From Arsenal to the Ball God

However, if it’s just these terms, it certainly won’t impress Mendes.

Sports brands, being one of the most important and largest sponsors for players, must be chosen carefully, especially with a contract term of 5 years.

Once a player endorses a brand, they can’t endorse or interact with other sports brands, or they will face hefty non-compete penalty fines.

Even if they wear other brand’s sneakers in their daily life or casual clothing from other brands... it can be magnified by the media, creating all sorts of rumors.

”Bonus stacking.”

Mendes, looking invigorated, explained to Ma’el while climbing the stairs: ”Puma has set up a bonus stacking clause based on the league you’re currently in.

”For example, this year, being your first year as their ambassador, aside from the £850,000 endorsement fee, you also received a £1,150,000 bonus.

”So starting next year, your base endorsement fee will rise to £2 million, and it can continue to stack next year.”

”So, what you’re saying is,” Ma’el understood him, and said, ”if I perform well, the base endorsement fee in subsequent years could be a very terrifying figure?”

Mendes nodded and smiled, ”Yes, and there’s only accumulation, no type of downgrading deal. Puma is very sincere.”

”Not bad, but why is Puma willing to offer such a generous contract?” Ma’el nodded in satisfaction and then asked.

”It’s simple.”

Mendes stopped with Ma’el at the doorway of the Puma English Championship Branch General Manager’s office, whispered: ”The pressure from Nike and Adidas is too great for them, both companies have a flagship football star.

”And they, for now, don’t have one... Finding the next Messi, the next Ronaldo is their top priority.

”Over the years, they have offered similar contracts to quite a few young players.”

Ma’el fully understood and joked, ”If I become Puma’s leading star player, would you feel conflicted for Ronaldo?”

”Hahaha...”

Mendes laughed heartily, thought for a moment, then joked, ”If you were Leonardo’s agent, would you mind also being Brad Pitt’s agent?”

”But Brad Pitt is American.” Ma’el pointed out the nationality issue. These two movie stars are both American, a situation different from him and Ronaldo.

”You’ve thought it through.”

Mendes praised, also buying himself some time to think of an answer.

This wasn’t an easy question to answer; he could sense the power within Ma’el and his ambition; he didn’t just want to be a star, he wanted to be the best.

”Okay.”

Mendes finally spread his hands and raised his eyebrows, smiling: ”I must admit, as a Portuguese, my love for Cristiano surpasses all, without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

”It’s a rare and precious sentiment, the biggest fortune of my life.

”But, relationships are relationships. Integrity and career are my foundation, the two things Mendes needs most to exist in this world.

”If you’re concerned that I might act unfairly or show any favoritism in the future, I would immediately pay the breach penalty to end our cooperation and apologize to you.”

He smiled sincerely, ”But to think, if that day truly comes, it would indeed be a happy trouble.”

”I’m good at creating happy troubles for people because I often work with the best.”

Ma’el smiled slightly, finally looking at Mendes’ face, earnestly said, ”Don’t worry, just kidding, I won’t create happy troubles for you.”

Mendes was momentarily stunned, his words left him puzzled. Surely, he wasn’t saying he wouldn’t compete for those awards... Could it be that?

His expression turned serious; Ma’el surely meant... when he officially contends for the best, he would appear on the center stage in a crushing state, winning those personal honors?

This young player’s ambition is even bigger than he imagined!

”Please, come in.”

Mendes pointed inside with his hand, squeezed a smile: ”Now, it’s time to hear about Puma’s bonus clauses, you’re definitely very interested.”

”Of course.” Ma’el pushed open the office door and walked in first.

......

ps: Received news of my grandmother’s passing at noon, heartbroken, forced myself to write 13,000 words on an empty stomach, and heading back to my hometown now.

In the next 2-3 days, updates will be reduced to two chapters around 6,000 words, approximately 13,000 words.

Please don’t leave or put the book on hold, understand, from the beginning of next month, daily updates will resume to 20,000 words.

Today’s 13,000, already 405,000 words this month.