June 2022 - Summer Break
After the La Liga triumph, Ethan had three weeks off before France's World Cup preparation began.
He spent it with Sofia in Ibiza. No football. No training. Just relaxation.
They rented a private villa. Walked on beaches. Ate at local restaurants. Enjoyed anonymity (as much as the Ballon d'Or winner could).
"This is nice," Sofia said one evening, watching the sunset over the Mediterranean. "Just us. No cameras. No pressure."
"I needed this," Ethan admitted. "Feels like I haven't stopped since I was seven years old."
"You're twenty-three. You've already won everything. Two Champions Leagues. A World Cup. Two La Liga titles. The Ballon d'Or." She looked at him. "What's left?"
"Everything," Ethan said immediately. "I want to win five Ballons d'Or. Want to win the Champions League with Barcelona. Want to break every scoring record. Want to be remembered as one of the greatest ever."
Sofia smiled. "That's what I love about you. Never satisfied. Always hungry."
"Is that healthy?"
"Probably not. But it's who you are." She squeezed his hand. "Just promise me something—when you retire, whenever that is, you'll actually stop and enjoy life."
"I promise," Ethan said. Though even as he said it, he couldn't imagine not playing football.
June 21, 2022 - France Training Camp
Clairefontaine. Again. But this time, for World Cup preparation.
France were defending champions. Expectations were massive.
Didier Deschamps had assembled a formidable squad:
Forwards: Mbappé, Loki, Benzema, Griezmann, Dembélé Midfielders: Pogba, Kanté, Tchouaméni Defenders: Varane, Konaté, Pavard, Lucas Hernández Goalkeeper: Lloris
On paper, the best squad in the world.
"Defending champions," Deschamps addressed the team on day one. "That comes with pressure. Everyone wants to beat us. Everyone will study us. We must be better than 2018. Sharper. Hungrier."
His eyes found Ethan and Mbappé. "You two. In 2018, you were nineteen. Promising talents. Now you're twenty-three and twenty-three. The best players in the world. This team will go as far as you take us."
September 2022 - Nations League
France played several Nations League matches in the lead-up to the World Cup. Tuning tactics. Building chemistry.
France 2-0 Austria: Mbappé scored twice. France 2-0 Denmark: Ethan scored both. France 3-1 Croatia: Ethan 1 goal, Mbappé 2 goals.
The combination play between Ethan and Mbappé was devastating. Eight years after forming "The Princes of Monaco," they'd evolved into one of the most dangerous partnerships in football.
Deschamps settled on a 4-3-3 formation:
Mbappé (left), Griezmann (center), Ethan (right) Pogba, Tchouaméni, Kanté (midfield) Lucas Hernández, Varane, Konaté, Pavard (defense) Lloris (goalkeeper)
Fluid. Fast. Lethal on the counter. Perfect for knockout football.
November 15, 2022 - Departure for Qatar
The French squad departed Paris on a chartered plane. Flags. Fans. Ceremony.
On the plane, Ethan sat next to Mbappé, as always.
"Ready?" Mbappé asked.
"Always. You?"
"This one feels different. In 2018, we were kids. Nobody expected much from us. Now, we're favorites. The pressure is real."
"We handle pressure," Ethan said. "That's what makes us great."
They bumped fists. The Princes. Now men. Now legends. One more World Cup to conquer.
End of Chapter 36