The Greatest of all Time

657  Zachary's Top Supporters

As Emily Anderson stepped out of the Luzhniki Stadium, her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The bright floodlights pierced through the dark Moscow sky, but the excitement of the game was fading fast. England's loss bore heavily on her heart, leaving her national pride bruised by the defeat.

However, as Zachary's agent, there was a sense of relief and pride that she couldn't ignore. His performance was just too outstanding. Aside from propelling Ivory Coast into the World Cup final, his feats had also significantly boosted his market value and future prospects.

Beside her walked a lively entourage: Kristin, Zachary's dedicated assistant; Bjørn Peters, his ever-enthusiastic fitness trainer; Inger, his meticulous chef; Céleste Kouame, his proud biological mother; and Natasha Kone, his vibrant step-sister. The group couldn't mask their excitement, their minds still riding the high of Zachary's exceptional game. Natasha and Bjørn couldn't stop animatedly discussing the two stunning free-kicks he converted, their voices overlapping enthusiastically, while Kristin chimed in with playful comments.

As they boarded the bus back to their hotel in Sochi, the conversation flowed effortlessly, a mix of admiration for Zachary's skill and playful banter. The journey was filled with laughter and excitement, the reality of the moment enveloping them. They knew they were part of something historic.

After a quick dinner at the hotel, they dispersed to their rooms, each carrying the night's events deep in their hearts. Emily and Kristin shared a room, and as they entered, Kristin immediately switched on the television. The screen flickered to life with ITV's post-match analysis, hosted by Mark Pougatch and featuring a star-studded panel of pundits: Gary Neville, Lee Dixon, Roy Keane, Ian Wright, Ryan Giggs, and Slaven Bilic.

Emily and Kristin settled onto their beds, their attention riveted to the screen. The discussion was candid and engaging, the pundits diving straight into the heart of England's defeat.

"Harry Maguire's early error set the tone," Gary Neville lamented, his regret evident since he was an Englishman. "It was a gift to Zaha, and from there, it was an uphill battle."

Roy Keane, never one to mince words, nodded in agreement. "You just can't afford to make those mistakes at this level. It's a no-brainer! When you're up against players like Zaha and Zachary, who are so clinical and can pounce on any error, you must not lose focus, not even for a second. But credit to Ivory Coast and Zachary in particular. What an outstanding performance!"

Ian Wright leaned in, clearly thrilled. "Those free-kicks! Especially the second one—from over 35 meters out, and he just smashed it in. The last time I saw something like that was in Roberto Carlos' time. This could be the standout goal, the best goal of this World Cup campaign."

Ryan Giggs joined in with his characteristic calm demeanor. "Zachary's technique is something special. He's got the power but also the precision. That combination is lethal for any goalkeeper and defenses standing at the opposite end of his free-kicks."

The others nodded as Slaven Bilic jumped in, his voice filled with admiration. "And let's not forget his overall impact. He's not just scoring; he's creating chances and leading the team. He's been a phenomenon in every game he's played during this World Cup."

The discussion shifted to Ivory Coast's prospects in the final against France. Lee Dixon expressed cautious optimism. "France is a tough opponent, but if Zachary plays like he did today, they have a real shot. They only need a bit of luck to create history by becoming the first African nation to lift the World Cup."

Mark Pougatch steered the conversation towards individual accolades. "Zachary is now leading the Golden Boot race with eight goals. He's ahead of Harry Kane and Luka Modrić, who have six each, and Kylian Mbappé with five."

Roy Keane, always the realist, nodded thoughtfully. "If Ivory Coast wins the final and Zachary continues this form, he could as well take home the Golden Boot, the Golden Ball, and maybe even the Ballon d'Or."

Slaven Bilic chimed in with a smile. "I believe his main rival for the Golden Ball is Kylian Mbappé. However, he should be the definite frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or. I don't see anyone else coming even close, especially since Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, Lionel Messi's Argentina, and Modrić's Croatia have already been knocked out."

Roy Keane agreed, "I was certain he would have clinched the Ballon d'Or last season after his victories in the Champions League and the Serie A. I can't understand why they didn't award it to him. But this time, he should definitely bag it."

Emily felt a rush of pride hearing these accolades. Zachary's journey had been incredible—and now, he stood on the cusp of greatness. Kristin glanced over at her, a knowing smile on her face. "Looks like your client is the talk of the town."

Emily chuckled, her heart swelling with pride and excitement. "He's also your boss. And let's agree that he deserves all the glory. He's worked so hard for this moment."

The show continued with more analysis, but the energy in the room had shifted. As the pundits dissected every play and every decision, Emily couldn't help but feel a profound sense of anticipation for what lay ahead. The final against France loomed large, but anything seemed possible, especially with Zachary leading the charge.

The post-match show eventually wrapped up, and Emily turned to the travel suitcase resting against the wall. She pushed the day's excitement to the back of her mind as the practicalities of her job demanded attention. She unzipped the suitcase and pulled out five neatly organized files—each representing a leading Premier League team eager to sign Zachary. With the World Cup nearing its end, she knew it was time to start analyzing these offers to secure the best possible future for her star client.

The first file she opened was from Manchester City. They were keen to bring in a new midfielder following the departure of Yaya Toure. Emily read their initial offer, noting the impressive signing bonus and substantial weekly wages. However, she doubted Zachary would choose Manchester City. The team was already stacked with talent, and joining them wouldn't pose much of a challenge for a player of his caliber.

She moved on to the other files: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham. All the clubs had shown clear interest, offering enticing financial packages and the 'promise' of being a central figure in their squads. As a free agent, Zachary had the luxury of choosing his next destination without any transfer fees, making him even more attractive to these top clubs.

Kristin, who had remained quiet while observing from the side, broke the silence. "So, which club do you think Zachary will join after the World Cup?"

Emily smiled, taking a moment to consider. "It's hard to say for sure, but I think he'll probably join either Arsenal or Liverpool. Both clubs have shown a lot of interest. They also offer the challenge and prestige he seeks to advance his career."

Kristin nodded thoughtfully. "Arsenal or Liverpool... Both would be exciting. But it means we'll all have to shift from Turin to England when Zachary changes clubs."

Emily chuckled softly. "That's the life of anyone working in football. Except for a few cases, we always move from one country to another. It's part of the journey."

They fell into a comfortable silence, each lost in their thoughts. Emily continued reviewing the files while Kristin pondered the inevitable changes ahead. The transition from Italy to England would be significant, but it was a testament to Zachary's rising star and the opportunities that awaited him.

"Do you think he'll adjust well to the Premier League?" Kristin asked, breaking the silence again.

Emily looked up, her eyes sparkling with confidence. "Zachary has the talent and the determination to succeed anywhere. The Premier League will be a new challenge, but I have no doubt he'll thrive. Just look at what he has achieved during this World Cup campaign. Does he look like a player who will fail to adapt to another league?"

Kristin smiled, reassured by Emily's confidence. "I'm sure you're right. It's just that everything is happening so fast."

Emily nodded. "It is, but that's the nature of the sport. One moment, you're celebrating a victory... And the next, you're planning for the future. It's all part of the adventure."

They chatted a bit more, discussing the logistics of moving, the excitement of the potential new clubs, and the incredible journey they had all been on with Zachary. Their bond had grown strong, forged through the highs and lows of professional football.

Eventually, the conversation wound down. Kristin switched off the television, and they headed to the bathroom to shower and get ready for bed. Minutes later, as Emily finally lay in bed, her mind still whirring with thoughts of transfer negotiations and future prospects, she couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. Zachary's journey was far from over, and she was honored to be part of it.

Kristin's soft voice broke the quiet. "Do you think he'll win the Ballon d'Or?"

Emily smiled in the darkness. "If he keeps playing like this, I believe he will. The sky's the limit for Zachary."

With that, they both drifted off to sleep, dreaming of what the future held for their extraordinary client and the adventures that awaited them all in the dynamic football world.