As Luka stepped off the plane in Dortmund, the crisp autumn air nipped at his cheeks. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he fished it out to see Jorge Mendes' name flashing on the screen.
"Luka, my boy," Jorge's voice crackled through the speaker. "How was the flight?"
"Fine, thanks," Luka replied, stifling a yawn. "What's up?"
"Listen, I've set up a meeting with Puma tomorrow. They're eager to talk terms, and I think you might want to hear what they have to say."
Luka's eyebrows rose. "Puma? Really?"
"Yes, really," Jorge chuckled. "They're pulling out all the stops for this one. What do you say? Shall we go and hear them out?"
Luka hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Alright, let's do this."
The next day, Luka found himself in a conference room at Puma's headquarters in Herzogenaurach.
Björn Gulden, Puma's CEO, strode into the room, his presence commanding immediate attention. "Luka, Jorge, welcome," he said, extending his hand. "We're thrilled to have you here."
As they settled into plush leather chairs around a polished oak table, Björn began his pitch. "Luka, we've been watching you closely, and we believe you're not just a rising star – you're the future of football."
He gestured to a screen behind him, which flickered to life with highlights of Luka's recent performances. "Your vision, your technique, your ability to read the game – it's extraordinary. And we want to be part of your journey."
Jonas Dössler, Head of Sports Marketing, leaned forward. "We're not just offering you a sponsorship deal, Luka. We're offering you a partnership. We want you to be the face of Puma football."
Luka's eyes widened slightly, but he remained silent, listening intently.
"We're talking about a complete package," Jonas continued. "Custom boot lines, apparel collections, global marketing campaigns. We want to build our entire football strategy around you."
Maria Länger, Head of Product Development, chimed in. "We've heard about your ankle concerns, Luka. We're prepared to design advanced, specialized boots to provide maximum support and protection. Our team of engineers and biomechanists will work directly with you to create footwear that not only enhances your performance but also prioritizes your long-term health."
Luka nodded, impressed by their thoroughness, that was definitely a +1 for Puma.
Björn took over again. "Now, let's talk numbers. We're prepared to offer you a five-year deal worth €30 million. But that's just the base. With performance bonuses and royalties from merchandise sales, you could be looking at earnings upwards of €50 million over the course of the contract."
Jorge leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips. "That's certainly an attractive offer. But what about Luka's family? As you know, they've sacrificed a lot for his career."
Björn nodded understandingly. "Of course. We're prepared to offer a comprehensive family package. This includes a luxury home in England for Luka's parents and sister. We want to ensure they're comfortable and taken care of."
A luxury home? For his family? That easily?
"Additionally," Björn continued, "we'll provide education funds for Luka's sister, and travel arrangements for the family to attend key matches and events."
As the meeting progressed, the Puma team delved deeper into their vision for Luka's future with the brand.
"We're not just thinking short-term," Jonas explained. "We see you as the cornerstone of our brand for years to come. We're projecting significant growth in market share with you as our flagship athlete."
He pulled up a graph showing projected sales figures and brand recognition metrics. "Based on your current trajectory and our marketing plans, we believe we can increase our football market share by 20% within the first two years of our partnership."
Luka listened attentively, his mind working to process all the information. He was impressed by Puma's preparation and the depth of their proposal, but he didn't want to get caught up in the excitement, it all sounded good but he couldn't jump at every ear-pleasing offer.
"We've also been monitoring your social media presence," Maria added. "With 600,000 followers on both Twitter and Instagram, you've already got a strong foundation. Our digital marketing team has developed a strategy to double those numbers within the next two months of our partnership."
She brought up a series of mock social media posts and campaign ideas. "We want to showcase not just your skills on the pitch, but your personality off it. We believe fans will connect with your humility and your journey."
"Luka," Björn said, his tone becoming more personal, "we know you're not the type to have your ego stroked. That's not what we're trying to do here. We genuinely believe in your potential to be one of the greatest players of your generation. What we're offering is a partnership to help you reach that potential."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "We've analyzed your stats, your playing style, your impact on games. You're not just good, Luka. You're exceptional. Your vision and creativity on the pitch are reminiscent of players like Iniesta or De Bruyne, but you've got a goal-scoring touch that sets you apart."
Luka shifted in his seat, he had grown accustomed to receiving praise but he'd much prefer if they reframed from constantly comparing him to other players.
"But it's not just about the numbers," Björn continued. "It's the way you elevate your teammates, the way you read the game. We believe that with the right support and platform, you could be a Ballon d'Or contender within the next year or two."
Jorge nodded approvingly, clearly impressed by Puma's approach.
As the meeting drew to a close, Björn made one final pitch. "Luka, we're not just offering you a sponsorship. We're offering you a legacy. With Puma, you won't just be another athlete on our roster. You'll be the athlete, the one who leads us into a new era of football dominance."
He leaned forward, his eyes intense. "We believe in you, Luka. We believe in your talent, your potential, and your character. We want to be part of your journey, to support you every step of the way. What do you say? Are you ready to make history with Puma?"
The room fell silent, all eyes on Luka. He glanced at Jorge, who gave him a subtle nod.
Luka took a deep breath, his mind racing with all he'd heard. "Thank you for this incredible presentation," he began, his voice steady. "You've given me a lot to think about. I appreciate the thought and effort you've put into this proposal."
He paused, choosing his words carefully. "I need some time to process all of this and discuss it with my family and advisors. But I want you to know that I'm genuinely impressed and honored by your offer."
Björn nodded, understanding in his eyes. "Of course, Luka. Take all the time you need. We're committed to this partnership, and we're willing to work with you to make sure it's the right fit for everyone involved."
As they stood to leave, handshakes were exchanged, and business cards passed around. Luka felt a mix of excitement and trepidation as he left the Puma headquarters, the weight of the decision before him settling on his shoulders.
In the car ride back to his apartment, Jorge turned to Luka. "Well, what do you think?"
Luka stared out the window, watching the German countryside roll by. "It's a lot to take in," he admitted. "They've clearly put a lot of thought into this."
Jorge nodded. "They have. But remember, we're in a strong position here. We don't have to rush into anything."
Luka turned to his agent, his eyes serious. "What do you think, Jorge? Is this the right move?"
Jorge considered for a moment. "It's a very strong offer, Luka. The financial package is excellent, and their commitment to your development is impressive. But ultimately, this decision is about more than money. It's about your career, your future."
He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Puma is hungry. They're looking for a player to build their brand around, and they see that potential in you. That comes with a lot of opportunities, but also a lot of pressure. You need to be sure you're ready for that kind of spotlight."
Luka nodded, absorbing Jorge's words. "And what about Nike and Adidas? Are they still in the picture?"
"They're still interested," Jorge confirmed. "But neither has come close to matching Puma's offer yet in terms of building a brand around you. We could use this to leverage better deals from them if you prefer to go with a more established brand in football."
Luka leaned back in his seat, his mind swirling with possibilities. The Puma offer was tempting – the money, the custom boots, the support for his family.
As the car pulled up to his apartment building, Luka made a decision. "I need to talk to my family," he said.
Later that evening, as Luka sat in his apartment, still mulling over the Puma offer, his phone rang. His father's name flashed on the screen. Luka took a deep breath before answering.
"Hello, Dad," he said, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Luka," his father's warm voice came through. "How are you doing? I heard about the Puma meeting today from your mother."
Luka sank into his couch, relief washing over him at the sound of his father's voice. "Yeah, it was... intense. They're offering a lot. More than I ever imagined."
His father hummed thoughtfully. "I see. And how do you feel about it?"
"Honestly? I'm overwhelmed," Luka admitted. "It's not just about the money. They're talking about making me the face of their brand, custom boots, support for our family. It's a lot to process."
"I understand," his father said softly. "It's a big decision, one that could shape your entire career."
Luka nodded, even though his father couldn't see him. "That's what scares me, Dad. What if I make the wrong choice?"
There was a pause on the other end of the line before his father spoke again.
"Luka, let me tell you something about decisions like these. They're never easy, and there's rarely a clear 'right' or 'wrong' choice. What matters is how you approach the opportunity."
Luka listened intently as his father continued.
"Remember when you had to choose between Croatia and Portugal for the national team? You chose with your heart, and look where it's led you. Sometimes, the best decisions aren't about logic or career moves – they're about what feels right to you."
"But Dad," Luka said, voicing his concerns, "this is different. It's not just about playing football anymore. They want me to be a brand, a celebrity. Is that really what I want?"
His father chuckled softly. "Luka, listen to yourself, you're already becoming a celebrity whether you want it or not, matter a fact, you already are one. The question is, who will help you navigate that world in a way that aligns with your values?"
Luka pondered this for a moment. "I hadn't thought about it that way."
"Listen, son," his father continued, his tone becoming more serious. "I've been thinking. Maybe it's time I got more involved in your career. Not to make decisions for you, but to be another set of eyes, someone who always has your best interests at heart."
Luka felt a wave of emotion wash over him, all his life his father had always been far to 'busy' to be invested in Luka, sure he'd get him into a youth team and train him until he was well prepared, but not once would he attend a match, not even a school parent meeting.
"Really? You'd do that?" He finally asked.
"Yes," his father replied without hesitation. "You're my son. I want to make sure you're taken care of, not just during your playing career, but after as well."
Luka smiled, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. "Thanks, Dad. I'll talk to Jorge about getting you more involved."
"Good," his father said. "Now, let's think about this Puma deal. It's not just about the money or the fame. It's about who will help you establish yourself beyond football. Who will ensure you're set up for life after your playing days are over?"
Luka nodded, seeing the bigger picture. "You're right. I wouldn't want to end up squandering everything after my playing days are over."
"Exactly," his father agreed. "And from what you've told me, it sounds like Puma is thinking along those lines. They're not just offering you a sponsorship; they're offering you a partnership. That could be invaluable in the long run."
As they continued to discuss the pros and cons, Luka felt a sense of clarity washing over him. His father's perspective had helped him see the opportunity in a new light.
"So, what do you think I should do?" Luka asked finally.
His father chuckled. "That's not for me to decide, Luka. But I think you already know the answer. Trust your instincts. They've served you well so far."
Luka took a deep breath, feeling a sense of resolution. "I think... I think I want to go for it. The Puma deal feels right."
"Then there's your answer," his father said, pride evident in his voice. "Just remember, whatever you choose, give it your all."
As the call ended he picked up his phone again and dialed Jorge Mendes' number.
"Jorge," he said as soon as his agent answered. "I've made my decision. Let's move forward with Puma."
He could almost hear Jorge's smile through the phone. "Excellent choice, Luka. I'll start working on the details right away."
"One more thing," Luka added. "My father wants to be more involved in my career decisions moving forward. Can you work with him on that?"
"Of course," Jorge replied smoothly. "Family is important. We'll make sure he's in the loop."
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