Chapter 76: Endorsements
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The locker room was filled with the sound of celebration as the England team reveled in their qualification for the next stage of the World Cup. Some players were dancing, others were playing music, and the atmosphere was electric.
"We're in! We're in!" the players chanted, their energy contagious.
Sturridge, despite being scolded by Gerrard during the match and substituted early by the coach, didn't let that dampen his spirits. He started dancing his signature robotic moves in the middle of the room. He quickly pulled Sterling and Vardy into his impromptu dance party, and despite their initial reluctance, they joined in.
The room erupted with laughter and cheers as the players celebrated their success. Just as the celebrations reached a fever pitch, England manager Hodgson walked in with a smile, calling for attention.
"Hey, pause for a second, Beatles," he said, referring to their current antics. "We've got an old friend here who wants to say hello to everyone."
The door opened, and in walked none other than David Beckham.
[I turned down the glaze but even then this shit is crazy, the author is acting like Beckham is the Messi or Ronaldo of England like bro get off his dick. I can't wait until the MC finishes his first season in the Premier League by then I could stop all the comparisons and Beckham glazing.]
"David! Why are you here?" Gerrard and Lampard were the first to greet Beckham, their long-standing friendship evident as they embraced him.
As Beckham shook hands with each player, When it was finally Tristan's turn, he stood up and offered his hand. Beckham smiled warmly, pulling Tristan into a friendly hug.
"Finally! We meet!" Tristan couldn't help but beam.
"Hey man, I saw your performance from the stands. Unbelievable. I thought you were going to send that ball into the penalty area," Beckham remarked with a grin.
"Haha, I thought so too, but when I saw Steven outside the penalty area, I made the call to pass it to him."
"Your decision turned out to be key to helping the team win!" Beckham praised, before patting Tristan on the back.
"Thanks, I really appreciate it," Tristan replied, still in a little awe.
Before Beckham left, he took a moment to chat with the team, take a group photo, and, in an unexpected but delightful gesture, left his contact information with Tristan. He even joked about meeting up for tea next time they were both free—a nice, gesture that Tristan appreciated greatly.
As Beckham left the locker room, Vardy couldn't resist teasing Tristan. "So, how does it feel, 'new Beckham'? Getting to meet David himself?"
Tristan paused dramatically, pretending to think deeply before answering with a smile, "It's unreal... but really, I'm just happy!"
Later that evening, Beckham shared a photo with the Three Lions on his social media, with the caption:
"What a great game! Steven scored, Wayne, congratulations on your first goal! And Tristan's pass was absolutely brilliant! Come on, Lions!"
Ronaldinho, a true football legend, also shared his admiration for Tristan on social media:
"England's No.22 is a genius! His passes are a joy to watch."
This endorsement from such a footballing legend was a massive deal, and as always, the British media were quick to capitalize on the opportunity. Newspapers like The Guardian, The Mirror, The Independent, The Times, and many others rushed to feature Tristan's photo on their sports pages, often as the front-page cover.
"A rising supernova!"
These headlines were just a glimpse of the barrage of praise that Tristan received. He was being elevated to superstar status by the press.
It was clear: Tristan Hale had arrived.
Thanks to his stellar World Cup performance, Tristan was reaping massive rewards. His fame, popularity, influence, and commercial value were all shooting through the roof, like a rocket in full flight. Fans from all corners of the globe, many of whom had never heard of him before, now knew the name of this 19-year-old English prodigy.
It was undeniable: Tristan had reached the turning point, the moment when he transitioned from an ordinary player to a full-fledged star.
That night, back at the hotel, Tristan received another call from his agent, Jorge Mendes.
"Tristan, congratulations on making it through the group stage, and on winning the man of the match award," Mendes said, his voice brimming with excitement.
"Thanks, Jorge." Tristan replied.
"I've got some great news for you. Do you want to hear it?"
"Yeah."
"Nike, Adidas, and Puma have all upped their offers after seeing your performance," Mendes continued. "Nike and Adidas are offering £800,000 a year for sponsorship and a £200,000 signing fee each."
"Puma, however, is going above and beyond. They're offering £1.2 million a year and a £300,000 signing fee."
Though £1.2 million may not seem like a massive figure compared to top-tier players, it was still a remarkable sum for a young player like Tristan, who hadn't even played in the Premier League yet. This offer was double his annual salary at Leicester City.
Among the three, Puma's offer stood out as the most generous, but there was a reason behind that. Puma, though respected, still lagged behind Nike and Adidas in terms of global influence. They were hoping a more attractive deal would lure Tristan away from the two sports giants.
Regardless of which brand Tristan ultimately signed with, he was already on his way to becoming a multi-millionaire at the age of 19.
Still, before making a decision, Tristan wanted to hear from his trusted agent.
"Jorge, what do you think?"
Mendes' response was straightforward:
"I think this offer is fantastic for a 19-year-old player who's already cemented his place as a key midfielder for the England national team."
"Don't forget, Wayne Rooney's sponsorship deal with Nike is worth £1.4 million a year, and he's 29, on the decline. You, on the other hand, are younger, have more potential, and your appearance and marketability are through the roof."
Tristan couldn't help but chuckle at that. In essence, compared to Rooney, he was younger, more promising, better looking, and had a far higher commercial value. And that was no exaggeration.
One was a seasoned England star, nearing the end of his prime, while the other was a 19-year-old superstar in the making. It was clear which one had the greater future value.
Raising an eyebrow, Tristan asked, "So, you think I should reject the offer?"
"No, not at all," Mendes responded quickly. "Just like before, let's hold off for now. If you perform well against Colombia and help England reach the quarterfinals, I'm sure Nike and Adidas will come back with an even bigger offer."
"I see."
"Of course, aside from the sports brands, I've also received numerous offers for other commercial endorsements," Mendes added.
Tristan's growing influence on social media had skyrocketed in the past few months. In this new age of instant connectivity, the younger generation spent more time on their phones, interacting with each other and following their favorite stars online.
Tristan had amassed millions of followers across various platforms in just six months, surpassing even some of the most well-known England internationals and Premier League players.
This was no small feat, and it gave him a unique edge among young talents.
The World Cup performance had only magnified his influence, pushing him into the global spotlight. Now, everyone knew who Tristan was, and his commercial value had reached new heights.
In short, the World Cup had solidified Tristan as one of the most marketable young athletes in England. His blend of talent, marketability, and the undeniable star power he was beginning to show had made him a sought-after commodity, both on and off the pitch.
The following day, photos from Tristan's game were plastered across the covers of major media outlets. Despite Wayne Rooney scoring his first-ever World Cup goal in this match, it was Tristan who stole the spotlight.
In a performance that left the world in awe, Tristan first delivered a brilliantly deceptive pass to set up Gerrard for a strike into the Costa Rican net. Later, he orchestrated another play, launching a perfectly timed lob to set up Vardy for a penalty, which eventually allowed Rooney to net his inaugural World Cup goal. It was clear that this 19-year-old, who had yet to make his Premier League debut, was dominating the stage, winning over even the harshest critics among English fans and the media.
Throughout the group stage, Tristan's stats were nothing short of remarkable: one goal and two assists across three matches—averaging a goal contribution per game. His efficiency was off the charts.
With an impressive average rating of 7.8 per game, his performances rivaled the likes of Messi, Muller, and Robben. The Times even suggested that FIFA should seriously consider awarding Tristan the prestigious World Cup Best Newcomer Award, an honor given to the most outstanding player aged 21 or younger in the tournament. While the official candidates wouldn't be announced until after the semi-finals, many fans, especially those in England and across the globe, already viewed Tristan as the frontrunner for the title, considering his spectacular display in the group stage.
No player aged 19 had performed better in this World Cup—Tristan's ascent was meteoric.
However, despite his dazzling performances, Tristan wasn't the only breakout star. Colombia, England's upcoming quarter-final opponent, boasted a young talent in James Rodriguez, also shining brightly. The Colombian midfielder was central to his team's attacking force. With three goals and two assists in the group stage, Rodriguez outshone Tristan in terms of raw statistics, leading Colombia to the top spot in Group C.
Rodriguez had been a sensation ever since his €45 million move from Porto to Monaco. His first Ligue 1 season had been a whirlwind, with 10 goals and 12 assists, helping Monaco secure the runner-up spot in the league. His incredible form continued on the international stage in the World Cup, cementing his place as one of the tournament's brightest stars.
Both Rodriguez and Tristan shared the same agent—Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes—which further added intrigue to their looming encounter. The two young players, both positioned as attacking midfielders for their respective national teams, were set to clash in what would be a defining moment for both of their careers.
As the quarterfinals loomed, the media began to hype up the matchup between the rising stars of world football. The upcoming showdown at Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracanã Stadium would be much the match to watch.
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I'm so exhausted, god damn, stay safe and hope everyone has a good day, peace.