THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME

Shortly after settling on one of the tables, Zachary busied himself with exchanging small talk with the rest of his teammates. Players like Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo, and even Gianluigi Buffon, the highly experienced captain, approached his table and offered their greetings one after the other. And like Evra, a few, who were more familiar with Zachary, even teased him about his choice of outfit for the dinner party.

Zachary, of course, was on his best behavior during the party. He returned their greetings with a smile and didn't get irritated because of their teasing. His heart was like that of a Buddha, without any ripples as he sat there, letting the club's festive mood wash over him.

A few minutes later, all the players took their seats around the dinner tables, and the party officially commenced. The waiters and waitresses swarmed in and started serving the food and drinks. And with that, the bunch of well-dressed Juventus players busied themselves with their food while at times toasting to each other and exchanging some small talk.

It was as if the celebratory mood was weaving all the players, coaches, technical staff, and club officials together as the most magnificent tapestry. They didn't stop chatting and laughing as they feasted. Anyone watching from a distance could see they were having a good time and bonding as a team.

"Ding! Ding! Ding..."

Suddenly a couple of rhythmic clinking chimes sounded as the dinner party was in full gear. With a slight tilt of the head, Zachary immediately noticed that Fabio Paratici, the Juventus sporting director, was the source of the sounds.

Under the artificial lighting in the room, the director exuded a magnificent and proud aura as he rose from his seat. Smiling slightly, he swept his gaze across the room as he continued tapping a spoon against his glass, obviously with the intention of attracting the attention of the others in the room.

"Buonasera a tutti voi!" He started off his speech by greeting everyone present in Italian. Then, smiling again, he continued spewing Italian words, most of which Zachary could not understand, before switching to English after a few more minutes.

"For the benefit of some of our brothers here that don't speak Italian, I'll switch to English for the next part of my speech," he said with a chuckle. "As I just said, we have been impressive as a team over the past few weeks. Our competitive edge has grown to never-before-seen levels, and our team spirit has soared, allowing us to win all our fifteen opening games in the Champions League and the Italian Serie A combined. I can't even begin to express how happy we're as the club management with such results. In light of that, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to you all - the players, the coaches, and the technical staff for the job well done. Cheers to you all!" He raised his glass to toast to everyone around.

"Cheers!" All the players, coaches, and technical staff returned the toast with bright smiles before gulping down their drinks.

Fabio Paratici smiled and continued, "I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize the best performers for Juventus during the just concluded month of October. Match in, match out, they are the people who have contributed the most to our success during the first quarter of the season. They are the heroes of the club who have worked tirelessly to help us accomplish a 15-match perfect run this season. When I read your name, please step forward and receive your award from the chairman."

"First and foremost on the list," Fabio smiled, "Let's begin by recognizing the efforts of our head coach - Massimiliano Allegri. His tactics have been spot-on, allowing us to win all our games since the start of the season. Ladies and gentlemen! Let's put our hands together for our head coach as he steps forward to receive his award."

"Pa, pa, pa..."

The thunderous clapping and applause resounded across the room as Coach Allegri stepped forward and picked up his accolade. With a bright smile, the coach shook hands with the chairman and director before quietly returning to his seat.

"Next," Fabio continued, "I would also like to take the opportunity to recognize the MVP for Juventus for the first quarter of the season, who has been exceptional on the field of play. Firstly, he scored ten goals and provided twelve assists in just ten Serie A appearances. Secondly, he has already netted seven goals in three UEFA Champions League appearances with hattricks against Malmo and Atlético Madrid. But that is not all. Just coming in today, he has also made the shortlist for this year's Golden Boy award. Ladies and gentlemen! Please put your hands together for Zachary Bemba, Juventus' MVP for the month of October."

"Pa, pa, pa..."

The applause was even more thunderous as Zachary stepped forward to receive his accolade. He proudly marched across the room in his blue jeans and leather jacket and stood before Andrea Agnelli, the club chairman.

"Congratulations," the chairman said, taking Zachary's hand for a firm handshake. "Keep up the good work." And with a stretch of the hand, the president handed Zachary his award.

"Thank you," Zachary said with a smile. He then received his award from the outstretched hand of the chairman before whirling around and returning to his seat.

At that moment, he felt very accomplished. His spirits were flying high after the club recognized his efforts. As a result, his smile became even more radiant as he settled back in his seat.

"Man, congratulations," Patrice Evra whispered from beside him.

"Thanks," Zachary replied after placing his accolade on the table.

"But why didn't you inform me that you were on the nominee list for this year's Golden Boy award?" Evra inquired.

"Why should I inform you?" Zachary asked with a smile. "It's not as if you're my girlfriend."

Evra grinned. "So, that's how you retaliate. But congs anyway. I'm really happy for you. Keep working hard, and you'll soon ascend to the top."

"Sure, thanks again," Zachary whispered before returning his focus to Fabio, the sporting director, who was still continuing with his speech.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Fabio said. "Although we've already achieved a 15-match perfect run, we shouldn't grow complacent. Instead, we must continue working hard on and off the field to ensure we don't lose any games throughout the season."

"This communication is just in from the chairman and the entire board," Fabio continued after sweeping his gaze across the room. "If we're to finish this season without losing any game in the Serie A, each player will receive a bonus of one million Euros while the technical staff will each receive 100,000 Euros."

Whispers emerged around the room when the sporting director announced the bonus money. But the director ignored them and continued, "So, ladies and gentlemen! Continue working hard to ensure that we win all games this season. Then, the money will be yours. And please never forget that, as Juventus, the sky is our only limit. May god bless you, and continue enjoying yourselves." The president then sat down as the applause resounded across the room again.

"So," Evra said to Zachary after the applause subsided, "Do you think we can achieve an unbeaten run this season?"

"I think it's possible," Zachary replied after chugging down his non-alcoholic cocktail. "On paper, we're the best team in the Serie A. And in theory, we should be capable of defeating all opposition within Italy. So, we only need some luck to achieve an unbeaten run."

"You seem confident," Evra said after taking a sip of his own drink. "But don't forget that there are circumstances beyond our control sometimes. Losing a few games is normal even though we're the best team."

"That's why I said we need some luck," Zachary intoned. "But if we're to achieve an unbeaten run, all that bonus money will take a great dent in Juventus' financials. I hope the executives know what they are doing."

Evra smiled. "If we were to achieve an unbeaten run, then there would be no need to worry about the financials. The club would gain back the money through improved television rights deals, sponsorships, and endorsements, plus increased ticket and shirt sales. They wouldn't be making any losses if we went 38 matches unbeaten."

"Is that so? Then, I guess there's no need to worry. The executives must know what they're doing." Zachary said before returning his focus to his food.

Evra, on his part, stayed silent, seeming to be thinking about something for a few seconds. Then, he said abruptly, "Most of us are heading off for international duty tomorrow, and as you know, I'm representing France. What about you? Are you going to play for DRC?"

"No." Zachary shook his head. "I'll be staying in Turin to train. I have no international duties yet."

"Are you not eager to play internationals?" Evra asked. "I'm sure that many countries, including France, would welcome you into their squads. So, why aren't you choosing a country to represent?"

"I have already chosen a country to represent," Zachary replied with a smile. "But I just don't wish to disclose it for the moment."

"Oh, okay," Evra said, nodding. "Then, I wish you luck wherever you'll be. I really hope to see you in the 2018 World Cup. It's just a pity that I'll most likely have retired from international duty and won't be able to compete against you."

Zachary chuckled but said nothing in response. He'd already chosen to represent Ivory Coast during International competitions. They were a team with a lot of promise and would even win the AFCON the following year. So, as long as he added himself to the equation, their 2018 World Cup prospects would surely increase, and just maybe, they might change their fate and qualify for the competition. They might even do wonders at the tournament and reach the late stages of the World Cup. Those were his innermost hopes.

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