Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 249: Touchdown England

Chapter 249: Touchdown England

Four days after finalizing his deal with PUMA, Benjamin signed another contract—this time with Red Bull.

The process was just as smooth. The meeting took place in a modern office building in Amsterdam, a stark contrast to the high-end restaurant from before. No dim lights or polished wood, just glass walls, open spaces, and an atmosphere that screamed ambition.

The Red Bull representatives wasted no time. They had done their homework on Benjamin, just like PUMA had. They saw him as more than just a footballer—he fit their brand of energy, drive, and pushing limits.

The contract reflected that. A five-year deal, structured with performance incentives and media appearances.

Unlike PUMA, there was no custom product line, but Red Bull offered other benefits—personalized sponsorship activations, social media campaigns, and access to exclusive athlete events. They wanted him to be part of their growing football identity.

Benjamin didn’t hesitate. He signed.

Ashley was pleased. Two major endorsements in a week. It was a sign of how quickly things were moving.

But there wasn’t much time to dwell on it.

The next morning, training resumed. AZ Alkmaar had their eyes set on Matchday 9—a tough away fixture against NEC Nijmegen on Saturday, October 20.

The training sessions were intense. After back-to-back wins in the league and Europe, the energy at the club was high. Gertjan Verbeek didn’t let it get to their heads.

He pushed them hard, drilling defensive structure, quick transitions, and attacking patterns. NEC Nijmegen was a tricky side, especially at home. They wouldn’t go down easy.

Benjamin felt the workload. His legs were heavy from the extra attention in training, but he didn’t complain. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind—cutting Ajax lead to one point, Europa League group stage win, endorsement deals. Everything was moving fast.

But at the end of the day, none of it mattered if he didn’t perform on the pitch.

Saturday was coming and another test awaited.

Matchday arrived, and AZ Alkmaar traveled to Nijmegen with a clear objective—win and keep the pressure on Ajax.

The Goffertstadion had a tense atmosphere. NEC Nijmegen, despite their mid-table standing, were a tough team to break down at home.

They played with a compact shape, cutting off passing lanes and forcing AZ Alkmaar to work for every inch of space.

The opening minutes were scrappy. AZ Alkmaar controlled possession but struggled to create clear chances.

NEC sat deep, absorbing pressure and looking for quick counters. Their midfield was aggressive, disrupting AZ Alkmaar’s rhythm with constant pressing.

Gertjan Verbeek’s frustration was visible on the touchline. He barked orders, urging his players to move the ball faster, to stretch the opposition.

It took 27 minutes for AZ Alkmaar to break through. A moment of quality made the difference. Adam spotted Benjamin’s run between the center-backs and played a perfect through ball.

Benjamin didn’t hesitate. He took one touch to control, another to set himself, and then a composed finish past the keeper.

1-0.

His teammates rushed to him in celebration, but there was no over-the-top reaction. The job wasn’t done yet.

NEC responded with more urgency, pushing higher up the pitch, but AZ Alkmaar’s defense stood firm. Viergever and Reijnen kept things tight at the back, while Alvarado was sharp whenever called upon.

Halftime came with AZ Alkmaar still leading. In the dressing room, Gertjan Verbeek’s message was simple—stay focused. NEC wouldn’t back down, and one mistake could shift the momentum.

The second half started with more intensity. NEC looked for an equalizer, forcing AZ Alkmaar to defend deeper than they would have liked. But in the 63rd minute, AZ Alkmaar struck again.

Berghuis, who had been lively down the right, found space just outside the 18 yard box. He took on his defender, cut inside, and curled a brilliant shot into the far corner.

2-0.

That goal killed the game. NEC tried to push forward, but AZ Alkmaar managed the rest of the match well, keeping possession and seeing out the win with maturity.

The final whistle blew, confirming another important victory.

With three more points, AZ Alkmaar stayed in second place, just a single point behind Ajax. The title race was heating up, and they were right in the middle of it.

There was no time to celebrate their win. The moment the players stepped off the pitch in Nijmegen, the focus shifted. A big obstacle in Liverpool awaited.

AZ Alkmaar was set to travel to Anfield for their next Europa League group-stage match. Thursday, October 25—an away night under the lights. A different kind of challenge.

The schedule was tight. They returned to Alkmaar on Sunday, had a light recovery session, and by Monday, training sessions were back in full swing. Gertjan Verbeek didn’t ease up. He knew what they were up against.

Liverpool was not NEC Nijmegen. Playing at Anfield was never easy. The tempo, the crowd, the history—it all played a part.

Tactically, Gertjan Verbeek focused on structure. The defensive line had to stay compact. The midfield had to be disciplined. Transitioning from defense to attack had to be precise.

Benjamin felt the shift in intensity. The usual rhythm of training remained, but there was an edge to everything. The staff analyzed Liverpool’s patterns—how they built from the back, how they pressed with their highline, where the spaces could open up.

Tuesday’s session was relentless. High pressing drills, defensive shape, quick passing under pressure. Gertjan Verbeek drilled into them the importance of composure. Liverpool thrived on teams that lost their nerve.

By Wednesday, the squad flew to England. The travel was smooth, but the reality of the task ahead settled in. A night at Anfield was different from anything most of them had faced before.

The press was already talking. Liverpool was expected to win, but AZ Alkmaar had made a habit of surprising people.

Benjamin didn’t care about the outside noise. He had wished to play in such big moments. He knew the only thing that mattered was what happened on the pitch.