Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 248: Signing With PUMA

Chapter 248: Signing With PUMA

Four days after their league victory over Twente, AZ Alkmaar returned to action in the Europa League. On Thursday, October 11, at 6:00 PM, they hosted Swiss side BSC Young Boys for Matchday 2 of the group stage.

The AFAS Stadion was filled with energy as the home fans welcomed their team onto the pitch. Confidence was high after a strong domestic start, and the players looked focused as they lined up for kickoff.

From the first whistle, AZ Alkmaar controlled the tempo. Their passing was sharp, and they moved the ball quickly, looking for gaps in the Young Boys’ defense. The visitors tried to press high, but AZ’s midfield, led by Maher and Martens, remained composed under pressure.

It didn’t take long for the breakthrough. In the 18th minute, Benjamin found himself in the right place at the right time. After a clever one-two between Martens and Altidore, the ball was played into the box. A deflected clearance fell perfectly to Benjamin, who reacted quickly and slotted it past the goalkeeper. The stadium erupted as he celebrated his first Europa League goal.

AZ Alkmaar didn’t slow down. They continued to push forward, and their attacking pressure paid off again in the 36th minute. Roy Beerens, cutting in from the right, took on his marker and fired a low shot into the bottom corner. The Young Boys’ keeper got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out. AZ went into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 lead.

In the second half, the visitors tried to respond, but AZ’s defense stood firm. Viergever and Johansson organized the backline well, keeping Young Boys’ attackers quiet. Whenever the Swiss side managed to get through, Alvarado was there to make the save.

The final blow came in the 72nd minute. Guðmundsson, who had come off the bench, sealed the victory with a brilliant strike from outside the box. His left-footed shot curled past the goalkeeper and into the top corner, putting the game beyond reach.

With a 3-0 victory, AZ Alkmaar took all three points and moved to second place in the group. They now had the same points as Liverpool, who sat in first on goal difference. The result reinforced their strong start to the season, and with momentum on their side, they looked ahead to their next challenge.

Benjamin took Friday to rest. After two intense matches in a week, his body needed it. He spent most of the day at home, stretching, icing his legs, and watching game footage.

The soreness was there, but it was a good kind—the kind that reminded him he was making progress.

By Saturday afternoon, he was ready for something different. Ashley arrived right on time, pulling up in her Audi Q3 outside his apartment. She lowered the window, sunglasses on, flashing him a quick smile.

"Ready?" she asked.

Benjamin nodded, opening the passenger door and getting in. The car smelled of leather and fresh perfume. He adjusted his seatbelt as Ashley pulled away from the curb.

"Big day for you," she said, glancing at him.

"Yeah," Benjamin muttered. "Feels a bit surreal."

Ashley smirked. "Get used to it. You’ve earned this."

The drive through Alkmaar was smooth, the late morning sun casting long shadows over the streets. Benjamin stared out the window, his mind drifting.

This was his first endorsement deal. A year ago, he was just another academy player. Now, he was about to sit across from PUMA representatives and sign a contract.

They arrived at the restaurant, a high-end spot tucked into the heart of the city. The kind of place where reservations were made weeks in advance. Ashley handed the keys to the valet while Benjamin adjusted his jacket.

"Take a deep breath," Ashley said, nudging him playfully.

Benjamin chuckled with a shake of his head and followed her inside.

The restaurant’s interior had a quiet elegance. Soft lighting, polished wood, and neatly set tables filled the space. A few patrons glanced up as Benjamin and Ashley entered, but most were absorbed in their meals or quiet conversations.

A host greeted them, smiling as he led them through the dining area toward a private section in the back.

The moment they stepped inside, Benjamin spotted them—the PUMA representatives were two men and a woman, dressed in sharp suits, waiting at a round table.

Ashley gave him a small nod before stepping forward. "Gentlemen, thanks for waiting."

One of the men, a tall figure with graying hair, stood and extended his hand. "Benjamin, great to finally meet you in person. I’m Markus."

Benjamin shook his hand firmly. "Nice to meet you too."

Introductions went around quickly. The woman, Elise, was PUMA’s marketing director, and the other man, Daniel, handled contract negotiations. They were all friendly but professional in their words.

Once everyone was seated, a waiter approached, filling their glasses with water. Ashley took charge, easing the conversation into small talk. The mood was relaxed, but Benjamin knew they were just warming up.

Markus leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Let’s get straight to it. We’ve been following your progress, Benjamin. You’re young, talented, and already making an impact. We believe you fit the PUMA brand—dynamic, ambitious, with a style of play that excites people."

Benjamin listened, nodding. He felt Ashley’s gaze on him, silently telling him to stay calm and not show any overly excitement.

Daniel slid a folder across the table. "This is the contract, a little improvement from the draft we sent to your agent here. Standard terms for a player at your level. A base deal with performance incentives. If you continue developing the way you are now, we’ll revisit the terms in the future."

Benjamin opened the folder, scanning the pages. His name was there, printed at the top. And as Daniel said, the terms this time around showed their intentions.

***

[Company: [Puma] }

Client: Benjamin Yinka Rijkaard

Duration: Five years, renewable based on mutual agreement.

Annual Payment: [€480,000 with performance bonuses up to €200,000: 40 Goals contribution milestone (€65,000), Individual awards (€50,000) and team League/Cup win (€85,000)

Key Feature: [A personalized boot line entirely designed around Benjamin’s playing style]

Additional Perks: [High involvement in product development, input on branding, and invitations to exclusive Puma events]

***

Benjamin’s eyes skimmed over the details. The numbers were impressive—more than he ever imagined signing at this stage of his career. But it wasn’t just about the money.

His own personalized boot line? That meant something. It showed they weren’t just signing him as another face. They saw his potential.

Ashley leaned in slightly. "Good deal," she murmured.

Benjamin nodded, keeping his expression neutral. "I like it."

Markus smiled, pleased with the response. "We believe in long-term relationships, Benjamin. This isn’t just a sponsorship. We want you involved—your input, your vision. You won’t just wear our boots; you’ll help create them."

Benjamin’s grip on the pen tightened slightly. He had grown up watching players with signature boots—legends who left their mark on the game. Now, his name was about to be on that path.

He signed.

As soon as the last stroke of ink settled on paper, Elise extended her hand. "Welcome to the PUMA family."

The handshake felt like a shift—like something had clicked into place. The deal was sealed.

Ashley raised her glass of water. "To Benjamin," she said with a smirk. "The future face of PUMA."

Benjamin huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. He wasn’t one for big words, but the weight of the moment settled in.