From Arsenal to the Ball God

On August 5th, Mendes’ vacation in Portugal ended, and he arrived in London, where he facilitated Ma’el’s official endorsement signing with Ferrari that evening.

The contract period is 3 years, with a total amount of 10.5 million Pounds. Ferrari, unlike Dior and Emirates Airline, did not readily increase the price, maintaining the endorsement fee at 3.5 million Pounds per year.

However, they showed their sincerity in the bonus contract, offering a full honor bonus clause similar to Dior’s.

”Ferrari’s philosophy is speed and passion, elegance and innovation. We always pursue high performance and aesthetics.”

The person in charge joked during the meal, ”Therefore, we will sign a player whose style matches ours, and we recognize his honors in the football world, willing to pay a high bonus for him.

”He can bring glory to this brand, and we are very happy to witness that scenario.”

Mendes raised a glass of red wine to toast, smiled, and nodded, ”Outstanding players and outstanding brands always align. I’m honored that my player has gained trust from many major brands.”

Ma’el took a cup of drink, gestured to the person in charge, and then took a sip.

He is the only footballer who has completed a signing with Ferrari; previously, Ronaldo was rumored to sign with this supercar brand, but the deal was ultimately unsuccessful.

As far as he knows, Ferrari’s latest signing was Fernando Alonso, a two-time F1 World Champion, while the brand’s global ambassador is Schumacher.

Forsaking another racing athlete for a footballer... sufficiently proves that everything he possesses now has been widely recognized by the cross-industry brand market.

After the signing ceremony, he and Mendes left the venue where the dinner was held.

The other party won’t make a swift payment; it will wait until his ’Maier Company’ is established to coordinate with the public account for the transfer.

This is not urgent; he temporarily doesn’t lack this money and will slowly wait for the process.

”They will deliver a brand new Ferrari 458 to you tomorrow or the day after as your signing gift.”

Mendes, riding in the business car home and to the hotel with him, added, ”Next March, they will launch a limited edition Ferrari LaFerrari; this car can also be pre-ordered for you.”

”LaFerrari?” Ma’el’s eyes lit up; he indeed had some interest in this car.

After signing with Ferrari, he has to reduce or even try not to use other brand cars, so when choosing a stylish high-end supercar, LaFerrari is definitely a great choice.

”Book one for me, tell them about it later.”

He proactively expressed his request, letting Mendes help him secure it.

”Okay.” Mendes nodded, then looked out the window, hesitated for a long time before saying, ”Ma’el, have you ever considered meeting with Florentino and Guardiola?

”I don’t mean anything else, nor am I suggesting anything to you, just asking.

”They have approached me many times. Sometimes, when I’m the only one negotiating upfront, I bear unbearable pressure and can’t genuinely solve the problem.”

It’s noticeable that he has been troubled by this for a long time, only because he made a previous agreement with Ma’el not to transfer, he has been bearing it.

A player’s transfer is the most serious transaction in the football world.

Sometimes it seems simple, but sometimes, especially when major teams decide to make a big trade, it can be quite complicated.

At those times, a straightforward refusal from Mendes doesn’t resolve it... Moreover, facing the helmsman of top teams, he must consider the impact, not appearing too cold.

Ma’el thought for a while, nodding in agreement, ”Alright, but it must be kept secret. I don’t want to see rumors in the media after the meeting is over.

”Just going for a meeting to politely dispel their thoughts, nothing more.”

”I understand.” Mendes breathed a sigh of relief, ”Just leave this to me, I will use all means to ensure those involved in this meeting voluntarily conceal this contact.”

Ma’el looked at the constantly passing buildings outside the window, deep in thought... Being invited by one of the world’s two best football people should be joyful, but now it became a little hassle.

Maybe as one slowly reaches higher heights, going through those initially idealized, glamorous events yields a completely different mindset.

”How about after the Community Shield Cup match?” He looked at Mendes, saying, ”I still have many endorsements and ads these days, with the championship game approaching, I don’t want to be distracted.”

Mendes approvingly raised his eyebrows, ”Very suitable, after all, the transfer window still has some time before closure.”

”Another thing,” Ma’el recalled something and consulted, ”You mentioned before that when a player reaches certain achievements, the main signing brand would make certain concessions; do you think I can do this now?”

Mendes tactically leaned back, knowing Ma’el was referring to Puma, ”I think you probably can; do you have new ideas?”

”Isabella plans to merge Primacy under the ’Maier’ company, I’m ready to take it over.”

Ma’el took a box of ice water from the car’s refrigerator, sipped it, and said, ”No name change, but it will be established as my personal brand, using all my likeness rights and influence to support it.

”Not just making clothes, slowly involving many other fields, like Ronaldo’s CR7.”

Mendes looked surprised, and he surely knew Isabella’s brand, ”If I remember correctly, her brand already has some fame in the British Isles, right? And it just merges with yours like that?”