September 2015
Ethan's final year at Monaco's academy was unlike any other.
At sixteen, he was training with the first team twice a week while dominating at U-19 level. He'd grown—now 5'10" and still filling out. His body was catching up to his mind. The gap between vision and execution was closing.
The statistics were absurd: twenty-three goals in twelve U-19 matches. Seven goals in four France U-17 matches. Two goals in two UEFA Youth League matches.
But numbers didn't tell the whole story.
What set Ethan apart now was completeness. He wasn't just a goal scorer anymore. He was a complete forward—pressing, creating, finishing, leading. At sixteen, he played like a seasoned professional.
November 2015 - Youth League vs Juventus
The UEFA Youth League was essentially the Champions League for youth teams. Monaco had qualified by winning the French youth championship the previous season.
In the group stage, they faced Juventus—one of Europe's most prestigious academies.
The match was played at Monaco's training facility, but scouts filled every available seat. This was a showcase. This was where reputations were built.
Juventus started strong, controlling possession, pressing high. Their Italian tactical discipline was evident—organized, structured, difficult to break down.
But Ethan had been training against Carvalho and Monaco's professional defenders. He knew how to exploit organized defenses.
In the eighteenth minute, he dropped deep to receive. Juventus' center-back followed him, leaving space in behind. Ethan played a one-touch pass to the winger, continued his run, received the return pass, and finished with clinical precision.
1-0.
In the forty-fourth minute, he scored again—this time from a counter-attack, beating three defenders with a combination of speed and technique before slotting past the goalkeeper.
2-0 at halftime.
Juventus pulled one back in the sixtieth minute, but Ethan completed his hat-trick in the seventy-third—a header from a corner, his first headed goal of the season.
Final score: 3-1. Ethan: hat-trick. Man of the Match.
After the game, Juventus' youth coach approached him. "You're special, Ethan. Really special. If you ever want to come to Italy..."
Ethan smiled politely. "I'm happy at Monaco. But thank you."
January 2016 - France U-17 World Cup Qualifiers
The U-17 World Cup would be held in India later that year. France needed to qualify through the European championships.
Ethan, now sixteen and playing up two age groups, was France's captain and talisman.
In the qualifying tournament, France faced Denmark, Norway, and England.
vs Denmark: France 4-0. Ethan: two goals, one assist. vs Norway: France 5-1. Ethan: hat-trick. vs England: France 2-2. Ethan: both goals, including a ninety-second-minute equalizer.
France qualified comfortably. Ethan finished as top scorer with eight goals in three matches.
More importantly, he'd shown leadership. As captain, he organized the defense, encouraged teammates, made tactical adjustments during matches. At sixteen, he was playing like a veteran.
March 2016 - The Offer
Leonardo Jardim called Ethan into his office again.
"Sit, Ethan. We need to talk about your future."
Ethan's heart raced. This was it.
"You turn seventeen next week," Jardim continued. "Which means you're eligible for professional football. I've been watching you for two years now. Training with the first team. Dominating at youth level. Playing for France. And I've made a decision."
He pulled out a document. "This is a professional contract. Three years, with option for two more. You'll start next season as part of the first-team squad. Not as a backup. As a rotation player with a clear path to regular starting."
Ethan stared at the contract, hardly believing it was real.
"There's something else," Jardim said. "Kylian is signing his professional contract this week too. You'll debut together. Train together. Compete together." He smiled. "The Princes of Monaco. It's not just a nickname anymore. It's reality."
"When do I sign?" Ethan asked.
"Read it carefully. Discuss with your parents. But I hope soon." Jardim leaned forward. "Ethan, I'm building something special here. Young, dynamic, fearless football. And you're a cornerstone of that project. Sign this contract, and I promise you—within two years, all of Europe will know your name."
March 15, 2016 - Contract Signing
The press conference was held at Monaco's stadium—Stade Louis II.
Ethan sat at a table, flanked by Jardim and Monaco's vice president. Dozens of journalists filled the room. Cameras flashed constantly.
He signed the contract in blue ink, officially becoming a professional footballer at seventeen years old.
"Ethan, how does it feel?" a journalist asked.
"Like a dream come true. I've been at Monaco since I was eleven. This club believed in me when I was just a kid. Now I get to repay that faith."
"You and Kylian Mbappé both signed this week. Are you excited to play together?"
Ethan smiled. "Kylian is my brother. We've trained together for six years. We've pushed each other, learned from each other. Now we get to do it at the professional level. I think we can do something special."
"Comparisons are being made to Henry and Trézéguet. Do you feel that pressure?"
"Every generation gets compared to the past. We respect those legends. But we're not trying to replicate them. We're trying to write our own story."
Perfect answer. Confident but humble.
May 2016 - Final Academy Match
Before graduating to the professional squad, Ethan played one final match for Monaco's U-19 team—the French youth championship final against PSG.
It was emotional. His last game at academy level. His last game with teammates he'd grown up with.
The match was intense, physical, high-quality. PSG had their own crop of talented players, all fighting to follow in Ethan's footsteps to professional football.
But Ethan was on another level now.
He scored four goals. Created two more. Led Monaco to a 6-2 victory and the French youth championship.
As he lifted the trophy, surrounded by teammates and coaches, Ethan allowed himself a moment to reflect.
Seven years ago, he'd been a seven-year-old kid in Bondy with an impossible gift.
Now he was seventeen, a professional footballer, European champion, soon to debut for one of France's biggest clubs.
The journey had been long. The work had been hard. But every sacrifice, every training session, every goal had led to this moment.
Next season, the real story would begin.
Next season, the Princes of Monaco would take the stage.
End of Chapter 16