Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 88: A Special Fan

Chapter 88: A Special Fan

The team dispersed shortly after, some heading for ice baths while others jogged towards the waiting fans.

Benjamin, as always, stayed behind a little longer, working on his footwork and setpiece techniques under the watchful eye of a coach.

The fans lingered as well, reluctant to leave. Conversations buzzed about the team’s form, the match ahead, and the young players like Benjamin, Berghuis, and Adam, who seemed poised to make their mark on European football.

As the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, it felt as though all of Alkmaar was holding its breath for Thursday night.

Benjamin knelt to retie his laces, his gaze drifting momentarily toward the fence where fans pressed against the metal, eager to catch one last glimpse. He stood and jogged over, stopping just shy of the barrier.

Phones rose in unison, capturing the moment as Benjamin signed autographs, posed for photos, and exchanged a few words with those closest.

His presence seemed to light up the faces of young and old alike. Despite the time, he didn’t rush, giving each fan their moment.

"Thank you for coming," he said softly to a wide-eyed boy holding out a scarf. The boy nodded vigorously, clutching the signed item like a treasure.

As Benjamin turned back toward the pitch, Adam jogged up beside him, a sly grin on his face. "You know you’re the star of the show, right?"

Benjamin chuckled, shaking his head. "It’s just the fans showing love. Gotta give it back."

Adam smirked. "Just wait until Thursday. Score against Anzhi, and you’ll need bodyguards."

Benjamin laughed, the sound light and unguarded. "Let’s get through training first."

The two jogged off toward the locker rooms, the murmur of fans following them like a shadow.

The Europa League awaited, and with it, another chance for Benjamin to cement his place in the hearts of the AZ Alkmaar faithful.

***

The water from the shower cascaded down, washing away the sweat and strain of the day.

Benjamin leaned his head back with his eyes closed, letting the warmth relax his muscles. The training session had been intense, but it left him with a sense of readiness for the upcoming clash.

Once finished, he wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped out, steam trailing behind him.

The locker room buzzed with chatter as players talked about dinner plans, upcoming games, or simply exchanged jokes.

Benjamin, who was always quiet in such moments, dried off quickly and began dressing.

"Ready to head out?" Adam Maher asked, slipping his gym bag over his shoulder. He had been waiting by the door, his usual easygoing demeanor evident in the slight tilt of his head.

"Yeah, just grabbing my stuff," Benjamin replied, sliding on his sneakers. He glanced at his reflection in a nearby mirror, smoothing his damp hair back before grabbing his backpack.

As they made their way toward the exit, the familiar voice of assistant coach Martin Haar called out. "Benjamin, a word?"

Benjamin turned towards him, a bit curious. Haar’s expression was softer than usual, a mix of seriousness and warmth. "Sure," he said, nodding to Adam. "Go on without me. I’ll catch up."

Adam gave a knowing smile. "Don’t take too long, or I’m eating your share of dinner." With a playful shrug, he walked off.

Haar gestured for Benjamin to follow him. "It won’t take long," he assured, leading the way back into the complex. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly above as they walked down the hallway.

"Everything okay?" Benjamin asked in a measured tone.

"Yes, yes," Martin Haar replied. He glanced over his shoulder briefly before continuing. "We’ve got a visitor today. A special guest, actually."

Benjamin’s brow furrowed slightly in curiosity, but he didn’t interrupt.

"There’s a young boy," Haar began, his voice quieter now, "a big fan of yours. He’s been battling cancer, and, well, meeting you would mean the world to him. His parents brought him here, hoping for an autograph or even just a handshake."

The words hung in the air for a moment. Benjamin stopped walking, processing them, before his expression softened. "Of course," he said without hesitation. "Where is he?"

Haar’s lips curled into a small smile. "Follow me."

They turned a corner, and Haar opened a door leading to a private lounge inside the complex.

The room was quiet, save for the hushed whispers of a young boy sitting on a couch beside his parents.

The boy, no older than nine, wore an oversized AZ Alkmaar jersey with Benjamin’s name and number on the back.

The moment Benjamin entered, the boy’s eyes widened in disbelief. His small hands clutched a marker and a notebook tightly.

"Benjamin, this is Luca," Haar said, stepping aside to let the player through.

Benjamin knelt down to be at eye level with the boy, his warm smile immediately easing the tension in the room. "Hey, Luca," he said softly. "It’s good to meet you."

The boy’s voice was barely above a whisper. "You’re my favorite player."

Benjamin chuckled lightly, taking the notebook and marker from Luca’s trembling hands. "Thank you for supporting me. That means a lot." He signed the notebook carefully, adding a small message: Stay strong, Luca. You’re a fighter.

Luca’s parents watched with gratitude shining in their eyes, their son’s joy brightening the room.

Benjamin didn’t stop there; he asked Luca about his favorite goals and moments, taking the time to listen and make him feel heard.

After a few minutes, Benjamin stood and slipped off his training jacket. He handed it to Luca. "Here. A little something for you to keep."

The boy’s jaw dropped, his hands clutching the jacket like it was made of gold. "Thank you!"

Benjamin ruffled his hair gently. "No, thank you. You’re the real inspiration here."

Benjamin’s gaze lingered on Luca for a moment, the boy still clutching the training jacket like it was the most valuable treasure in the world. A thought crossed his mind, and he crouched down again.

"Luca," he said softly, his tone inviting. "Do you have any special requests? Anything you’d like me to do?"

The boy’s wide eyes blinked up at him, his small face scrunching slightly in concentration. He looked to his parents, who encouraged him with a nod, then back to Benjamin. Slowly, a shy smile crept onto his face.

"Could you... could you do your celebration? The one from your last goal?" Luca’s voice was barely louder than a whisper, but there was a spark of excitement in his words. "The one where you slid on your knees and fired an imaginary arrow... like Cupid?"

Benjamin chuckled warmly, the sound carrying a sense of genuine joy. "During the match against Anzhi, right?"

Luca nodded enthusiastically, his hands gripping the jacket even tighter.

"You’ve got a good memory," Benjamin said, smiling. "Alright, I’ll make you a promise. If I score against Anzhi, I’ll do that celebration just for you. How does that sound?"

The boy’s face lit up like the sun, his smile so big it looked like it might spill over. "Really?" he asked, disbelief and joy mingling in his tone.

"Really," Benjamin confirmed, tapping Luca lightly on the shoulder. "But you have to watch the game and cheer extra loud for us, okay?"

"I will!" Luca exclaimed, his excitement bubbling over.

His parents exchanged a glance, the mother pressing a hand to her mouth, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. When Benjamin stood, she stepped forward, pulling her son close.

"Thank you," she said, her voice thick with emotion. A tear slipped down her cheek as she hugged Luca tightly. "You’ve made his whole year."

Benjamin smiled, his gaze dropping to Luca one last time. "It’s the least I could do. He’s the real star here."

As Haar guided Benjamin toward the exit, the young boy’s laughter and the sound of his parents’ gratitude echoed faintly behind them.

The moment brought back memories of his parents and little sister, Ayo. Benjamin glanced back one last time, seeing Luca’s radiant smile. It was a simple moment but one that would stay with him far longer than any victory on the pitch.