The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 37 Mbappé: As long as you are fast enough, there is no one you can’t pass
Clairefontaine, Yvelines, 50 kilometers southwest of Paris, France.

A car was driving through a dense oak forest, with Gaio and Chatham sitting in the back seat.

Memories kept churning in Gaio's mind. This was a place he was very familiar with, yet it was also his first time here.

Clairefontaine.

Translated, it means "clear spring water", and the French Football Federation hopes that this will become a source of talent for French football.

In 1976, the French Football Federation decided to set up a national football training center around Paris.

In 1982, the town of Clairefontaine was selected.

In 1988, the Clairefontaine Youth Training Camp was officially completed.

Ten years after its completion, on July 12, 1998, Clairefontaine became a holy place for French football - that day, France won the World Cup!

Many football stars that are familiar to football fans have gone to the world from this quiet town - Henry, Anelka, Trezeguet, Gallas, Benzema, Nasri
A few years ago, Gaio joined Lille from here and started his professional career.

Time passed quickly, Clairefontaine was still Clairefontaine, but he was no longer himself.

The car passed through the dense Lambouillet Forest and arrived at the gate of the Clairefontaine youth training camp.

Chatham took Gaio in. Someone had made arrangements for them to wait in the lounge area until all the participants arrived.

Chatham checked his phone, "Ilion and the others haven't arrived yet. We have to wait."

"Okay." Gaio didn't care. This was how participating in an event was: cumbersome procedures and never-ending queues of participants.

The rest area is a series of simple compartments, with posters showing Clairefontaine's achievements over the past 20 years.

Those outstanding French players are posted here as examples.

The power of their example will attract generations of young French players to join Clairefontaine, and then go to all parts of the world from here.

Suddenly, a thought popped into Gaio's mind - would there be a day when they would post themselves there too?

Didn't have to wait too long.

Ilion has arrived.

The moment he saw Gaio, Ilion smiled and said, "We meet again."

"Uncle Albert." Gaio greeted according to his memory.

Albert Ilion.

"Good boy, I saw your recent game, it was pretty good." Ilion walked over and patted Gaio on the shoulder, then said to Chatham, "Come on, let's go through the procedures of the youth training camp organizers first, and then we'll go meet Zinedine later. He's very interested in Gaio."

Chatham nodded, "What has Zinedine been doing lately?"

Ilion replied: "He is currently working as the Director of Football Affairs for the Real Madrid first team. It's a very vague position with no specific job requirements. It was created specifically for him by Florentino."

Chatham sighed, "That old Spanish man really trusts him."

Ilion smiled. "Of course. A few months ago, a French kid was signed by Real Madrid on Zinedine's recommendation. You know, Florentino Perez has always only cared about established players and never considered potential players."

"Which French kid?"

"A player from Lens' first team, a 17-year-old defender, Raphael Varane, is now at Real Madrid."

Chatham and Ilion were chatting back and forth, and Gaio, who was behind them, was also listening to their conversation while looking around.

Zinedine Zidane.

This is an extremely legendary name in France.

Since retiring in 2006, there seems to be no news about him in the football world. In fact, he has been living with his family in Madrid. His three children - Enzo, Luca and Theo - have successively joined the Real Madrid youth training camp.

He appeared in the fans' field of vision in 2009.

At that time, Real Madrid president Calderon resigned.

When Florentino was running for president, he understood what Zidane meant to Real Madrid members, so he promised that if he was elected, he would appoint Zidane as an advisor.

Florentino kept his promise.

Having Zidane as the team consultant gave him enough freedom until 2010, when a big man came to Madrid - Mourinho, who led Inter Milan to win the treble.

Mourinho said publicly in an interview with French TV, "I hope Zidane will be with me and not always stay next to the chairman."

Subsequently, Real Madrid issued a statement outlining Zidane's responsibilities: to create a good working environment for the first team.

To put it bluntly, it is to assist Mourinho in stabilizing the locker room.

It was at this time that Zidane truly began to learn how to be a head coach and found his post-retirement goal.

soon.

Gaio also found his target, and Zidane was surrounded by people and walked in the front.

Ilion, Chatham, and Gaio were almost at the end.

Chatham said to Gaio, "Come on, let's follow and see."

They are just gathering the numbers for this kind of activity.

Gaio didn't even hear what the person in front of him was saying. He just followed them around the place where he had stayed for two years.

Looking back, everything has changed.

At the end of the event, all the current Clairefontaine youth players gathered to listen to the teachings of these predecessors.

Zidane was giving a speech on the stage.

Gaio had sharp eyes and he noticed a little guy in the crowd with his chin raised.

The boy who looks like a Ninja Turtle is listening carefully to the words of his father idol.

Kylian Mbappé.

Gaio looked at Director Xiaomu, who was only about 13 years old, for a while. The latter seemed to notice that someone was looking at him and looked over here.

Gaio gave him a small smile.

Mbappe also smiled friendly, and then continued to look at Zidane.

He has a clever connection with Zidane.

On July 21, 1998, football coach Wilfried and his five-month pregnant wife Faiza witnessed the history of French football amid the shouts of Zidane.

Four months later, Mbappé was born.

"Let's go." Aerion's words interrupted Gaio's thoughts.

The event has ended.

Next is time for free communication.

Ilion took Chatham and Gaio to find Zidane, but there were too many people around Zidane and they couldn't leave.

At this moment.

Gaio saw Mbappé who was also blocked by the crowd.

Gaio suddenly said to him, "Hey, Killian, I know you."

Mbappé didn't expect anyone to call him.

He looked at Gaio, a little confused, "Sir, do we know each other?"

Gaio shook his head. "But my brother, Lupe Divan Gaio, has seen you play. He's in the Paris youth academy and often plays on the fields around Paris. You're very fast."

Mbappé didn't have time to search his memory to see if he knew the boy named Lupe Diwang Gaio.

He felt a little proud when he heard someone praising his speed.

Unexpectedly, Gaio changed the subject and said to him, "But if you want to be a good winger, you need to practice your skills more. Speed ​​alone is not enough."

This made Mbappé uncomfortable, and he seemed to be arguing a bit. "As long as I'm fast enough, there's no one I can't get past. I don't need any fancy breakthrough techniques. With my one explosive run, no one can stop me except by fouling me."

Gaio was about to say a few more words.

But Mbappé saw a vacant space in front of him and quickly rushed forward to take the position.

Although he was behind the person next to him, he finally got the position.

Then Mbappé turned his head and looked at Gaio as if in protest.

Gaio smiled without saying anything.

next moment.

Gaio put away his smile, and not far behind Mbappé, a deep gaze looked at him.

Gaio met that gaze.

(End of this chapter)