Matt Oldfield - Kante (Ultimate Football Heroes--the No. 1 football series): Collect them all!

For all readers, young and old(er)

Matt Oldfield delivers sports writing workshops in schools, and is the author of Unbelievable Football and Johnny Ball: Accidental Football Genius. Tom Oldfield is a freelance sports writer and the author of biographies on Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsne Wenger and Rafael Nadal.

Cover illustration by Dan Leydon.

To learn more about Dan visit danleydon.com

To purchase his artwork visit etsy.com/shop/footynews

Or just follow him on Twitter @danleydon

TABLE OF CONTENTS

First of all, Id like to thank Bonnier Books UK and particularly my editor Laura Pollard for supporting me throughout and running the ever-expanding UFH ship so smoothly. Writing stories for the next generation of football fans is both an honour and a pleasure.

I wouldnt be doing this if it wasnt for my brother Tom. I owe him so much and Im very grateful for his belief in me as an author. I feel like Robin setting out on a solo career after a great partnership with Batman. I hope I do him (Tom, not Batman) justice with these new books.

Next up, I want to thank my friends for keeping me sane during long hours in front of the laptop. Pang, Will, Mills, Doug, John, Charlie the laughs and the cups of coffee are always appreciated.

Ive already thanked my brother but Im also very grateful to the rest of my family, especially Melissa, Noah and of course Mum and Dad. To my parents, I owe my biggest passions: football and books. Theyre a real inspiration for everything I do.

Finally, I couldnt have done this without Ionas encouragement and understanding during long, work-filled weekends. Much love to you.

15 July 2018, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
NGOLO KANT! boomed the tall man with the microphone, pausing as his words echoed around the stadium.

NGolo grinned, looked up at the crowd on all sides of the pitch and then stepped forward, through the red, blue and white confetti, to collect his winners medal. In a daze, he shook hands with a long line of FIFA officials. Words came out of his mouth as he accepted their praise, but later he couldnt remember any of what he had said to them.

He skipped over to join his teammates, all of whom had the same smiles all over their faces.

Congratulations to France, the 2018 World Cup Champions! Microphone Man screeched.

Fireworks went off all around NGolo, scaring him for a second, before the music and dancing began. It was party time! After a long month under pressure to bring the trophy home, France had done it. Les Bleus had made up for losing the Euro 2016 Final to Portugal, by winning their second-ever World Cup.

It hadnt always been an easy journey for the team. There had been some nervy moments along the way, like falling 21 behind against Lionel Messis Argentina in the Round of 16, and holding on to beat Eden Hazards Belgium 10 in the semi-final. In the World Cup Final, however, France had cruised to a 42 victory over Croatia. It was now official; their talented team was the best in the business.

Allez Les Bleus! Allez Les Bleus!

NGolo hadnt scored any World Cup goals, but that didnt matter because that wasnt his job. No, France could rely on the skill of Antoine Griezmann, the speed of Kylian Mbapp, and the power of Paul Pogba for that. Instead, NGolos job was to do the hard work in midfield, protecting the defence and winning the ball back for the attackers.

And he had played his part brilliantly. His non-stop running had kept Croatias captain and star player Luka Modric quiet, just as they had rehearsed in training that week. When NGolo was substituted in the second half for fresher legs and to avoid picking up a second yellow card, he knew that he had done his job. He and his teammates had saved their best performance for when it mattered the most.

Campeones, Campeones, Ol! Ol! Ol!

As the shiny World Cup trophy was passed from player to player, NGolo waited patiently for his turn. As usual, he was happy to stay in the background and let others have the spotlight. He liked being the unsung hero.

Hey, dont forget about NGolo! shouted manager Didier Deschamps, spotting that his midfield general was still waiting for his turn.

Finally, the trophy made its way to NGolo, and his teammates started a little chant of Ooooooo! as he kissed it and lifted it high above his head. He waved at the three cameras around the stage, hoping that one of them was the footage that his family and friends would be watching around the world. It was a proud, unforgettable night. If people didnt know the name NGolo Kant before the tournament began, they certainly did now.

As he soaked up the atmosphere, NGolo had a strong feeling that this wouldnt be the last time this team was celebrating a major tournament win. From the moment the squad arrived in Russia, there had been a calm confidence amongst the players. And with Kylian still only nineteen years old, plus Paul, Antoine and Raphal Varane all hitting their prime, the future was incredibly bright for Les Bleus.

What a night! Paul yelled in NGolos ear as they waved to the fans and carried the French flag around the pitch. Were World Champions!

I like the sound of that, NGolo said, grinning even wider. Ever since the 98 World Cup, Ive always dreamed about lifting this trophy, but its even more beautiful than it looks on TV.

Just wait for the scenes in Paris for the big parade, my friend! Well be rock stars for the day.

Not bad for two kids who had to do it the hard way, NGolo added with a grin.

That makes it even sweeter, Paul replied.

Hopefully some of the youngsters watching tonight will be inspired to follow in our footsteps.

Kylian suddenly appeared next to them. Have you two finished your private meeting yet? he asked, laughing. Come on, were taking team photos over there!

NGolo looked over to the far corner flag. He and Paul had been so distracted that they hadnt even noticed their teammates huddling together for photos. The stadium was still so loud, and none of the France fans wanted to go home.

Last one there has to sing the anthem on their own! Paul shouted, sprinting off as NGolo and Kylian followed.

NGolo was so serious about his football that it always caught his teammates by surprise in these moments when he let loose, dancing, singing and loving every minute of it. He jumped on Antoines back and waved his arms from side to side to the beat of the drums in the crowd.

When the celebrations on the pitch finally quietened down, NGolo and his France teammates got ready for their big team party. Everything had been planned earlier in the week, but it was kept top-secret. No-one had wanted to jinx it.

Sitting in the dressing room, with music blaring in the background and his shin pads scattered across the floor, NGolo leaned against the wall behind him and closed his eyes for a minute. At twenty-seven years old, he was sure that his football journey still had more twists and turns to come, but it had already been an incredible ride sometimes painful, sometimes joyful, but rarely dull.

There was no time to dwell on that now, though. Paul appeared out of nowhere, demanding a selfie with him. NGolo snapped back out of his daydream and grinned for the photo.

Kids, lets eat! Mama called out, turning off the oven and grabbing a stack of plates from the cupboard.