Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 41: A Potential Future Star

Chapter 41: A Potential Future Star

The next day, Benjamin woke up with a slight exhaustion after the previous day’s intense match up against Heracles Almelo.

After completing his morning routines, he brushed his teeth and showered before heading to the living room of the apartment where Adam was watching TV.

"Hey, what’s for breakfast?" Benjamin asked as he entered the living room.

"You know I can’t cook Ben, and my stomach’s been grumbling all morning in complaint...sigh. Poor me, Now you’re my only hope. Pls save me from my misery, Chef Ben." Adams facial expression was quite animated as he complained pitifully.

"Quit acting childishly Adam, you should go learn to cook or something, or else, you’ll have to start paying for your meals." Benjamin retorted mockingly but was quite pleased with Adams praise for his cooking skills.

Adam’s eyes widened and he grasped his chest in an exhagerated manner, "Those are hurtful word Ben, my poor heart can’t handle such intense feelings. You’ll have to compensate for that with a sumptuous breakfast."

"Such shamelessness" Benjamin stood speechless, "I’ll quickly cook up something for us to eat" he shook his head in defeat and headed to the kitchen.

"Hehehe, thank you Ben!"

The hum of the television filled the small living room after Benjamin left. Adam sat cross-legged on the couch with a bowl of cereal resting precariously on his lap as he flipped through the channels until he landed on a familiar sports program.

The bold orange logo of Nos Studio Sport flashed across the screen, and he immediately leaned forward with his interest piqued.

The lead pundit of the sports program was a well-dressed man with sparsely to no hair on his head. He gestured animatedly as highlights from the Eredivisie’s Game Week 2 matches played on the screen behind him.

[It’s been an eventful weekend in Dutchfootball] he began after a brief into and his tone was filled with years of experience. [Ajax continues their dominant start to the new league campaign after an impressive five nill win at Vitesse. Two consecutive victories for De Godenzonen and they’ll be looking to keep up that form as the season continues]

[PSV dropped unexpected points away at FC Utrecht, and Feyenoord... well, they still have work to do after two consecutive losses this early in the season]

The other pundits around the table chuckled knowingly before the conversation shifted. A clip of AZ Alkmaar’s draw against Heracles Almelo rolled on the screen. The studio lights glinted off the desk as the camera zoomed in on the host.

[But perhaps one of the most intriguing stories of the weekend came from Alkmaar] he continued. [A 2-2 draw against Heracles Almelo after an intense matchup of drawing-level twice to steal a point at home—a result that leaves Gertjan Verbeek with plenty to think about. However, one player stood out despite the disappointment: the debutant, Benjamin Yinka Rijkaard]

The screen cut to a slow-motion replay of Benjamin’s last-minute free kick against Heracles, the ball curling toward the top corner before brushing the goalkeeper’s hand and clipping the crossbar.

The pundits murmured in appreciation of spectacular display, if only...

[Look at that technique] one of them said, pointing at the screen. [The composure and the confidence at seventeen years old to even take that shot in the dying moments of the game. No doubt, this kid is special]

[Indeed] another pundit chimed in. [Benjamin came on and immediately injected energy into the team. His movements on and off the ball, his willingness to take risks— those are qualities you don’t often see in a player his age]

Back in the apartment, Adam’s grin widened as he turned toward the kitchen. "Yo, Ben!" he called out, his voice brimming with excitement. "You’re popular now, eh? Come see this, quickly!"

In the kitchen, Benjamin stood by the stove with a spatula in hand as the aroma of frying eggs and bacon filled the room.

His hair was still a little damp from his morning shower, and he wore a simple gray t-shirt and sweatpants. He glanced over his shoulder, his brow furrowing slightly.

"What is it now, Adam?" he asked, flipping the eggs with practiced ease.

"Just come here!" Adam insisted, his voice almost a shout now. "They’re talking about you on TV!"

Benjamin hesitated a bit and then turned off the stove before wiping his hands on a nearby towel. He walked into the living room, and the faint sound of the pundits’ voices were growing louder.

[...and let’s not forget the maturity he showed in the post-match interviews] one of them was saying. [He spoke with the poise of a seasoned professional, as though he’s been in the game for long. If Verbeek gives him more opportunities, which I personally think is the expectation of every De Kaaskoppen supporter, we could be looking at the rise of a potential future star]

Adam gestured at the screen excitedly, his cereal momentarily forgotten. "See? They’re calling you a future star. That’s crazy, man!"

Benjamin rubbed the back of his neck and a sheepish smile creeped onto his face as he watched the replay of his performance. "They’re exaggerating it, and by the way, they said ’a potential future star’. It’s not set in stone, and anything could happen in the future" he said, though the slight flush on his cheeks betrayed his modesty.

"Exaggerating it?" Adam scoffed in disdain at his attempted show of modesty. "Come on, Ben. They’re f*cking right about that, you killed it yesterday. Pasveer just had to choose that game of all games to turn into prime Buffon."

Benjamin chuckled while shaking his head at Adam’s words, "Let’s see if Coach Verbeek agrees."

Adam laughed, slapping the couch cushion beside him. "He’ll come around. But seriously, this is only the beginning, my friend. Enjoy it."

"Thanks a lot"

Benjamin sat down beside Adam, temporarily forgetting what he was doing before being called as a faint trace of pride and determination appeared in his eyes as the pundits continued to analyze his performance.

For a brief moment, he allowed himself to take in the recognition and the validation. But in the back of his mind, Coach Jansen’s stern advice from back in Haarlem lingered.