Become A Football Legend

The rain had just begun to patter against the glass walls of the Sofitel in downtown Frankfurt when Lukas stepped into the private conference room, his father Javi at his side.

It was Saturday morning, a day before the game at Union, but for now his attention was for the contract with Puma.

Marco was already there, seated comfortably with a leather folder in front of him, his usual calm confidence radiating through the table. Across from them sat Lena, the Puma representative who had been handling negotiations from the brand's side.

The long mahogany table was neatly arranged — a stack of contracts at the center, fountain pens laid across the top, glasses of still water waiting untouched.

Lena rose as Lukas entered, extending her hand with a warm smile.

"Lukas. First of all, congratulations. That performance against Fenerbahçe… my phone didn't stop buzzing. 16 years old, first time starting on the wing in Europe, and you looked like you'd been there your whole life."

Lukas chuckled nervously, shifting in his chair. "I just tried to do my best. The team made it easier."

"Easier?" Javi laughed, giving his son a proud pat on the back. "You tore them apart. Mourinho couldn't stop you."

Lena nodded. "Exactly. You don't often see a kid handle that kind of pressure, in that kind of stadium. For us, it only confirms what we already knew — this partnership is going to be special."

Marco leaned back, voice smooth but deliberate. "Then let's make it official."

The four of them sat, and Lena slid the contract across. Marco had already briefed Lukas line by line, and the lawyers had combed through every clause: the €6 million guaranteed stipend, the €25,000 appearance bonus, the eight brand appearances per year. Nothing came as a surprise.

"Just signatures here, here, and here," Lena said, pointing with a manicured finger.

Lukas picked up the pen. His hand trembled slightly at first, but then he steadied himself and scrawled his name on each page. Javi watched closely, pride glowing in his eyes, before adding his own witness signature. With a final flourish, the Puma deal was sealed. Lena gathered the papers with care, slipping them back into her folder with a satisfied nod.

"Well," she said, "welcome officially to the Puma family."

There was a ripple of applause around the table. Marco shook Lena's hand firmly, while Javi pulled Lukas into a quick hug, whispering, "Luke, this is just the start."

Then Lena leaned forward, shifting back into business.

"Now, about media duties. We'd like to unveil Lukas during the upcoming international break. It's perfect timing — he hasn't been called up to the senior squad yet, just the U21s, so there's space in his schedule. We'll fly him to Herzogenaurach, to our headquarters. A clean launch: photos, some light media, campaign footage."

Her smile widened. "Nothing heavy. Just the beginning of a long journey."

Lukas nodded. "Sounds good. When exactly?"

"Next Thursday," Lena replied. "We'll coordinate flights and details directly with Marco."

Marco jotted a note, then looked up. "It's smart. The timing is perfect. Everyone's still talking about his game in Istanbul. Striking while the iron's hot is exactly the right move."

Lena turned back to Lukas. "Honestly, that goal and assist — plus man of the match — it's rare to see a teenager shine that brightly. You're sixteen, and already setting a standard that professionals twice your age can't meet. We know this will be good for Puma, Lukas. But for you — it's the start of something global."

Lukas smiled. "Then… let's make it big."

Even Marco cracked a satisfied grin. The paperwork was done, the deal sealed, and the boy who had just started his footballing career with a bang, was soon to be unveiled by Puma as one of its youngest global athletes.

* * *

The evening lights of Deutsche Bank Park shimmered against the clear March sky, the stadium buzzing as Eintracht Frankfurt prepared to host Union Berlin. On the broadcast, the familiar voices of commentator Martin Schneider and analyst Jürgen Baumann carried across living rooms across Germany.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," Schneider began, his tone warm but laced with anticipation. "It's Matchday 25 in the Bundesliga, and tonight from Frankfurt we bring you a fascinating clash between Eintracht and Union Berlin."

Baumann chimed in, leaning on his reputation for sharp tactical insight. "And already, Martin, we have a bombshell. Lukas Brandt — the teenage sensation, fresh off his man-of-the-match display in Istanbul — starts tonight on the bench."

Schneider let the words hang for a moment, allowing the disbelief to settle. "Yes, the 16-year-old who has taken Germany, maybe even Europe, by storm, won't be in the starting eleven. Dino Toppmöller opting for rotation."

"It makes sense," Baumann reasoned. "The boy has played so much football recently. You don't want to risk burning him out. And let's not forget — Thursday night is the second leg against Fenerbahçe. Frankfurt carry a two-goal advantage, but that tie is far from over. Toppmöller is saving his jewel for Europe."

Schneider nodded, but his tone carried a note of caution. "At the same time, Frankfurt are third in the Bundesliga. Their position is not untouchable. Mainz and Freiburg are breathing down their necks, and Union Berlin are no pushovers. Steffen Baumgart's side are organized, physical, and always capable of making life uncomfortable. But a win today would push Toppmöller's side tied on points with Leverkusen after their loss to Bremen yesterday."

"Yes, I'm sure all of these would be playing in the back of Toppmöller's mind as he juggles his league standing and the Europa League run."

The camera panned to the Frankfurt bench, catching Lukas sitting with his bib on, his face unreadable under the stadium lights. He leaned back slightly, arms crossed, staring at the pitch as though lost in thought.

Earlier that day, when Toppmöller quietly told him he'd be starting from the bench, a pang of disappointment had settled in his chest. He hated not being out there from the first whistle. But he understood. His coach wasn't punishing him — he was protecting him, preserving him for the battles ahead.

"And we're set for kick-off in Frankfurt! A huge Bundesliga clash here at Deutsche Bank Park, Eintracht Frankfurt against Union Berlin. Let's get straight into the lineups!

Starting with the home side, Eintracht Frankfurt, lining up tonight in a 4-2-3-1!

In goal, the captain — Trapp!

The back four, from right to left: Kristensen, Collins, Tuta, and Brown!

Sitting in midfield, the double pivot: Larsson alongside Højlund!

Ahead of them in the attacking three, on the left it's Bahoya, in the center Uzun — and normally this is exactly where the 16-year-old prodigy Lukas would take charge, but with him missing tonight, it's Uzun who carries that creative burden — and over on the right, Chaibi!

Leading the line up top, it's the experienced finisher, Batshuayi starting in place of Ekitike on the bench tonight too.

And now for the visitors, Union Berlin, setting up in a 3-4-1-2!

Between the sticks, the ever-reliable Rønnow!

The back three, Leite, Querfeld, and Doekhi!

Across the midfield, Juranovic, Khedira, Haberer, and the skipper Trimmel!

Just in behind the forwards, Tousart in that number 10 role!

And leading the line tonight, the partnership of Ilic and Skarke!

A cracking atmosphere here, the fans are ready, the stage is set — Frankfurt versus Union, it's going to be a battle!

Jürgen, looking at this starting lineups, what do you think about Unions prospects in this game?"

"Well, Martin, I think this isn't Frankfurt's strongest starting lineup. So there is a strong case to be made for Unions chances.

But I think it's gonna be nigh impossible to beat a Frankfurt side in such a good form at their backyard.

I think Union will mount a resistance, yes, especially in the early stages of the game, but I think Frankfurt will snatch the win in 90 minutes.

And if after 60 or so minutes, it looks like that won't be the case, you can expect Toppmöller to bring in all his big hitters especially Brandt and Ekitike and that would definitely put this game to bed."

"Yes, thank you, Jürgen. That is a view I share. I think it'll be tough to beat this Eintracht team here even for Union. Ohh— Watch this!"

As the commentators spoke, Eintracht almost took the lead in the first as a cross from Chaibi fizzed in from the left with Bahoya's header just wide off the mark.

"Ohh! So close. Expect this pressure for the rest of the game," the commentator said as the fans applauded the effort.

In the stands, the lens lingered briefly on a family near the halfway line. A boy, maybe nine years old, wore the number 49 shirt, Brandt stretched proudly across the back. Tugging at his father's sleeve as the players walked out the tunnel, he asked, voice high and puzzled. "Papa, why isn't Lukas playing?"

His father smiled, ruffling his son's hair as the roar of the crowd swelled.

"Don't worry, Junge. He'll come on. Players like him always do."

The boy grinned and held his scarf higher, reassured. At this point they couldn't tell just how much they would end up needing Lukas in this game.