Emperor of Football: Julien De Rocca

Julien sensed Mbappé's mood change and roughly understood what was happening. "What's wrong? Are you feeling like you're not strong enough to make it to Real Madrid?"

Mbappé didn't explain, just nodded.

Julien wasn't very familiar with Mbappé's experiences at Clairefontaine during this period. Since the other boy didn't want to discuss it, he didn't pry.

Instead, he said with certainty: "I don't know your current situation, but I can see the talent you possess. Stay focused, train hard, and before long—maybe as soon as next year—you'll feel that everything is different."

Mbappé smiled. "Yeah!"

Then he asked Julien, "What about you? Don't you want to join Real Madrid? It's the best club. The best players all play for the best clubs."

Julien shook his head. "I don't have any particular team I want to join. I just want to improve my abilities. My goal is simple: wherever I am, that becomes the best team."

Mbappé was stunned.

He had never thought this way. His thoughts were always about becoming the best player and then going to big clubs, to Real Madrid.

In his heart, his biggest goal was winning the Ballon d'Or—it was the proof that he had become the best player.

But in Julien, Mbappé saw a different kind of confidence.

A confidence that needed no awards or platforms for validation, but proved itself through pure ability!

He didn't know how to respond to Julien. All he could do was nod and say, "You will."

He truly believed in Julien.

In Mbappé's mind, Julien was different from everyone else.

When Julien returned to his room after visiting Mbappé, Varane continued chatting with him about Real Madrid.

He kept hinting, "Come to Real Madrid. We can play together as teammates."

Julien neither refused nor promised.

Whether it was Real Madrid, Arsenal, or Chelsea, none were places where he could fully develop at the moment.

But in the future—

Julien fell into deep sleep. 'We'll see about the future; who knows what it holds?'

National team training was genuinely low-intensity.

Most of the time was spent working on head coach Érick Mombaerts' tactics, with real training taking place at their clubs.

Club requirements were usually strict. Many players treated national team camps as holidays.

Only Julien was different. He trained consistently every day, working tirelessly for every attribute point improvement.

Mombaerts observed all of this.

During this camp, Julien's performance both on and off the pitch satisfied him completely.

He privately considered that with Julien, perhaps he wouldn't return empty-handed from the next U21 European Championship.

But the biggest question was: would Julien stay with U21 for two full years?

A player's talent was obvious from their first touch, and Julien was clearly among the elite.

Perhaps Blanc would consider calling Julien up to the senior French national team?

Mombaerts shook his head, dismissing these thoughts. As long as Julien wasn't called up to the senior team, he would definitely bring him to U21.

"I could recommend him to Blanc at next week's gathering."

Next Thursday, Mombaerts would be meeting with René Girard—the former France U21 coach who now managed league leaders Montpellier and France national team coach Blanc, among others.

It was gathering of French coaches.

Mombaerts decided he would mention Julien to Blanc. If Blanc had no intention of calling him up, then he could confidently build a system around Julien.

U21's attacking problems would be solved.

March 10th.

Clairefontaine U21 training base.

The called-up players returned to their respective homes.

Varane, Griezmann, and others said goodbye to Julien.

After spending over a week together, especially seeing Julien's abilities in training, their relationships had grown closer.

When Julien returned to Bastia, Châtaigner personally came to pick him up as driver.

"I can't trust anyone else with this—I had to come myself."

After getting Julien in the car, Châtaigner asked, "How did it go? Was the U21 match smooth? It's a pity U21 doesn't have official matches, just these closed friendlies. There's no way to follow them, which isn't good for raising your profile."

Julien shook his head. "The match was just okay. Closed friendlies don't have much competitive edge. This trip was mainly about meeting other players."

"That's a good thing."

Châtaigner fell silent for a moment before asking again, "Are you going to Arsenal?"

"Huh? Why do you ask?"

Châtaigner retrieved a newspaper from the door compartment and handed it to Julien. "The newspaper wrote about it."

The headline read: "Wenger Eyes French Youngster, Possible Summer Move to Arsenal."

Julien glanced at it and handed the paper back. "English media is like that. Don't worry about it. Wenger just came to watch the U21 match."

"Ah, that's true." Châtaigner put the paper away and continued, "It's fine. If there really comes a day when you decide to transfer, just let me know. I won't stop you."

"Thank you, Châtaigner."

When Julien returned to the team, he received a warm welcome from his teammates.

Vincent quietly told him: "In the last match against Boulogne, we only managed to score in the 80th minute at home—it was a narrow victory. Everyone's gotten used to having you in matches."

After glancing at Hadzibegic and Châtaigner in the distance, Vincent continued, "I even heard Hadzibegic muttering to himself, 'If only Julien were here.' I was sitting on the bench right behind him, I swear it's true."

"It's not that exaggerated. Just train well and play well," Julien replied.

As Vincent was about to say more, Châtaigner addressed the players: "We're about to fight on two fronts with a dense fixture schedule. I know this will be difficult. So, the club has decided to increase the win bonuses! Double them! And for every French Cup victory, the entire team gets an additional 200,000 euros in bonuses! If we win the final, that's doubled too!"

"Long live Châtaigner!"

The players were genuinely shocked by this sudden incentive and cheered enthusiastically.

Bastia wasn't a wealthy club by any means.

Player wages were modest.

For example, Julien's current monthly salary was only 20,000 euros, with the highest earner making 100,000 euros monthly.

The club operated on a shoestring budget. For Châtaigner to do this was truly putting everything on the line!

Julien wasn't sure why the club would suddenly offer such rewards for the French Cup.

Not until after the meeting, when Hadzibegic spoke to him privately.

"The club wants to challenge for the French Cup title and return to European competition," he said.

Julien understood immediately.

Europa League.

The French Cup winners would qualify for the Europa League next season!

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