Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 130: The Absurdity Of It All 2

Chapter 130: The Absurdity Of It All 2

Adam, on the other hand, had no such reservations. His excitement was clear when he announced he’d be accepting the call-up, packing his bags with a grin that Benjamin couldn’t quite understand.

The next day, Adam left for the training camp, leaving Benjamin and his cousin, Sophie, alone in their shared apartment.

He spent the first evening alone replaying the events in his head. Was he overreacting? Was he being ungrateful for the chance to represent his country, even at the youth level? Maybe. But it didn’t change how he felt.

His pride wasn’t just about himself—it was about the work he had put in, the sacrifices he had made, and the belief that he was ready for more.

Playing for the U20s felt like being overlooked, like the people in charge weren’t paying attention to what he was doing at AZ Alkmaar.

Despite the frustration, Benjamin knew he couldn’t let it distract him for too long. There were bigger things to focus on—things that mattered more than a call-up to a youth squad.

As the days dragged on, he returned to his training routine, almost obsessively. The gym sessions in the mornings were getting harder, and his technical drills in the afternoons were pushing his limits but he persevered.

He still worked on free kicks, trying to get them as perfect as the ones he’d scored against Roda JC and Anzhi Makhachkala.

In the evenings, after his body had cooled down and the exhaustion from the day began to settle in, Benjamin would pull up old match footage.

He wasn’t just watching for the sake of it; he was studying every move, and was paying close attention to the way his idols carried themselves under pressure, especially in moments when the game was on the line.

He wanted to learn, not just play. Every decision they made, every pass or goal they scored, he took mental notes on how he could do it better.

With Adam gone and Sophie busy with her modeling commitments, the apartment began to feel emptier than ever.

The silence, once a welcome break after every grueling training sessions, now hung heavily in the air.

Benjamin found himself alone for long stretches, and his thoughts often drifted back to the U20 call-up he’d turned down.

He wasn’t one to mope, though. If anything, he sought distractions to keep his mind from spiraling. Without the adrenaline of the pitch or the company of his teammates, he needed something to occupy his mind.

That’s when the Xbox 360 in the living room became his unexpected lifeline.

FIFA 13 became his go-to, allowing him to lose himself in the world of football without the weight of real-life expectations.

He created his own international campaign, playing for both nations and guiding the teams to fictional glory.

There was something oddly satisfying about scoring wonder goals with a virtual version of himself, even if it was just pixels on a screen.

When he needed a break from football—real or virtual—he switched to games like Call of Duty: Black Ops II and Halo 4. The fast-paced action was a welcome escape, giving him an outlet to channel his frustrations.

Hours flew by as he battled through campaigns and online matches with the intensity of the games keeping his mind sharp.

The quiet evenings became more manageable with these digital escapes. Sophie would occasionally pop in between her shoots or castings, her presence breaking the monotony.

She’d tease him about spending so much time on the Xbox, but he could tell she appreciated seeing him unwind.

Even with the temporary relief gaming provided, Benjamin didn’t lose sight of his goals. His mornings were still spent at the gym, his afternoons dedicated to technical drills at the training complex.

But the evenings, which were once filled with endless replays of past matches and tactical analyses, now had a new rhythm.

The Xbox 360 became a way to remind himself that he was still a teenager, despite the professional world he’d stepped into. It gave him a chance to reset, to enjoy moments of normalcy amidst the growing pressures of his career.

And as he powered through the final days of the break, Benjamin knew one thing for sure: come September 16th, he’d be ready to let his feet do the talking again, both on the pitch and in the real world.

Still, Benjamin decided he wouldn’t let it derail him. If anything, it was more motivation to push himself.

He spent the next few days sticking to his routine, training harder than ever, and preparing for AZ Alkmaar’s return to league action.

The U20 call-up might not have been what he wanted, but he wasn’t going to let it define him.

If the senior teams weren’t ready to notice him yet, he’d make sure they couldn’t ignore him much longer.

On the morning of September 12th, Benjamin woke up to a message from Ashley.

She was finally coming by the apartment that evening to discuss some updates on endorsement offers.

Benjamin couldn’t help but feel a small burst of excitement and expectation. It wasn’t every day that this agent of his visited him in person, and he was eager to hear what she had to say.

Ashley’s visit felt like a good change of pace—a chance to break the silence and show off a side of himself that few got to see. And a side she doubted: his cooking skills.

He spent the morning tidying up the place. It wasn’t messy, but Benjamin wanted it to look spotless.

The shared living room was cleared of stray game controllers and water bottles, and the small dining table was set up neatly for two.

By the time he hit the gym for his morning session, his mind was already racing with dinner ideas. He didn’t want to overthink it, but he also didn’t want to serve something too simple.

Ashley had been one of his biggest supporters, and this felt like a chance to thank her for always having his back.