December 19, 2022 - Doha Airport
The French squad departed Qatar in silence. No celebrations. No songs. Just quiet devastation.
Ethan stared out the plane window, replaying the final in his mind. The comeback. The extra time. The penalties.
One penalty away. One kick from glory.
Mbappé sat beside him, equally silent.
"You played the match of your life," Ethan finally said.
"Hat-trick in the World Cup final and we lost," Mbappé replied bitterly. "What's the point?"
"The point is we'll be back. 2026. We'll be twenty-seven. Prime of our careers. And we'll win."
Mbappé looked at him. "Promise?"
"Promise."
They bumped fists. The Princes. Still brothers. Still hungry.
December 25, 2022 - Christmas
Ethan spent Christmas with his family in Bondy. His parents, Marie, her new boyfriend, some cousins.
Normal. Grounded. Real.
"You okay?" his mother asked privately.
"I will be. Just need time."
"You're twenty-three years old. You've won two Champions Leagues. A World Cup. Two La Liga titles. The Ballon d'Or. And you're devastated about one loss?" She squeezed his hand. "That's because you have a champion's heart. But remember—you can't win everything."
"Why not?" Ethan asked seriously.
Aminata laughed. "There's my son. Always impossible goals."
"Someone has to achieve the impossible, Maman. Why not me?"
January 2, 2023 - Barcelona Return
Barcelona resumed training after the winter break. Ethan returned early—couldn't stay away from football.
Koeman pulled him aside. "How are you?"
"Disappointed. Motivated. Ready to win the Champions League."
"That's what I wanted to hear." Koeman pulled up tactical videos. "We're bringing in reinforcements this January. A new center-back. A defensive midfielder. We're going all-in for the Champions League."
"Who?"
"Can't say yet. But trust me—we're building something special. This is our year."
Ethan nodded. The World Cup pain still lingered. But football was the best medicine. And Barcelona—the Champions League—was his focus now.
January 8, 2023 - Interview with France Football
Ethan gave his first major interview since the World Cup final.
FF: "How do you reflect on the World Cup?"
EL: "Painful. We were so close to making history. But Argentina deserved it. Messi deserved his moment. Now we focus on 2026."
FF: "You scored six goals, won the Silver Ball. Doesn't that soften the blow?"
EL: "No. Individual awards mean nothing without team success. I'd trade every personal accolade for that World Cup trophy."
FF: "What's next for Ethan Loki?"
EL: "The Champions League. I've won it twice with Monaco. I need to win it with Barcelona. That's the goal this season."
FF: "Can you win the Ballon d'Or again?"
EL: "If I win the Champions League and maintain my scoring, yes. But that's not my focus. Team trophies first. Individual awards are consequences of team success."
FF: "You're twenty-three. You've achieved more than most players achieve in entire careers. What drives you?"
EL: "Fear of regret. When I retire, I want to look back knowing I gave everything. Achieved everything possible. Left nothing on the table. That's what drives me."
Season Resume - 2022-23
Barcelona returned to La Liga action in January. The title race was tight—Barcelona and Real Madrid separated by just two points.
But Ethan was on a mission. The World Cup pain fueled him.
January: 6 goals in 4 matches February: 7 goals in 5 matches
By March, Barcelona led La Liga by five points. And the Champions League knockout rounds were approaching.
This was Ethan's chance. His moment to prove he could win Europe's biggest prize with Barcelona.
The stage was set.
Personal Reflection
Late one night, unable to sleep, Ethan wrote in his journal—a habit his father had encouraged since childhood.
December 18, 2022 will haunt me forever. The World Cup final. We were so close. One penalty away from back-to-back titles. From cementing our legacy as one of the greatest teams ever.
But football is cruel sometimes. The best team doesn't always win. The best player doesn't always prevail. Sometimes, destiny chooses someone else.
Argentina's victory was Messi's moment. His fairy tale ending. Part of me is happy for him—he's a legend who deserved that trophy. But part of me will always wonder: what if?
What if Tchouaméni scores? What if Konaté scores? What if we hold on in extra time?
But I can't live in what-ifs. I have to move forward. Learn. Grow. Come back stronger.
2026 World Cup in USA, Canada, Mexico. I'll be twenty-seven. Prime of my career. And I'll be ready.
For now, focus on Barcelona. Focus on the Champions League. Focus on proving I can win Europe's biggest prize with this club.
Three moves ahead. Always three moves ahead.
The Ballon d'Or. Another one. Maybe two more by 2026.
The Champions League. Multiple times with Barcelona.
The World Cup 2026. Redemption.
These are my goals. These are my obsessions.
I won't rest until I achieve them all.
- Ethan Loki, January 2023
He closed the journal. Turned off the light. Tomorrow, training. Work. Preparation.
The World Cup loss hurt. But champions don't stay down. They get up. They fight back. They prove everyone wrong.
And Ethan Loki was just getting started.
End of Chapter 40