Bench
He pulled out his phone, scrolling through the flood of notifications and tweets that had exploded since the match.
@FabrizioRomano: "Luka Zorić, remember the name. 17 years old and already making waves in the Bundesliga. What a talent Dortmund have unearthed!"
@GaryLineker: "That run by Zorić in the dying minutes of the Supercup was Messi-esque. Unbelievable skill and composure for someone so young."
@JanAageFjortoft: "How did scouts miss this kid?! Zorić is the real deal. That freekick against Neuer was world-class."
@honigstein: "Luka Zorić's stats after just 4 games for Dortmund: 4 goals, 6 assists. The Bundesliga has a new star."
@Squawka: "Luka Zorić has been directly involved in 10 goals in his first 4 games for Borussia Dortmund. No player in Bundesliga history has ever achieved this feat. Phenomenal."
@OptaJoe: "10 - Luka Zorić has been involved in 10 goals (4 goals, 6 assists) in his first 4 games for Borussia Dortmund, the most by any player in their first 4 games in Bundesliga history. Sensation."
The praise was overwhelming, but Luka knew he couldn't let it go to his head. He put his phone away and focused on the task at hand. He pulled up his stats on the gym's computer:
Overall Stats: Games: 4 Goals: 4 Assists: 6
DFL-Supercup: Games: 1 Goals: 1 Assists: 1
Bundesliga: Games: 2 Goals: 2 Assists: 3
DFB-Pokal: Games: 1 Goals: 1 Assists: 2
He was currently the top assister in the Bundesliga, an incredible achievement considering he had only played two league games. But Luka knew these were early days, and maintaining this form would be the real challenge.
As he began his workout, Luka's mind drifted back to that incredible run against Bayern. The way he had flicked the ball over Kimmich's head, nutmegged Goretzka, and left Upamecano wrong-footed - it was a moment of pure instinct and skill. But he also remembered the slight clip on his leg from Hernandez, and how he had exaggerated the contact to win the penalty.
That moment troubled him slightly. While it had helped secure the draw and take the game to penalties, Luka wondered if it was the right thing to do.
As he moved through his exercises, Luka's determination grew. He knew he had made a strong start, but this was just the beginning. The real test would be maintaining this form over a full season, handling the pressure of expectations, and continually improving his game.
He thought about the upcoming World Cup qualifiers with Croatia. The decision to represent his mother's homeland had felt right, but now he had to prove himself on the international stage. The thought both excited and nervous him.
Hours passed as Luka pushed himself through a grueling workout routine. He focused on improving his physical conditioning, knowing that the demands of professional football would only increase as the season progressed. He worked on his core strength, his explosiveness, and his endurance.
As Luka continued his intense workout, his muscles burned with each repetition, but he pushed through, knowing that this dedication would pay off on the pitch.
The days flew by, and soon it was time for the match against Hoffenheim. As Luka arrived at the stadium, a nagging question played on his mind: Would Rose revert to the diamond 4-4-2 formation again?
His question was answered as he found himself on the bench at kickoff. Luka tried to hide his disappointment, reminding himself that he was still young and had much to prove. He watched intently as the first half unfolded, analyzing the game and imagining how he could make an impact if given the chance.
The score remained deadlocked at 1-1 as the second half progressed. In the 69th minute, Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box. The stadium erupted, and Luka jumped to his feet, celebrating with his fellow substitutes.
As the clock ticked past the 80th minute, Luka heard his name called. Rose was switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation, and Luka was being brought on to play on the left wing. As he jogged onto the pitch, replacing Marco Reus, Luka felt a surge of adrenaline course through his veins.
The moment his feet touched the grass, Luka was in the zone. He received his first touch of the ball near the center circle, immediately spinning away from an onrushing Hoffenheim midfielder. With a burst of acceleration, he drove forward, the ball glued to his feet.
As he approached the final third, two Hoffenheim defenders converged on him. Without breaking stride, Luka executed a perfect elastico, leaving both defenders wrong-footed. The crowd gasped in appreciation, and even some of his teammates looked on in awe.
Now in space on the left flank, Luka whipped in a cross that just evaded Haaland's head. But he wasn't discouraged. Seconds later, he was back on the ball, this time dropping deep to help build the attack.
He drove forward, evading challenges with quick feints and changes of direction. As he reached the edge of the box, he unleashed a powerful shot that forced a spectacular save from the Hoffenheim keeper. The rebound fell to Bellingham, who narrowly missed the target.
In the 84th minute, Luka found himself near the corner flag, surrounded by three Hoffenheim players. Instead of panicking, a mischievous grin spread across his face. He began a series of lightning-quick stepovers, his feet a blur of motion. The defenders lunged and swiped, but Luka was always one step ahead.
He flicked the ball over the first defender's head, spun around the second, and nutmegged the third in quick succession. The crowd roared its approval, and even some of the Hoffenheim players couldn't help but shake their heads in grudging admiration.
One frustrated defender finally resorted to shoving Luka, sending him tumbling to the ground. Instead of complaining, Luka let out a hearty laugh as he bounced back to his feet, his enjoyment of the game evident for all to see.
In the 87th minute, Luka received the ball in midfield, he spotted Bellingham's run and played a perfectly weighted through ball that split the Hoffenheim defense. Bellingham was through on goal but was denied by a last-ditch tackle.
As the match entered its final minutes, Luka received the ball on the left wing once again. He glanced up, spotting Haaland making a run into the box. A defender was closing him down quickly, leaving little time for a conventional cross.
Without hesitation, Luka unleashed a perfectly executed rabona cross, the ball curling beautifully into the path of the Norwegian striker. Haaland, caught by surprise but quick to react, met the cross with a powerful header that bulged the back of the net.
The stadium exploded in celebration, Luka's teammates mobbing him in disbelief at the audacious assist. As they returned to their positions for the restart, Haaland gave Luka a playful punch on the arm, shaking his head in amazement.
But Luka wasn't done yet. In stoppage time, he received the ball near the halfway line. With Hoffenheim pushing for an equalizer, space had opened up. Luka seized the opportunity, embarking on a mazy run that saw him beat four defenders.
He approached the box at speed, feinted to shoot, leaving the last defender on the ground, and found himself one-on-one with the keeper. The crowd held its breath, expecting him to shoot. Instead, Luka calmly rolled the ball sideways to the unmarked Bellingham, who tapped into an empty net.
The stadium erupted once again, and this time it was Bellingham who ran to Luka, lifting him off his feet in celebration.
As the final whistle blew, sealing a 4-1 victory for Dortmund, Luka couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. In just 15 minutes of play, he had managed to provide two assists.
As he walked off the field, surrounded by cheering fans and congratulatory teammates, Luka's mind was already turning to the upcoming international break. He was eager to join up with the Croatian squad and prove himself on the world stage. But for now, he allowed himself to bask in the glow of another successful performance.
As Luka made his way through the mixed zone, he was bombarded with questions from journalists eager to get a soundbite from the rising star. "Luka, that rabona assist was incredible! Where did you learn to do that?" one reporter shouted. Luka smiled sheepishly, "Just something I thought about in the moment. Football is about having fun, right?"
As he made his way to the team bus, Luka's thoughts turned to the upcoming international break. The prospect of donning the iconic red and white checkered jersey of Croatia filled him with excitement . He would be following in the footsteps of giants - Šuker, Boban, Prosinečki, Modrić. The weight of expectation was immense, but so was the potential for glory.
The history of Croatian football was a tapestry of triumph and heartbreak. From the golden generation of the 1998 World Cup, where they stunned the world by finishing third in their first appearance as an independent nation, to the gut-wrenching defeat in the 2018 final against France, Croatia had always punched above its weight on the international stage.
Luka realized that he was now part of this rich legacy. As the team bus wound its way through the streets of Dortmund, he found himself lost in thought about the challenges that lay ahead. The World Cup qualifiers would be his first real test on the international stage. Could he live up to the hype? Would he be able to replicate his club form for his country?
His reverie was interrupted by a nudge from Jude Bellingham, who had taken the seat next to him. "Earth to Luka," Jude grinned. "Still thinking about that rabona?" Luka laughed, grateful for the distraction. "Just thinking about the international break," he admitted. "Bit nervous, to be honest."
Jude nodded understandingly. "I know the feeling, mate. But you'll smash it, I'm sure. Just play your game and enjoy it." The two spent the rest of the journey discussing their respective national teams, the pressure of representing their countries, and their dreams of World Cup glory.
<>
At Nike's global headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, a group of executives sat around a polished conference table, their eyes fixed on a large screen displaying highlights of Luka Zorić's recent performances.
"Gentlemen, what we're looking at here is potentially the next big thing in football," began Sarah Thompson, Nike's Head of Global Football Marketing. "Luka Zorić, 17 years old, already making waves in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund. His style, his flair, his marketability – it's off the charts."
Mark Chen, VP of Product Innovation, leaned forward. "That rabona assist against Hoffenheim was insane. The kid's got skills that remind me of a young Neymar or Cristiano. We need to get him on board, ASAP."
"Agreed," nodded John Peterson, Chief Financial Officer. "But what's the price tag we're looking at here? We need to be smart about this."
Sarah consulted her notes. "Jorge Mendes is his agent. You know how he operates – he'll be looking for a big payday. Initial discussions suggest they're thinking in the range of $10-20 million for a five-year deal."
A low whistle echoed around the room. "That's a lot for a 17-year-old," John remarked. "Are we sure he's worth that much?"
"Look at the numbers," Sarah countered. "In just five games for Dortmund, he's got 4 goals and 8 assists. His social media following has exploded – we're talking a 500% increase in the last month alone. The kid's got 'global superstar' written all over him."
"Plus," Mark added, "think about the product possibilities. We could design a whole line of boots around him. His playing style is perfect for showcasing our latest innovations."
"What about his international status?" asked Emma Rodriguez, Head of European Operations. "I heard there was some uncertainty about which country he'd represent."
Sarah nodded. "Good point. He's eligible for Croatia, England, and Portugal. But our sources say he's chosen Croatia. That's actually perfect for us – it's a market we've been looking to expand in, and with Croatia's recent World Cup success, Zorić could be the face of a new generation."
"Okay, so let's talk strategy," John said. "How do we make sure we land him before Adidas or Puma swoop in?"
"I've already had preliminary talks with Mendes," Sarah replied. "He's open to negotiation, but we need to move fast. I'm thinking we go in with an initial offer of $12 million for five years, with performance-based bonuses that could push it to $25 million."
"That's a lot of faith to put in a teenager," Emma cautioned. "What if he doesn't live up to the hype?"
"That's always a risk," Mark acknowledged. "But from what I'm seeing, this kid is the real deal. And remember, we're not just paying for his performance – we're paying for his image, his potential, his ability to sell products."
"Agreed," Sarah said. "And let's not forget, landing Zorić isn't just about him. It's about positioning ourselves for the future. He's friends with Jude Bellingham, Youssoufa Moukoko – this could be our in with the next generation of football superstars."
John nodded slowly. "Alright, I'm convinced. But let's be smart about this. I want clauses in the contract – behavior, performance, the works. We can't afford another PR disaster."
"Of course," Sarah agreed. "I'll have legal draw up a comprehensive contract. We'll protect ourselves, but we also need to make Zorić feel valued."
"What about the boot design?" Mark asked. "If we're going to make him the face of a new line, we need to start conceptualizing now."
"I've got some ideas," Sarah said, pulling up a series of sleek boot designs on the screen. "We're thinking of calling it the 'Zorić Z1' – a boot that emphasizes speed, agility, and ball control. Something that captures his playing style."
The room buzzed with excitement as they examined the designs. "I love it," Emma said. "It's fresh, it's bold – it's exactly what we need to shake up the market."
"Okay, so we're all in agreement?" John asked, looking around the room. "We go after Zorić with everything we've got?"
The executives nodded in unison.
"Alright then," John concluded. "Sarah, you take point on this. Set up a meeting with Mendes, fly out to Dortmund if you have to. I want Luka Zorić in Nike boots by the time he steps onto the pitch for Croatia."