From Arsenal to the Ball God

Mr. Mendes didn’t have any regrets. After nodding, he didn’t say much more and took a walk around the factory with Isabella. After talking for a while, he realized this girl had a maturity beyond her years.

She must have received a good education... had many chances to make mistakes from a young age, yes, she can afford the endorsement fee.

”I figured it out early.”

Isabella led the two towards her office, logically explaining her motivation: ”If I’m going to create a sports brand and use Sheffield City as a pilot market, then gradually expand across All England.

”Then the best person for me would be a football star who plays in Sheffield City, so my target is obvious.

”Ma’el.” She turned her head to Ma’el with a smile, her beautiful eyes full of appreciation.

The three of them quickly arrived at an office where a prepared contract was laid on the table, seemingly ready to be signed here before heading to the city center for shoots and other processes.

”A short one-year contract.”

Isabella picked up the contract and placed it in front of the two, ”Endorsement fee of 400,000 pounds, paid in one go. The player needs to complete a standard photoshoot, two commercial shoots, and four promotional events.

”Don’t worry, it’s very simple. If everything goes smoothly, we can finish it by this afternoon. The promotion is also easy; just post the prepared photos and ad words on your social media.

”I’ve discussed all of this with Mr. Mendes, if everything’s okay, just sign it.”

Mendes picked up the contract and reviewed it carefully. After a while, he looked up, ”This is the simplest signing ceremony I’ve ever experienced, but still, happy cooperation.”

”Happy cooperation.”

The three signed the contract, and after signing, they walked towards the factory entrance, preparing to head to the city center for the shoot.

”Ma’el.”

Before they left, Isabella called out to Ma’el, taking out her iPhone 4, ”Let’s take a photo together in front of my car.”

Ma’el couldn’t figure out what she was up to, but he still stepped forward, standing by her side.

Isabella raised her phone, leaning slightly towards Ma’el, smiled brightly at him, then turned her gaze to the camera.

She tapped the screen ceaselessly, taking about seven or eight shots before stopping, waving goodbye to Ma’el, ”I might drive a bit fast, I’ll wait for you at the agreed place.”

”Alright.”

Ma’el waved back at her. He felt a bit bewildered by the whole signing ceremony, feeling it was a bit hasty, but thankfully, it was signed.

Now, he just hoped the lovely Isabella would promptly transfer the money to his bank account...

......

Throughout the entire noon, Ma’el was at the photoshoot location, taking many photos according to the requirements, holding samples, and wearing several outfits.

The clothes were of good quality, uniquely designed, with definite selling points, which made him feel somewhat reassured about Isabella.

Though young, her business skills might be exceptional... come to think of it, she must be, otherwise, she wouldn’t have had such a keen eye to find someone for endorsement at the startup stage.

At one in the afternoon, he, along with Isabella, arrived at a studio to shoot a commercial, finding the experience quite novel.

But due to inexperience, it took several takes to get it right, wasting quite a bit of time.

By the time everything was done, it was already past four. After discussing with Mendes, they decided to head to London today to finalize things there too, avoiding future delays.

”I hope my clothes sell well.”

Before parting, Isabella shook hands with Ma’el and gave him a gentle hug, aspiring, ”If we’re really successful in Sheffield City, and it slowly spreads across All England thanks to you, I’ll be sure to give you a big bonus.

”Don’t worry, generosity is a long-standing tradition in my family. I aim to be as magnanimous as my father was since I was a kid.”

”Haha,” Ma’el chuckled, having a positive impression of Isabella after a day of collaboration, ”I’m looking forward to it too. I wish your sports brand great success, keep it up.”

”Keep it up!” Isabella blinked playfully, clenched her fist, and finally waved goodbye to Ma’el.

......

In the evening, Ma’el and Mendes arrived in London, heading to the headquarters of a sports drink brand.

This endorsement was also a short one-year contract, but the fee was only about 250,000 pounds, which might reflect Ma’el’s current market value, as the Sheffield City offer was clearly higher.

As for the reason, Ma’el guessed it might be due to his influence in the city, which could help sell plenty of clothes for her in Sheffield.

But... although the endorsement fee was less, the process wasn’t any shorter.

In terms of formality and professionalism, they were noticeably better than Isabella’s clothing factory, making them seem more like the 400,000-pound brand.

When they finished here, it was already eleven at night.

Feeling a bit tired, Ma’el returned to the hotel with Mendes, each opening a room and quickly falling asleep.

Overall, today’s experience was pretty good, indeed helping him gain plenty of experience in this area, making him more confident facing big brands in the future.

The next day, Ma’el and Mendes parted ways at the airport, as their destinations were different.

At the moment of parting, they felt a bit sentimental, having gradually felt like old friends through multiple interactions.

”There will be many times like this in the future; that’s how it is for players and agents.”

Mendes grinned, lightly traveling with his briefcase, ”A very easy 650,000 pounds, I hope this motivates you to progress faster, and in the future, make a few million or even tens of millions of pounds just as easily.

”Endorsements are much easier than a dead salary; you just have to shoot some commercials and show up to receive generous compensation.”

”I will.”

Having rested well, Ma’el felt refreshed, ”So I’ll go first, the plane is arriving soon.”

”Alright.”

Mendes waved at him, estimating the time, and finally said, ”See you in London next time, I’ve left you a surprise, you’ll know when you get to Sheffield.”

Ma’el nodded, smiling as he waved goodbye and headed towards the boarding gate, flying back to Sheffield City.

Upon arrival in the city, he didn’t head straight home, instead heading to an ATM. Upon inserting his card, he wanted to check how much he had in his account.

[1,723,122.49]

Seeing this number, Ma’el sighed in relief, but then he realized something was off.

During this period, his post-tax salary should have been around 240,000 pounds. Adding the bonus clauses, including 40+ goals and 50+ goals, which accounted for 360,000 pounds, after removing wages paid to Halisafina, rent, and other miscellaneous expenses...

His savings should have been around 1,330,000 pounds.

These two endorsement fees, which he calculated before, should total 331,000 pounds, so it should have been 1,660,000 pounds in total, yet it was 60,000 pounds more.

Suddenly, he remembered what Mendes said before he got into the car, and figured it out.

Did Mendes not take a cut?

Did he really give it to him?

He took out his phone, wanting to call Mendes to ask. He actually didn’t need that 60,000 pounds, as he had been joking then.

Yet as soon as he opened his phone, he saw many messages from Mendes pop up.

—”It’s hard at the start, you need the money. Don’t call, don’t text, just take it, and best of luck.”

—”Next time it won’t be like this, don’t think you can escape from that 15% cut again, hahaha!”

Ma’el put down his phone, feeling touched. Finally, he withdrew his card and headed home.