Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 232: Training Session

Chapter 232: Training Session

The soft morning lights of Alkmaar filtered through the blinds, casting a faint glow across Benjamin’s room. He blinked his eyes open, exhaling slowly as he stretched his arms above his head.

The fatigue from last night’s match had settled in his muscles, but it wasn’t the unbearable kind—it was the good kind, the kind that reminded him of the work he had put in.

Rolling out of bed, he made his way to the kitchen, his feet light against the cool floor. The apartment was quiet which meant that Adam and Sophie were probably still deep in sleep.

He grabbed a glass from the cupboard, filled it with water, and squeezed in half a lemon before taking a slow sip. The citrusy taste jolted his senses awake, refreshing him instantly.

After finishing his drink, he stepped onto the small pavement outside the apartment, the crisp morning air greeting him. Alkmaar was still waking up, with only a few people out for early walks.

Benjamin started his morning routine—twenty minutes of light jogging in place, his breathing steady, and his muscles gradually loosening.

Then, he moved into his yoga stretches, focusing on his flexibility and balance. His body had taken a beating from the match, but this routine helped him recover and reset.

By the time he finished, a thin layer of sweat covered his skin. He stood still for a moment with his eyes closed, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

Satisfied, he headed inside for a quick shower. The warm water eased the tension in his muscles, washing away the last traces of sleep.

After changing into a simple t-shirt and joggers, he sat down on the couch, scrolling through messages on his phone.

Most were from his teammates and a few friends congratulating him on the win. He responded casually, keeping the conversations light.

Then his phone buzzed again. The call was from his good friend and agent, Ashley.

Benjamin answered. "Morning, milady."

"Morning, Ben. Hope you slept well." Her tone was as professional as ever, but there was a slight excitement beneath it.

"Yeah, I feel good," he said, leaning back against the couch. "What’s up?"

"I have good news," she said, getting straight to the point. "Saturday, the 13th of October—that’s the day you’ll sign the endorsement deals with Puma and Red Bull."

Benjamin sat up a little. "That soon?"

"Yes," Ashley confirmed. "Both companies want to finalize everything quickly before the season turns serious, so the contracts will be ready for you to sign. We’ll go over the details one last time before then, but it’s all in place."

Benjamin nodded to himself. ’It was about time. They had delayed it long enough.’

Suddenly, his thoughts strayed and he spaced out. Just a few months ago, he was lying in a hospital bed, unsure if he’d ever play again.

Now, things were moving incredibly fast for him—first-team football, European nights, and now high-level endorsements deals.

"Alright," he said finally. "Let’s do it."

Ashley chuckled. "I like the confidence. I’ll send you the schedule for the day. Just be ready."

"Always," Benjamin replied.

As the call ended, he sat back, staring at the ceiling for a moment.

Another step forward.

He took a deep breath, letting the thought settle in. Then, with a small smirk, he got ready for the evening training sessions.

***

The sun had started its slow descent by the time Benjamin arrived at the AZ Alkmaar training complex.

The crisp autumn air carried a slight chill, but the energy around the squad was warm and intense.

The players gathered on the pitch, stretching, chatting, and preparing for the session ahead.

Sunday’s match against FC Twente loomed over them. With Twente only three points behind in the Eredivisie table, this game wasn’t just another regular league fixture... It was a battle for position.

Benjamin pulled on his training top and jogged onto the field, his muscles still adjusting from the previous match. His body ached, but he welcomed it. It meant he was working, improving.

Gertjan Verbeek stood near the center circle with hands on his hips, observing his players. The assistant coaches had already set up cones for the warm-up drills.

"Alright, lads, let’s get to it!" Gertjan Verbeek’s voice cut through the chatter, and just like that, the session began.

The first part was light—short sprints, agility drills, and rondos to get everyone sharp. Benjamin moved fluidly, his touches clean, and his mind focused. He felt good.

Then, the intensity picked up moments later.

The squad was split into two teams for a high-tempo possession game. Small spaces, quick passes, immediate pressure—there was no room to hesitate.

Benjamin, playing centrally, found himself marked tightly, but he relished the challenge. He used his quick turns to escape pressure, played sharp one-twos with Adam, and switched play when needed.

"Good, Benjamin! Keep moving!" One of the coaches shouted.

Sweat dripped down his face, but he barely noticed. His lungs burned, his legs worked, but his mind stayed locked in.

After the possession drills, they moved to tactical work. Twente had a disciplined backline and a dangerous attack, so Gertjan Verbeek drilled them on defensive shape and quick transitions.

"Twente will press hard, so we can’t afford sloppy passes," Gertjan Verbeek reminded them. "Control the tempo, play smart, and punish them on the counter."

They ran through different scenarios—pressing high, dropping deep, switching formations mid-play. Every detail mattered.

By the time training ended, the floodlights had taken over the darkening sky. The players walked off the pitch in small groups of twos and threes, catching their breath, and sharing quick conversations.

Benjamin wiped his face with his sleeve as he reached for his water bottle within the training bag. Adam nudged him with an elbow.

"Looking sharp out there," Adam said.

Benjamin smirked. "You too. Let’s make sure we’re even sharper on Sunday."

Adam grinned. "You already know."

As they headed toward the locker room to shower and change, Benjamin felt that familiar anticipation building. Twente would be a tough challenge, but that was exactly what he wanted.