THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
chapter-665

665 World Champions

As the final whistle sounded, the French players collapsed on the grass, their frustration and exhaustion evident in their expressions. In stark contrast, the Ivory Coast players, fans, and bench erupted in cheers, their joyous shouts filling the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Zachary couldn't believe it. They had done it—they had won the World Cup. Tears of joy streamed down his face as the reality of their victory sank in. His teammates rushed from the pitch to celebrate with him, their faces alight with the joy of being world champions.

However, Coach Hervé Renard quickly stepped in, warning them to be careful and not to worsen Zachary's injury. Despite his stern tone, it was clear that the coach himself was just as emotional and overjoyed as the rest.

Renard gave Zachary a gentle pat on the shoulder. "Well done," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You scored a hat-trick and helped us win the World Cup."

Zachary's teammates also exchanged high-fives with him, their joy evident in their mannerisms. The celebrations then began in earnest as the players embraced, laughed, and sang, their collective happiness creating a thrilling atmosphere in the stadium.

Meanwhile, the stadium crew swiftly set up for the trophy ceremony. Workers hurriedly assembled the podium at the center of the pitch, unfurling a massive banner that read "World Cup Champions."

The glittering World Cup trophy was then carefully placed on a pedestal, its golden surface gleaming under the stadium lights. The anticipation around the stadium intensified, compounded by the joy, disbelief, and pride that the Ivorian players and their supporters felt.

Soon enough, the Ivory Coast players gathered near the podium, their excitement mounting. The officials began organizing the ceremony, and the cheers of the African fans in the crowd grew louder.

Zachary was still overwhelmed with emotion. But he still found himself at the center of attention as his teammates gathered around him, reliving the moments of the just-concluded game.

The proceedings moved forward quickly, and the stadium announcer's voice suddenly boomed over the loudspeakers, "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the world champions, the World Cup winners, Ivory Coast!"

As the announcement sounded, the cheers of the Ivorian fans hit a crescendo, their voices shaking the entire stadium. Zachary soaked his mind in the excitement, his heart swelling with pride as he stood alongside his teammates.

The ceremony then commenced with the presentation of individual awards. First, the Best Young Player award was announced, and the spotlight turned to Kylian Mbappé. Despite the loss, the young French star received a warm ovation as he stepped forward to accept his award, his talent undeniable.

Next came the Best Goalkeeper award. The announcer's voice rang out, "The award for Best Goalkeeper goes to Sylvain Gbohouo of Ivory Coast!" The Ivorian goalkeeper, a key figure in their triumph, walked up to the podium, greeted by applause and cheers. He lifted the award high, a Cheshire cat's grin on his face.

The anticipation built as the announcer moved on to the Golden Boot award. "With an incredible 11 goals in this World Cup campaign, the Golden Boot goes to Zachary Bemba!"

Since he was still nursing his injury, Zachary hobbled to the podium with the support of Eric Bailly. The crowd cheered as he accepted the award, the Ivorian fans singing his name animatedly.

His emotions overwhelmed him as he held the Golden Boot, the culmination of his hard work and dedication. He felt blissful as such fulfilling moments were what he had always been chasing, what he had always yearned to experience ever since his rebirth.

But the accolades didn't stop there. The announcer continued, "And the Golden Ball for the best player of the World Cup also goes to Zachary Bemba!"

The stadium once again erupted in cheers as Zachary accepted the prestigious award. His teammates surrounded him, their pride and joy evident. Zachary couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment.

The presentation of the individual medals for both teams quickly followed, and finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived.

The stadium fell silent as Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, stepped forward, holding the World Cup trophy. The Ivorian captain, Gervinho, was called to receive the trophy on behalf of the team. Although he didn't play the final because of an injury, he was still the man to do the honors.

Gervinho's face beamed with pride as he stepped forward on the podium. The president handed him the trophy, and Gervinho raised it above his head.

The stadium exploded in celebration. Confetti rained down, the golden flakes shimmering in the stadium lights. The Ivorian players gathered around their captain, each wanting to touch the trophy—to feel the reality of their achievement. They had done it. Against all odds, they had won the World Cup.

As the celebrations continued on the pitch, the players' emotions were a mix of joy, relief, and disbelief. Zachary, despite his injury, was at the heart of the celebration. Eventually, his teammates couldn't resist the urge to lift him onto their shoulders, carrying him around the pitch in a victory lap. The fans chanted his name, their footballing icon, their champion.

Coach Hervé Renard, usually composed, couldn't hide his tears of joy. He hugged each of his players, his pride evident. This victory was not just a win on the field but a testament to their hard work, unity, and determination. They had faced formidable opponents, overcome challenges, and emerged victorious.

08:09

The ceremony eventually moved to a more personal celebration. The players' immediate families joined them on the pitch, sharing the moment.

Zachary was the odd man out, as he no longer had any close family members ever since his grandma had passed away. There was, of course, his biological mom. Their relationship had improved over the past three years, but they were still not that close.

Though all that wouldn't dampen his spirits at such a momentous occasion.

The celebrations moved forward, and the media eventually swarmed the pitch, capturing the historic moment. Interviews were conducted, and Zachary found himself in front of a microphone. "Zachary, how does it feel to win the World Cup and receive the Golden Boot and Golden Ball?" a reporter asked.

Zachary, still emotional, took a moment to compose himself. "I just can't explain the feeling," he began. "This is a dream come true. We worked so hard for this, and to finally achieve it, it's surreal. I couldn't have done it without my teammates, our coach, and the support of our fans. This victory is for everyone who has always believed in us."

"Your performance was phenomenal, especially those solo runs you made for the last two goals," said the reporter. "Can you describe what went through your mind during those moments?"

"Sure," Zachary replied. "For both goals, when I got the ball, I saw a bit of space and decided to go for it. I knew the French defense was strong, but I trusted my speed and ability to navigate through. As I ran past their defenders, I focused on keeping my composure and ensuring I placed the shots well. And both times, the ball hit the back of the net, and the adrenaline rush was incredible."

The reporter continued, "Those final minutes should have been tense after you were forced off the pitch due to injury. What was going through your mind during those final moments?"

Zachary smiled, a mix of relief and joy in his eyes. "I was praying for the whistle to blow. The tension was unbearable, but when it finally ended, it was pure joy. I'm grateful for this moment… and I'll cherish it forever."

"Lastly, what message do you have for the fans back home who have been cheering for you all along?"

Zachary took a deep breath and sighed. "I want to say a massive thank you to all our fans. Your support has been incredible, and it means the world to us. This victory is for you as much as it is for us. We felt your energy and passion every step of the way, and it motivated us to give our all. Thank you for believing in us and celebrating this historic moment with us. We couldn't have done it without you."

The interview soon ended, but the celebrations didn't stop. The Ivorian team eventually moved to the locker room, where the party showed no signs of slowing down. Music blared, and the players danced, their joy infectious. The World Cup trophy was passed around, each player taking a moment to hold it, to feel the weight of their achievement.

Zachary sat down after a while, his injury forcefully reminding him to take it easy. He looked around at his teammates, their faces glowing with happiness.

This victory wasn't just for Ivory Coast; it was a triumph for the entire African continent. They had made history as the first African nation to claim the World Cup. And as the age-old adage goes, where there was a first, a second would surely be within reach.

Their unprecedented achievement sparked an ardent hope in Zachary that it would ignite a fire within African athletes, propelling them to strive for greatness and bring even more glory to their nations.

Amid his thoughts, Coach Renard gathered the team together. "I just want to say how proud I am of all of you," he began. "You played your hearts out during this World Cup campaign, and this victory is a result of your hard work, dedication, and unity. Enjoy this moment because you've earned it."

The players cheered, pumping their fists in the air. "To victory!" they shouted in unison. The party continued late into the night, the joy of their triumph echoing through the stadium.