Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 135: Players Return

Chapter 135: Players Return

Ashley’s brows arched, and her professional demeanor faltered for a moment as she glanced at Benjamin, who pinched the bridge of his nose, visibly exasperated.

"No, Sophie, you didn’t," Benjamin replied, his tone flat but calm. He gestured toward Ashley. "This is Ashley, my agent."

Sophie’s teasing grin widened, her gaze darting between them. "Agent, huh? Is that what you’re calling it these days?"

Ashley chuckled lightly, setting her phone on the counter. "I’m exactly what he says I am—his agent. And you must be Sophie, Adam’s cousin, right?"

"That’s me," Sophie said, tossing her hair over her shoulder with a practiced flair. "And you’re his agent. Got it."

Benjamin shook his head, turning his attention back to Ashley. "Don’t mind her. She thrives on chaos."

Sophie gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her chest. "Rude! I’m delightful, thank you very much."

Ashley smirked, clearly amused by the interaction. "Well, it’s nice to meet you, Sophie. I was just on my way out anyway."

Sophie’s face brightened. "Oh, don’t leave on my account! I’d love to hear more about Benjamin’s... career moves."

Benjamin stood abruptly, moving toward the kitchen doorway. "She’s leaving because her work here is done," he interjected, nodding at Ashley. "Thanks for everything today. Let me know once everything has been sorted out."

Ashley grabbed her bag, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Will do. Good luck, Benjamin. And nice meeting you, Sophie."

With a quick wave, Ashley exited, closing the door softly behind her. Sophie waited all of three seconds before turning toward Benjamin with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Tell me the truth, Ben," she said, leaning casually against the counter. "Is she your girlfriend?"

Benjamin didn’t even flinch. "No," he replied evenly, heading toward his room. He paused just before disappearing down the hallway, throwing a few words over his shoulder. "Go get some rest. There’s food in the kitchen."

Sophie’s laughter followed him, light and carefree. "You’re no fun, you know that?"

Benjamin didn’t respond, the sound of his door clicking shut the only reply.

***

The days blurred together as Benjamin fell into a steady rhythm of training and preparation.

Each morning, he arrived at the pitch early, his boots crunching softly against the dew-covered grass. The air was cool and crisp, a refreshing contrast to the heat that would build as the sun climbed higher.

His training sessions were intense but structured. He started with ball control drills, focusing on sharp touches and quick turns, before moving on to small-sided games where precision and decision-making were key.

By the time he reached the free-kick practice, his muscles burned, but he welcomed the challenge.

Standing just outside the box, he studied the ball’s placement carefully, visualizing the trajectory in his mind. His routine was simple—three steps back, one to the side, then a steady breath as he locked his eyes on the target.

The whistle of the ball cutting through the air became a familiar sound, followed by the satisfying thud of the net as the ball sailed in.

Eight out of ten kicks. That had become his highest consecutive score.

Yet, Benjamin wasn’t one to get carried away. He knew that training ground precision didn’t always translate to matchday pressure.

A stadium packed with roaring fans, the weight of expectations, and the split-second decisions required on the field could change everything.

Still, he was confident in the work he’d put in. Improvement was a process, and he was fully committed to it.

As the week wore on, his teammates who weren’t called up began to notice the change. During scrimmages, his free-kicks had started to find the top corner with alarming consistency.

Even the goalkeepers like Alvarado, who was normally quick with a jab or a joke, had started muttering under their breath about his growing accuracy.

"Ben, you’re going to make us look bad," one of them said after yet another strike kissed the underside of the crossbar and dropped in.

Benjamin smiled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Just trying to keep you on your toes."

It wasn’t just the free-kicks, though. His movement off the ball had become sharper, his vision on the field more refined. Little by little, he was putting the pieces together.

By the time Friday arrived, a quiet sense of accomplishment settled over him. The international break had come to an end, and the squad was back to full strength.

Players who had been away on international duties were filtering back in, their return met with the usual banter and handshakes in the locker room.

Alvarado strolled in first, his presence as steady and imposing as ever. Henriksen followed closely behind, his grin wide as he swapped stories with Martens and Elm about their time away.

There was a lively energy in the air, a mix of relief and anticipation as the team prepared to regroup after the break.

Among those returning was Adam, who fresh off his stint with the Dutch U20 squad. His return carried an extra weight for Benjamin, a quiet reminder of the call-up he had turned down.

Adam entered the locker room with a spring in his step, his duffel bag slung over one shoulder. He greeted everyone warmly, pausing briefly when he reached Benjamin.

"Miss me?" Adam teased, dropping his bag onto the bench beside him.

Benjamin smirked, pulling his training top over his head. "Not really. But I’m sure the U20s missed your sparkling personality."

Adam laughed, the sound easy and genuine. "You’re just jealous I got to wear the orange jersey."

"Yeah, that must be it," Benjamin replied dryly, though there was no malice in his tone.

The two settled into their usual rhythm, exchanging updates and playful jabs as they prepared for the day’s session.

Adam seemed relaxed, his confidence was bolstered by his international experience. Benjamin couldn’t help but respect his friend’s growth, even as he focused on his own progress.

Out on the pitch, the full squad trained together for the first time in two weeks.