On July 26, Maël checked his skill progress and planned to keep training toward further upgrades.

Arsenal opened their new season by beating Manchester City 4–0 in the Emirates Cup, and Maël declared that the team should pursue a treble. Arsenal then made an £80 million offer for Gareth Bale, while their rotated lineup prepared to face Kitchee for a chance to win the cup.

• Wenger fielded Arsenal’s new lineup against Manchester City, and Maël rallied his teammates before they began the friendly with a high press.
• Maël assisted Van Persie for the opening goal, then scored twice as Arsenal defeated Manchester City 4–0.
• Maël told Wenger he wanted Arsenal to win the Premier League and Community Shield while chasing the Champions League and FA Cup.
• Reports suggested Hugo Lloris wanted to join an English club and Lyon would not block his transfer.
• Levy grew frustrated with Real Madrid’s pursuit of Bale, then accepted Arsenal’s £80 million offer as worthy of negotiations.
• After Cologne and Manchester City drew 1–1, Arsenal began their match against Kitchee with a fully rotated lineup, knowing a win could secure the Emirates Cup.

Maël celebrated his nineteenth birthday with Arsenal’s Emirates Cup triumph, a lavish endorsement offer, and a video looking back at his achievements at eighteen. Isabella offered to merge her Primacy brand into Maël’s planned company and asked if he wanted to marry her; the chapter ended with Arsenal beating Cologne 5–1 before the Community Shield final.

• Arsenal beat Kitchee 6–0 to secure the Emirates Cup, and Maël lifted his first trophy as captain.
• Emirates Airlines offered Maël an endorsement deal worth £4.65 million a year and gave him expensive watches as a welcome gift.
• Maël celebrated his nineteenth birthday with friends, teammates, and colleagues, then watched a fan-made video recounting his achievements at eighteen.
• Isabella offered Maël her Primacy sports brand as a gift, and Maël said he thought he wanted to marry her.
• Arsenal beat Cologne 5–1 as Podolski scored a hat-trick and Maël contributed a goal and an assist, ending their preseason friendlies ahead of the Community Shield final.

Maël signed a three-year Ferrari endorsement, agreed to meet Florentino and Guardiola after the Community Shield, and planned to build Isabella’s Primacy brand into his own company. As Arsenal courted Bale, Maël’s Transfermarkt value rose to €135 million, tying him with Messi for world number one, while Bale began to feel he belonged at Arsenal.

• Mendes finalized Maël’s Ferrari endorsement, and Maël asked him to reserve a LaFerrari and arrange a secret meeting with Florentino and Guardiola after the Community Shield.
• Maël told Mendes he planned to buy most of Isabella’s shares in Primacy and develop it as his personal brand, and Mendes agreed to approach Puma about the plan.
• Mr. Wenger invited Maël, Gilbert, and Ramsey to persuade Bale to join Arsenal, and Bale said he still intended to honor his promise if the terms were suitable.
• Maël and Arsenal’s players took Bale and the new signings on a tour of London, helping them bond and giving Bale a taste of life at the club.
• The players watched Transfermarkt’s update at Maël’s home, where Maël’s value reached €135 million, tying him with Messi for first place, and Arsenal’s total value rose to €620 million.
• After spending the day with Arsenal’s players, Bale appeared increasingly comfortable with the prospect of joining them.

Maël’s record-breaking value and commercial appeal intensified debate over his place alongside Messi and Ronaldo, while Arsenal prepared to face Chelsea in the Community Shield. The final began at Wembley after Maël and his teammates snubbed Benzema, Ribery, and Fabregas, as Mendes privately weighed his ties to Maël, Ronaldo, Florentino, and Guardiola.

• Maël’s value rose to 135 million, tying Messi for the world’s highest, while Arsenal’s squad value surged and fans argued over whether the valuation was justified.
• Arsenal’s new kits and Maël commemorative shirts sold rapidly, and Little Kroenke and Wenger discussed Maël’s commercial earnings and an upcoming Premier League-record pay rise.
• Maël upgraded Fancy Footwork and signed three Procter & Gamble brand deals worth 27 million pounds over three years; Mendes estimated Maël could earn major bonuses from the Community Shield.
• Messi and Ronaldo both admitted that Maël was stronger than they had been at age 18, increasing anticipation for Arsenal’s Wembley clash with Chelsea.
• At Wembley, Maël led Arsenal onto the pitch, and he and his teammates refused to shake hands with Benzema, Ribery, and Fabregas before the Community Shield final began to the crowd singing “Hey Jude.”
• In the stadium, Florentino questioned Mendes about Maël and Ronaldo, and Mendes later visited Guardiola and Bayern Munich’s analysts in another box.

Arsenal faced Chelsea in the Community Shield final, and Maël missed a first-half penalty after a spectacular run. He recovered after halftime, scoring twice to give Arsenal a 2–0 lead as the match continued.

• Benitez organized Chelsea's compact defense, but Maël dribbled past Ivanović and Ribery before curling a shot just wide.
• Fabregas created a chance for Torres, and later Cazorla set up Gervinho, whose shot missed the target.
• Maël beat five Chelsea defenders on a counterattack before Terry fouled him in the box; the referee awarded a penalty and showed Terry a yellow card.
• Čech saved Maël's penalty, leaving him frustrated at halftime, but Wenger encouraged him to keep pursuing a perfect performance.
• Maël nutmegged David Luiz and scored with an outside-foot shot to put Arsenal ahead in the 51st minute.
• Maël headed in the rebound after Van Persie's header struck the crossbar, making it 2–0; Wenger prepared to bring on Gilbert as Chelsea's challenge grew harder.

Arsenal defeated Chelsea 4–1 in the Community Shield final, with Maël scoring four goals, including a spectacular acrobatic finish, and Gilbert making his first-team debut. Maël lifted his first trophy as Arsenal captain, while his sights turned to completing the English Football Grand Slam.

• After Giroud came off, Gilbert made his Arsenal first-team debut and helped Arteta strengthen the midfield defense.
• Fabregas scored for Chelsea to make it 2–1, but Gilbert later dispossessed him and launched an Arsenal attack.
• Maël scored a spectacular acrobatic goal to complete his hat-trick and give Arsenal a 3–1 lead.
• Gilbert set up Maël for his fourth goal, and Arsenal beat Chelsea 4–1 to win the Community Shield.
• Maël lifted the trophy as captain and received the Finals Best Player award, leaving the FA Cup as the remaining major English title he sought.