The Greatest of all Time

Chapter 707  The Calm after the Liverpool vs. City Storm

Zachary spent the rest of his day at Melwood, Liverpool's historic training ground that had become his second home since joining the Reds.

He dove headfirst into his post-match recovery routine, making full use of Melwood's state-of-the-art facilities. Ice baths, massages, light exercises, and personalized treatment sessions with the physios helped his muscles heal and prepared him for the battles ahead.

Liverpool's high-performance facilities had been key to the club's success. Melwood wasn't just a training ground—it was a hub of innovation, fitness, and recovery, fitted with advanced cryotherapy chambers, swimming pools, and medical technologies.

For Zachary, this was a perfect environment. It allowed him to maintain peak condition through a combination of physical recovery and mental sharpness.

Throughout the day, he moved between the hydrotherapy pools and physiotherapy sessions, taking only a brief break for lunch with the rest of the squad. The team was still buzzing from their win against City.

Over lunch, Zachary chatted with his teammates about memorable moments from recent games, especially the City match, which had been a true test of character.

The team spirit at Liverpool was unlike anything he'd experienced before. Jürgen Klopp had built a unit that felt more like a family than just a team, with every player invested in both their personal growth and collective success.

After lunch, Zachary continued his post-match recovery, spending more time working with the physios and then engaging in some light stretching routines. He understood the importance of looking after his body, especially with the season's demands intensifying.

It was early evening by the time Zachary finished his recovery session. The day had flown by quickly, and as the light began to dim, he decided to wrap things up. He exchanged a few more words with his teammates, most of whom had already left, and headed toward the exit.

Outside, his new Audi RS7 Sportback, a gleaming custom black model, awaited him.

The car had been delivered as part of an endorsement deal with Audi, which was one of several high-profile contracts Zachary had signed since his move to Liverpool. The sleek design and roaring engine of the car matched Zachary's style—sharp, powerful, and fast.

As he settled into the plush leather seats, Zachary took a moment to enjoy the quietness of the evening. He switched on the car's engine, which purred to life.

The RS7 glided out of the Melwood complex and onto the Liverpool streets, the autumn breeze softly blowing through the city. The roads were quieter now, the chaos of match day long behind.

The city of Liverpool had truly become his home. He loved the spirit of the people, the passion for football that resonated in every corner, and the sense of history that permeated places like Anfield.

It felt right. It felt like destiny that he had ended up here, especially under a manager like Klopp, who had helped him develop even further.

Zachary pulled into the driveway of his Woolton mansion at around 7:15 PM.

The sprawling house, situated in one of Liverpool's most affluent suburbs, had a warm and welcoming aura to it. Inside, everything was designed for relaxation—a haven from the intensity of football life.

The first thing Zachary did upon entering was head straight to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. He then settled into the large sofa in the living room and turned on the television.

The sports channels were alive with discussions of two major topics: the recently concluded Premier League matches and the release of the Ballon d'Or shortlist.

Zachary flicked between channels, smiling to himself as pundits analyzed the dramatic clash between Liverpool and Manchester City.

Most shows were praising Liverpool's unbeaten run, and many of the analysts agreed that the addition of Zachary to the already formidable trio of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, and Roberto Firmino had made Klopp's side even more deadly.

The presenters marveled at how Klopp's attacking philosophy was flourishing, thanks to Zachary's ability to dictate play from midfield while adding a significant goal threat himself. With nine goals in eight games, Zachary was leading the Premier League's top scorers' list, a feat that was not lost on the pundits.

Gary Lineker, presenting on Match of the Day, led the praise: "This Liverpool side is scary good. Zachary has brought something different to the midfield, a balance of creativity, strength, and goal-scoring ability. He's the key that Klopp didn't know he needed. And with him, they are going to be hard to stop this season."

The talk then shifted to the Ballon d'Or shortlist, and most of the shows were unanimous in their predictions—Zachary was the heavy favorite to win football's most prestigious individual award.

His success with Juventus, winning the Champions League and Serie A, followed by leading Ivory Coast to their first-ever World Cup victory, had firmly established him as a global superstar. The fact that he had seamlessly transitioned to the Premier League, scoring goals for fun, only added to his credentials.

As Zachary listened to the various shows dissect the nominees, he felt a sense of pride. This was the culmination of years of hard work, and being one of the favorites for the Ballon d'Or was a huge honor.

However, he knew there was more to achieve. He couldn't let himself get too caught up in the hype. His focus was always on the next match, the next challenge.

Zachary then remained deep in thought while watching the TV shows until his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and smiled.

It was Emily Anderson, his agent. Emily had been with him through the ups and downs of his career, and her infectious energy was always a welcome distraction from the intense world of football.

"Zachary!" Emily's cheerful voice came through the phone. "Congratulations! You're on the Ballon d'Or shortlist! Did you see the news yet?"

Zachary chuckled, leaning back on the sofa. "Yeah, I saw it, ages ago. It's surreal, you know? But I'm not surprised—I mean, if not me, then who?" His voice was filled with humor, but beneath the joke, there was a sense of confidence that came with knowing he had worked for it.

Emily laughed. "You're so humble. But hey, you deserve it. Champions League, Serie A, World Cup—what more could you ask for?"

They talked for a while, their conversation flowing easily. They discussed not only Zachary's contract with Liverpool but also the endorsement deals with Audi and Nike, both of which had played significant roles in elevating Zachary's global profile.

Audi had provided his RS7 Sportback and a few other high end cars, while Nike had created a special line of boots designed specifically for him, which had become a hit with fans around the world.

Fifteen minutes passed quickly, and then Emily's tone shifted slightly. "Zachary, I almost forgot to remind you—the date for my wedding has been set. It's on Saturday, October 27th."

Zachary frowned for a moment, remembering that Liverpool had a match that day. "October 27th… we're playing that day, right? I might not make it."

"Oh, don't worry about that," Emily said with a chuckle. "The reception is in the evening. You can come after the match. You won't miss it."

Zachary breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright, I'll be there. Wouldn't miss it for the world."

They continued chatting for a bit longer, making some small talk about wedding preparations and reminiscing about old times.

But as the conversation wound down, a thought lingered in Zachary's mind. He had always relied on Emily for her support and advice. She had been more than just an agent—she was a confidante. Now, with her getting married, he wondered if things might change.

Would she still be as available, as involved?

Just as Zachary was lost in introspection, his phone rang again. He glanced at the screen and smiled. It was Kristin, his personal assistant. If anyone had been by his side as much as Emily, it was Kristin.

Kristin's voice came through, cheerful and filled with warmth. "Zachary! Congratulations on making the Ballon d'Or shortlist! I knew you'd do it!"

Zachary smiled, feeling his spirits lift even more. Kristin had always been a positive presence in his life, and their connection had deepened ever since their trip to Abidjan and their awkward but memorable night there.

"Thanks, Kristin," Zachary replied. "It's been a crazy few months, but it's all coming together."

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, as it always did. They talked about the thrilling match against City, the progress of the football academy in Bukavu, and, of course, Zachary's Ballon d'Or chances.

Kristin was adamant that he would win the award. "No one else comes close, Zachary. You've achieved so much this year. You've got this in the bag."

"We'll see," Zachary said, trying to remain grounded. "There's a lot of competition, but I'm just focused on what's ahead. This season is going to be long, and we've got a lot of work to do with Liverpool."

They talked for nearly forty minutes, covering topics ranging from football to life. There was an easy, unspoken connection between them. Since that night in Abidjan, there had been sparks between them, but neither was in a hurry to make the first move. They simply enjoyed their conversations, letting things develop naturally.

As Zachary hung up the phone, he felt a sense of calm.

The day had been filled with reminders of how far he had come and how many people supported him. His concerns about Emily getting married faded—he knew that Kristin, in her own way, was there for him as well. He had a strong support system, and that meant everything.