golden star

02

⤏ Everbody who knew him would tell you, ever since Chase was young he wanted to go pro. He would do whatever it took. He wanted to achieve greatness. He wanted to proudly wrap the French flag over his shoulders, with a medal around his neck. He wanted to hear cheers through the stadium when he ran onto the field. He wanted his name to be mentioned in a conversation of the greatest players. He prided himself with his hard work and dedication, he truly believed he could achieve his dream. So he did.

Chase was born in France on 11 June 2001. At age 5 he and his family moved to Italy to be close to their family. There he and his cousin joined the local football club together alongside their fathers, who were once pro players. That's where his journey to the top began.

The local club, became a national club. Then it became an academy which turned to a scholarship in France. And finally it became his first professional contract.

Paris Saint-Germain had been his dream since he could remember. Getting signed by them at 21 became his biggest achievement.

Even though it seemed like he lived and breathed his sport, he wouldn't blame anyone for thinking that, he appreciates many things outside his career. His family was his whole world. His little sister who made fun of him yet still supported him, his mother who had believed in him since day one and his father that taught him about the sport he now loves. He didn't see his family in Italy that often anymore, but when he did he cherished their moments as if it were his last.

His friends were another important part of his life. It was mostly his team, the group of guys he spent almost every day with. From Kylian, the guy who taught him so much, to Lee, who's food he always stole. He loved his team like brothers.

Leo Baviera was his best friend. They met during their first year in the PSG Academy at age 16. They were both in the Residency program for international students, and spent their whole two years as roommates. They went on to join Rennes together for two years, before Leo was signed as a reserve for PSG. Though the best friends were reunited only a year later when Chase signed his own contract. The two now live together in a small Paris apartment, that they really only use to sleep. When they aren't on the field or in the gym together, they were battling it out on the Xbox or eating pizza down the street.

Sometimes when Chase looks back at his life, he notices the lack of anything but football. It was always practice and traveling for matches, even at a young age. The only friends he had was his team, and all anyone talked to him about was football. He felt as if it was all he had. What would happen if he got an injury? What would he do then? He couldn't play forever, he knew that.

So who was he without football? ⤎

Paris, France
14 Feb

The home crowd bursts into screams and cheers as the final whistle blows. Paris Saint-Germain had beaten Real Sociedad 2-0.

Chase congratulated both Kylian Mbappe and Bradley Barcola on their goals. He then ran towards his best friend, Leo, who was on the other side of the field. The two ran to each other and nearly tackled the other into the ground. Chase placed a sloppy kiss onto the boy's forehead, gaining a grin. They made their way over to their team.

After a few pictures and a very long team meeting, the team was finally able to leave. Some of the guys practically ran out of the locker room, too meet their girlfriends and wives. Today was Valentine's day, yet they still had to come to play a gala match. Chase had no problem with that seeing as he didn't have a girlfriend. Leo and his girlfriend of eight months were going out for a fancy dinner, leaving him home alone. So Chase calmly packed up his stuff, being one of the last out. He and a few of the single guys stood chatting and laughing at their lack of love lives.