The Greatest of all Time

Chapter 622  Ivorian Teammates

Zachary's eyes lit up as he scanned through the thrilling details of the 2018 FIFA World Cup challenge. Excitement surged through his veins as he didn't hesitate to tap the 'accept' button. He was all set to embark on an exhilarating mission to conquer the system assignment.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup challenge was an adrenaline-pumping, heart-racing mission he had eagerly anticipated for months. He knew that winning the World Cup would be an arduous task, especially as the most formidable footballing nations in the world were fiercely vying for the prestigious trophy.

But the sheer excitement of the challenge was enough to fuel his passion and drive him to push himself beyond his limits. After all, the promised system rewards were beyond incredible, and with each system milestone he achieved, he would unlock bonuses that would gradually elevate his skills to superhuman levels. He yearned to put forth his best effort and overcome all the challenges ahead. He was determined to accomplish all the system mission milestones and obtain the three SSS-grade elixirs. Zachary just finished going through the system's mission and closed the interface. He was feeling completely drained and exhausted, so he decided to call it a day and crawled into his bed. As he lay down on his comfortable bed, he gradually drifted off to sleep. He slept soundly through the night, without any disturbances. He woke up when his phone alarm went off at six, reminding him of the new day ahead. He immediately jumped out of bed and went through his morning yoga routine, stretching his limbs and waking up his muscles. He then headed to the shower, where he spent a few minutes cleaning up and feeling refreshed. After getting dressed, he walked down the luxurious halls of his mansion to the dining hall, where he enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast. He sat at the large mahogany table, savoring the flavorful food and enjoying the serene atmosphere. As he ate, he chatted with his fitness trainer, Bjørn Peters, who had also woken up early to send him off. After breakfast, he said his goodbyes to Bjørn and headed out of the mansion, suitcase in hand. He headed to the driveway, where his sleek Audi Q7 was parked, waiting for him. He hopped in the back seat, and Lorenzo, his driver, started the engine. They were headed to the airport, where he would catch a morning flight from Turin to Edinburgh to meet his Ivorian teammates. As they drove and navigated the early morning traffic, he couldn't help but feel excited for the World Cup adventure that awaited him. He was eager to meet his teammates and start training. They would fight together for the next few weeks as they vied for the coveted World Cup Trophy.

Finally, Zachary made it to the airport after a grueling hour-long journey. Accompanied by his trusted bodyguard and driver, Lorenzo, they breezed through the airport procedures and before they knew it, they were already boarding their flight to Edinburgh.

As they took off, the feeling of excitement and anticipation was palpable. The plane soared high in the sky, and Zachary couldn't help but look out of the small window to take in the breathtaking view. The sun was rising, and the golden hues of the sky added to the captivating moment. The flight to Edinburgh took five hours, but it was a comfortable journey. The cabin crew ensured the passengers were relaxed, and the in-flight entertainment system kept everyone occupied. Zachary spent some time reading a book, while Lorenzo took a nap. As the plane began its descent, Zachary's heart quickened with excitement. He peered out the window, watching as the sprawling city of Edinburgh came into view. Winding roads, bustling streets, and a sea of people below - it was a sight to behold. Zachary couldn't help but marvel at the vibrant colors of the buildings against the lush green landscape. The reason for his visit wasn't leisurely, though. He was there to meet up with his Ivorian teammates and gear up for the friendly match against Scotland the next day. The anticipation was palpable, and Zachary couldn't wait to get started.

The moment the plane's wheels touched the tarmac, Zachary and his trusted bodyguard, Lorenzo, were ready to roll. They sailed through security checks with the finesse of seasoned travelers. Once they got their hands on their luggage, they were greeted by Seko Bakari, the official representative of the Ivorian Football Federation. Seko was the man with the plan, and he led them straight to the Delta Hotel where the Ivorian National Football team was camped out.

After getting settled into his room and freshening up, Zachary couldn't wait to finally meet his Ivorian teammates and coaches. They all convened in one of the conference rooms at 3:00 PM, brimming with excitement and anticipation for the challenges ahead.

As Zachary walked into the room, a familiar voice exclaimed, "There he is, the man himself!" He turned to see none other than Eric Bailly, his former teammate, grinning from ear to ear.

"Hey there, Eric!" Zachary exclaimed as he approached the center back and gave him a warm hug. "It's so great to see you. How have you been? What's been going on with you over at Tottenham these days?"

Eric grinned, "Same old, same old. Just grinding away to keep my spot on the squad. Oh, and by the way, congratulations on winning your second consecutive Champions League trophy."

Zachary couldn't help but chuckle as he thanked his former teammate. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he made his way around the room, greeting his other Ivorian teammates. The room was filled with some of the biggest names in Ivorian football, including the likes of Serge Aurier, Wilfried Zaha, Serey Dié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Franck Kessié, Max Gradel, Maxwel Cornet, Nicolas Pépé, Jonathan Kodjia, Salomon Kalou, and Gervinho. It was truly a star-studded gathering that left Zachary feeling expectant and excited to be amongst such great company a week before the World Cup.

However, despite the impressive gathering, Zachary couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret. One of the best players to ever play for Ivory Coast, Yaya Touré, was missing from the room. Zachary knew that Yaya had resigned from the Ivorian National team three years prior, but he still couldn't help but think how great it would have been to have him there.

As Zachary and his teammates were engrossed in a lively chat, the door suddenly burst open, and in strode a stern-looking middle-aged man with an entourage of five. It was none other than Hervé Renard, the head coach of the Ivorian National Team, accompanied by his assistants.

Hervé Renard was a legend in the African football scene, having coached the Ivory Coast National team to victory in the African Cup of Nations in January 2015. He had been at the helm of the team since July 2014 and had continued to deliver impressive results. With Zachary joining the team, Hervé Renard's success story only got better, culminating in Ivory Coast's qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It was an exciting time for the team and a momentous achievement for everyone involved.