Become A Football Legend

"So he's really gonna leave? Well, I guess there's no way they'd turn down Man City. And from a business point of view, it's a perfect time to sell a player whom they got as a free agent less than two years ago. Possibly €75M of pure profit from sales. It's great for the accounting books."

He had spoken with Timmo Hardung the previous day, who told him that the sale of Marmoush was very likely. So he was already thinking of how to set up the team without arguably the best player in the squad.

Marmoush was crucial to the team because of his versatility. He could play as a winger or more centrally as the lead striker. He was comfortable with the ball at his feet and could pick out teammates from deep when needed. He could also strike a mean free kick when he was in the mood.

"I can play Ansgar with Ekitike up top... Or Götze and Ekitike... Or just a single center forward with one midfielder joining him up there when we are in attack. But who would it be? Ansgar is better on the wings. Mario... Mario might not be able to last more than 60 minutes with the kind of play I want..." As Topmöller sat in deep thought, drawing, adjusting, and erasing game plans inside his head, his eyes lit up.

"How could I forget about him?" he thought, as his eyes shot to Lukas who was scribbling something down on a Samsung tablet he had on his lap while occasionally glancing at the pitch.

"He's still very young, but he doesn't play like it. I don't know if his body would be able to withstand the toll that position would take on him, though."

In the medical tests the club ran on Lukas a few months ago, the results came back showing that he was in fantastic condition for someone his age. But Topmöller still had some reservations because Lukas was still in his rapid growth phase, physically.

There were already cautionary tales like Moukoko, who was rushed into the Dortmund first team after turning 16 but couldn't adapt to the league with his still-developing body. Injuries followed, and his form dropped dramatically for a player once hailed as a generational talent.

On the other hand, one of the best players in the world right now was a 17-year-old kid who put on a masterclass performance in the European Championship when he was still 16. However, unlike Moukoko, Yamal's story was still just beginning. There was no telling how long it would take before the number of games and tackles he received as a growing kid starts affecting his performances.

"One horrible injury is all it usually takes," Topmöller thought as he stared at Lukas and gently shook his head. "If only he was two ye— no, just a year older. If only he was a year older, it would have been a lot better."

"Alright boys, that's it for today. No playing about today. Go home, rest; we'll meet here at 10AM tomorrow to have the last session before the game. If you're a minute late, you're off the matchday squad," Topmöller concluded as the players left the tactical room.

A few of them walked with Marmoush. They had all seen the posts from Fabrizio Romano and Plettigoal reporting that the move was nearly done.

They were all professionals, so there was not much questioning going on, just silent nods of approval and hugs that lasted a bit longer than usual. He had only been with the team for a short period, but he had won everyone's heart.

Lukas shook hands with Marmoush and a few other players. "You're heading back to Darmstadt now?" Larsson asked as he shook Lukas.

"Nah, I'm moving here. The club gave me a place at the complex."

"What about school?"

"Moving here too. Carl-von-Weinberg-Schule."

"Oh! I've heard of it. It's a nice school."

Once he made his Bundesliga debut, Lukas knew he couldn't juggle first-team training and the long daily commute from Darmstadt anymore. Following a conversation with Javi and assistant coach Buck, they agreed it would be best for him to move into the camp.

The club offered him a spot at the ProfiCamp — and with that came a transfer to Carl-von-Weinberg-Schule, Eintracht Frankfurt's partner school for elite athletes. For the first time, football and school wouldn't be fighting each other. They'd finally be on the same team.

As Lukas stepped into his small apartment on the third floor of one of the dormitory complexes in the ProfiCamp, he took a deep breath, then sprawled out on the couch.

It was a one-bedroom apartment with a sitting room, a kitchen, and a bathroom—specifically made for just one person.

The cleaning staff had everything cleaned and neatly arranged a day ago and the apartment had a nice minty scent.

In the living room were two small red-and-white sofas — a color theme that ran through every corner of the apartment. A burgundy center table, which looked like it was made from high-end wood, stood between them. The neat white walls were complemented by red curtains over the windows. A Samsung TV hung on the opposite wall — currently turned off.

KNOCK KNOCK

Lukas headed to the door when someone knocked. He glanced at the Ring camera feed to see who it was. With a smile, he undid the lock and opened the door.

"Lukeyy!" Javi screamed as he hugged his son tight, right there at the entrance of the apartment.

"Dad, you're gonna suffocate me. Come in," Lukas said as he forced himself into the apartment pulling Javi with him.

"Ohhh!! See how strong you've gotte, son. Wait a minute, I got your luggage right here," Javi said as he let Lukas go and walked back to roll in two suitcases filled with items Lukas would need.

"Just let me know if you need anything else. I can bring it to you, or you can buy it yourself. Here, take this," Javi said, handing Lukas a Commerzbank debit card. "It's got about 5% of your signing bonus the club sent to my account. Use it wisely."

"I will, Dad."

"What do you want to do with the rest? We also haven't talked about your salary. That'll be a lot of money... Do you have any idea what you wanna do with it?"

"Hmm... I do have some ideas... But not for now... Just put the money in a savings account with the bank. I'll let you know what the idea is when it's time."

"Okay. It's yours anyway. As long as it's not something too risky or illegal, you can do whatever you want with it. I'll keep it together with your salary in the bank and send you an allowance when you run out."

"Thanks, Dad."

After about half an hour of talking, "I better leave you to rest," Javi said as he got up to leave.

"Be safe, Dad."

"You too, Luke. I'll see you tomorrow at the game. I'm so proud of you, son."

"Thanks, Dad."

They bid farewell as Lukas walked Javi to the door and then closed it behind him.

DING*

His phone chimed just as he sat down. He smiled broadly as he looked at the message.

Jo: "I will be at the game tomorrow whether you invite me or not."

Lukas: "Jo, don't be like that. We already agreed you'd come."

Jo: "Whatever."

Lukas: "I can already imagine you rolling your eyes rn."

Jo: sent photo

Lukas opened the photo Joanna sent. It was of her lying on the bed in her pajamas, slightly biting her bottom lip and rolling her eyes. The caption read: "Now you don't have to imagine it anymore."

Lukas: "Goodnight... You're gonna land me in trouble if this conversation continues."

Jo: "Come back here boy, I don't bite."

Lukas: "Yeah you do. I still have the injury from the last time."

Jo: "I'll give you another one after the match tomorrow."

Lukas: "Goodnight, Jo. I'm gonna be up all night if we keep talking. I have to wake up early tomorrow.

Jo: " Alright, I'll have mercy on you tonight. Sweet dreams ♡"

* * *

A/N: As you can all see from the title, this chapter is sponsored by a gift. Thank you so much Gerald_Ikem for the dragon. The second bonus chapter will be released in a few hours time. Everybody go hug your partner, felt lonely asf as I wrote this ༎ຶ⁠‿⁠༎ຶ