Meetings
When game day finally arrived, Luka found himself seated among the reserves, watching the match against Cyprus from the sidelines. The stadium was electric, the Croatian fans in full voice, their passion reverberating through the stands. Despite not being able to play, Luka felt a swell of pride as he watched his teammates line up on the pitch.
The match started at a frantic pace, with Croatia immediately on the front foot. Luka leaned forward in his seat, his eyes fixed on the action. He found himself watching Modrić more than anyone else, studying the way the midfielder moved across the pitch.
Now that he was playing at this level, Luka could see the subtleties in Modrić's game that he hadn't noticed before when he was just a fan. It wasn't just his technical ability that stood out, but the way he constantly scanned the field, always aware of where his teammates and opponents were. Luka realized how little he did that in comparison. Modrić was always one step ahead, his vision allowing him to make quick, decisive passes.
And it wasn't just the scanning. Modrić's movement off the ball was something Luka hadn't truly appreciated before. He didn't just run into space; he drifted, pulling defenders out of position, creating gaps that his teammates could exploit. It was a masterclass in football intelligence, and Luka found himself taking mental notes.
He knew it wouldn't come in one day, but this was something he needed to work on. Scanning more frequently, being more aware of the pitch, and moving smarter—not just running hard.
These were the details that separated the good from the great.
The first half wore on, and Luka could sense the growing frustration among the fans as Croatia struggled to break through the Cypriot defense. But that changed in the 20th minute. Luka watched as Modrić received the ball in midfield, his head on a swivel as he assessed his options. In a split second, he threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the narrowest of gaps, straight into the path of Ivan Perišić.
Perišić didn't hesitate. He took one touch to control the ball before firing a left-footed shot past the goalkeeper. The stadium erupted as the ball hit the back of the net, and Luka found himself on his feet, cheering along with the fans.
"Perišić!" someone shouted behind him, and Luka turned to see a group of fans waving at him, grinning. "Nice pass from Modrić, eh?"
Luka nodded, giving them a thumbs-up. "Yeah, pure class."
The fans were quick to praise Luka too, shouting out encouragement and telling him how much they were looking forward to seeing him back on the pitch. Luka waved at them, appreciating their support, but his mind was already back on the game, watching every move Modrić made.
Croatia continued to dominate, and it wasn't long before they doubled their lead. This time it was Josko Gvardiol who got on the scoresheet, smashing a right-footed shot into the net after a scramble in the box. The Croatian bench erupted in celebration, and Luka couldn't help but grin at the sight of his compatriot's elation.
By the time Marko Livaja added a third goal in the second half, with an assist from Josip Brekalo, the game was well and truly over. Luka leaned back in his seat, satisfied with the performance, even if he hadn't been able to contribute on the pitch. He felt a sense of pride watching his teammates, knowing that they were one step closer to securing their place in the World Cup.
As the final whistle blew, Luka pulled out his phone, scrolling through Twitter to see the fans' reactions. His notifications were flooded with messages of support, with fans praising the team's performance and expressing their excitement for the next match. Luka couldn't help but smile as he scrolled through the comments, feeling the warmth of the Croatian supporters even from the sidelines.
"Zorić, you're next!" one fan had tweeted, along with a GIF of Luka celebrating one of his goals from the September qualifiers. The message was simple, but it resonated with Luka. He knew that the fans were counting on him, and he was determined not to let them down.
As the players made their way off the pitch, Luka lingered in the stands, watching Modrić as he exchanged shirts with one of the Cypriot players. The way Modrić carried himself, the respect he commanded—it was something Luka aspired to. But he also knew that he had his own path to carve out, his own identity to establish. Watching Modrić had given him plenty to think about, and he knew he had to start applying what he'd learned in training.
<>
The conference room at Nike's global headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, was filled with a sense of tension. The executives seated around the polished table wore expressions of frustration and determination in equal measure. It had been a month since their initial meeting about Luka Zorić, and despite their best efforts, they were no closer to signing him.
Sarah Thompson, Nike's Head of Global Football Marketing, stood at the head of the table, her laser pointer dancing across a series of graphs and statistics projected on the wall.
"Gentlemen, ladies," she began, "we find ourselves in an unprecedented situation. In the month since we last discussed Luka Zorić, his trajectory has not just continued – it has exploded."
She clicked to the next slide, which displayed Luka's latest statistics. The room fell silent as the executives absorbed the numbers.
"Fourteen games played across all competitions," Sarah continued, her voice gaining momentum. "Eleven goals. Thirteen assists. We're not just looking at a rising star anymore – we're witnessing the birth of a supernova."
Mark Chen, VP of Product Innovation, let out a low whistle. "Those numbers are insane. He's outperforming established stars twice his age."
"Exactly," Sarah nodded emphatically. "His performance in the World Cup qualifiers for Croatia was particularly noteworthy. Five goals and three assists in just three games. He's not just living up to the hype – he's redefining it."
John Peterson, the CFO, leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "This is all very impressive, Sarah, but it doesn't change the fact that we still haven't signed him. What's the holdup?"
Sarah's expression tightened. "Two words: Jorge Mendes. He's playing hardball like I've never seen before. Every time we think we're close to an agreement, he moves the goalposts."
"What are his demands now?" Emma Rodriguez, Head of European Operations, asked.
Sarah sighed, running a hand through her hair. "The latest figure he's thrown out is $30 million for a five-year deal. And that's just the base. With performance bonuses, we could be looking at upwards of $50 million."
A collective gasp went around the room.
"That's Neymar territory," John said, shaking his head. "For a 17-year-old?"
"I know it sounds crazy," Sarah conceded, "but given his trajectory, it might not be as outlandish as it seems. If he continues at this rate, he could be the face of football for the next decade."
Mark nodded slowly. "She's right. We need to think long-term here. This isn't just about the next five years – it's about securing our place in football for the next generation."
"What about direct contact with Luka?" Emma suggested. "Maybe if we could get to him directly, bypass Mendes..."
Sarah shook her head. "We've tried. Mendes has him locked down tight. Every attempt we've made to reach out to Luka directly has been rebuffed. Mendes is controlling every aspect of this negotiation."
The room fell silent for a moment, each executive lost in thought.
"What if," John began slowly, "we offer a shorter deal with a higher annual value? Say, $20 million for three years? It limits our long-term risk while still showing Luka how much we value him."
Sarah's eyes lit up. "That... that could work. It might appeal to Luka's desire for flexibility, and it could make Mendes more amenable if the annual value is higher."
As the Nike executives continued to brainstorm strategies, across the Atlantic, in a plush office in the heart of Herzogenaurach, Germany, another meeting was taking place.
The mood in the Puma headquarters was decidedly more somber. Björn Gulden, the CEO, sat at the head of the table, his face etched with concern as he addressed his team.
"Folks, I'm not going to sugarcoat this," he began, his voice gravelly with fatigue. "We're in trouble. Our market share in football is slipping, and we're falling further behind Nike and Adidas with each passing quarter."
He gestured to a graph on the screen behind him, which showed Puma's declining share of the football market over the past five years.
"The Neymar deal," he continued, "hasn't delivered the results we hoped for. His on-field performances have been inconsistent, and off-field issues have tarnished his brand value. We need a new strategy, and we need it fast."
Jonas Dössler, Head of Sports Marketing, cleared his throat. "What about Luka Zorić? He's the hottest property in football right now, and from what I've heard, he's not locked in with Nike or Adidas yet."
Björn's eyebrows shot up. "Zorić? The Croatian kid at Dortmund? What's the latest on him?"
Jonas leaned forward, excitement creeping into his voice. "He's been on fire, boss. Eleven goals and thirteen assists in just fourteen games. He's outperforming everyone in the Bundesliga, and he's only seventeen. Plus, he's got this flair, this style of play that's incredibly marketable."
"And he's not signed with anyone yet?" Björn asked, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"Not as far as we know," Jonas confirmed. "Word is, he's not particularly interested in Nike or Adidas. This could be our chance to land a genuine superstar, someone who could be the face of our brand for years to come."
Björn nodded slowly, his mind racing. "What would it take to get him?"
Jonas grimaced slightly. "It won't be cheap. His agent is Jorge Mendes, and he's reportedly asking for upwards of $30 million for a five-year deal."
A low murmur ran through the room.
"That's a lot of money," Björn mused, "but if he's as good as you say, it could be worth it. We need to think big here. We've been playing it safe for too long, and look where it's got us."
He stood up, pacing the room as he spoke. "Think about our history. When we signed Pelé back in '70, it changed everything for us. We need that kind of game-changing move again."
The room buzzed with renewed energy as the executives began to see the potential.
"Imagine," Björn continued, his voice rising with enthusiasm, "Luka Zorić as the face of Puma. Young, dynamic, incredibly skilled. We could build our entire football strategy around him. New boot lines, apparel, marketing campaigns – the works."
Jonas nodded eagerly. "And it's not just about his on-field performance. The kid's got charisma. He's multilingual, good-looking, active on social media. He could appeal to a whole new generation of football fans."
"What about approach?" asked Maria Länger, Head of Product Development. "If Mendes is involved, we need to be smart about this."
Björn thought for a moment. "We go in strong. No messing about. We offer the full $30 million, but we load it with performance bonuses. Make it clear that we're betting on his future. And we sell him on being the face of the brand. Not just another Nike or Adidas athlete, but the centerpiece of our entire football strategy."
The room hummed with excitement as the possibilities began to take shape.
"Maria," Björn continued, "I want concept designs for a Zorić signature boot line on my desk by the end of the week. Jonas, reach out to Mendes, set up a meeting. And someone get me everything we have on Luka – playing style, personality, interests, the works. If we're going to land this kid, we need to know him inside and out."