Chapter 285: Building An Empire - FOOTBALL! LEGENDARY PLAYER - NovelsTime

FOOTBALL! LEGENDARY PLAYER

Chapter 285: Building An Empire

Author: Malinote
updatedAt: 2025-09-22

The morning after the NEC Nijmegen victory found Amani in his dorm, surrounded by financial documents and investment reports that painted a picture of remarkable success for someone barely seventeen years old. The October rain drummed against the windows as he reviewed the latest updates from his portfolio, each number representing not just personal wealth but the foundation for long-term charitable commitments that extended far beyond his football career.

Sophia arrived at precisely nine o'clock, her punctuality one of the many qualities that had made their professional relationship so effective. She carried her usual leather briefcase, but today it seemed heavier than usual, packed with documents that would reshape the structure of Amani's rapidly expanding business interests.

"Good morning, Amani," she said, settling into the chair across from his dining table that had become their informal boardroom. "I hope you're ready for some significant decisions today. Your portfolio has reached a point where we need to consider more sophisticated management structures."

The numbers she presented were staggering, even by the standards they had become accustomed to over the past months. His Bitcoin holdings had increased by another 47% in October alone, while his Tesla position had grown by 23% as the company continued to revolutionize the automotive industry. The total portfolio value now stood at €387,000, generating monthly passive income of €18,400.

Investment Portfolio Analysis - October 2013

Bitcoin Holdings: €127,000 (Entry: €5,000)

Tesla Stock: €89,000 (Entry: €10,000)

Amazon Position: €67,000 (Entry: €15,000)

Apple Shares: €54,000 (Entry: €12,000)

Google Stock: €50,000 (Entry: €8,000)

Total Value: €387,000

Monthly Passive Income: €18,400

"The growth rate is exceptional," Sophia continued, her voice carrying a mixture of pride and concern. "But with success comes complexity. We're receiving inquiries from major financial institutions wanting to manage your wealth, and the agent pressure has intensified significantly since your Europa League performances."

The agent situation had indeed become relentless. Jorge Mendes had increased his offers to include a €750,000 signing bonus, while CAA Sports had proposed a comprehensive package that included Hollywood representation and American endorsement opportunities. Elite African Sports Management had flown representatives from London three times in the past month, each visit accompanied by increasingly elaborate presentations.

"They're not just calling anymore," Amani observed, scrolling through his phone to show Sophia the dozens of missed calls and messages. "Yesterday, someone from Gestifute was waiting outside the university. The day before, a CAA representative tried to approach me at the training ground."

Sophia's expression grew serious. "This is exactly why we need to expand our team. I'm excellent at financial management and contract negotiation, but we need someone who can handle the media relations, filter the opportunities, and manage the day-to-day business operations. The workload has become too much for one person to handle effectively."

The conversation had been building for weeks, as both of them recognized that Amani's success had created demands that exceeded their current capacity. Endorsement offers arrived daily, from major brands like Nike and Puma to smaller companies seeking association with Europe's most promising young talent. Media requests came from across the continent, while investment opportunities ranged from legitimate business ventures to obvious attempts to exploit his growing wealth.

"I've been researching potential candidates," Sophia said, opening her briefcase to reveal a stack of resumes and recommendation letters. "We need someone with experience in sports management, media relations, and business development. Someone who understands the unique challenges facing young athletes and can help protect your interests while maximizing opportunities."

The first candidate was Marcus van der Berg, a former journalist turned sports business consultant who had worked with several Dutch international players. His resume included successful management of endorsement deals, media strategy development, and crisis communication - skills that would become increasingly valuable as Amani's profile continued to grow.

"Van der Berg has excellent connections in Dutch media," Sophia explained. "He understands the local market dynamics and has experience managing the transition from promising talent to established star. His clients speak highly of his discretion and strategic thinking."

The second candidate was Elena Rodriguez, a Spanish business development specialist who had worked with Real Madrid's commercial department before establishing her own consultancy. Her expertise lay in international brand building and commercial partnerships, areas that would become crucial as Amani's career progressed.

"Rodriguez brings a different perspective," Sophia noted. "She understands the global football market and has connections throughout Europe. Her approach is more aggressive commercially, which could be valuable as we look to maximize your earning potential."

The third candidate was David Thompson, a British former agent who had transitioned into business management after representing several Premier League players. His experience included contract negotiations, endorsement deals, and investment advisory services - a comprehensive skill set that aligned closely with their current needs.

"Thompson has the most direct experience in football," Sophia observed. "He understands the agent mentality because he used to be one, which could be valuable in managing the current pressure you're facing. His clients have consistently outperformed market expectations in terms of commercial success."

As they discussed each candidate, Amani found himself drawn to the idea of building a proper team around his career. The success he had achieved was gratifying, but it had also created responsibilities and opportunities that required professional management. The charitable commitments in Kenya, the investment portfolio, the endorsement opportunities, and the constant media attention all demanded expertise that went beyond what he and Sophia could handle alone.

"There's another consideration," Sophia said, her tone becoming more serious. "The tax implications of your success are becoming complex. We need someone who can coordinate with international tax advisors, ensure compliance across multiple jurisdictions, and optimize your financial structure for long-term efficiency."

The conversation turned to the practical aspects of expanding their team. Office space would be needed, along with proper legal structures to protect Amani's interests and ensure professional standards. The investment in professional management would be significant, but the potential returns - both financial and in terms of career development - justified the expense.

"I want to interview all three candidates," Amani decided. "But I also want to understand how they would work with you. This isn't about replacing what we've built together - it's about strengthening it with additional expertise."

Sophia smiled, her relief evident. "That's exactly the right approach. We've built something special together, and any addition to the team needs to complement and enhance what we've already achieved."

The discussion moved to the immediate challenges they faced. The agent pressure showed no signs of abating, with new approaches arriving daily. Some were professional and respectful, while others bordered on harassment. A representative from a major American agency had somehow obtained his class schedule and attempted to approach him between lectures, while another had sent expensive gifts to his apartment despite his clear instructions that such gestures were unwelcome.

"We need a clear protocol for handling these approaches," Sophia said. "Someone who can serve as a buffer, evaluate opportunities professionally, and communicate our position clearly. You shouldn't have to deal with this level of intrusion personally."

The investment portfolio also required more sophisticated management as it continued to grow. The early success with Bitcoin and Tesla had been based on Amani's unique knowledge of future market developments, but maintaining and expanding that success would require professional expertise in portfolio management, risk assessment, and tax optimization.

"The passive income is approaching €20,000 per month," Sophia noted. "That's more than many people earn in a year, and it's growing rapidly. We need to ensure that growth is sustainable and properly managed."

The charitable commitments in Kenya added another layer of complexity. The Malindi project now supported sixty-two families, while Bandari FC's recent promotion to the top division had increased their operational costs significantly. The success was gratifying, but it required careful financial management to ensure long-term sustainability.

"The charitable work is non-negotiable," Amani emphasized. "Whatever structure we create, it needs to ensure that these commitments are protected and properly funded. The people depending on these projects can't be affected by market fluctuations or business decisions."

Sophia nodded approvingly. "That's why we need professional management. The charitable foundation structure we discussed would provide protection and sustainability, but it requires expertise in international law, tax optimization, and fund management."

As their meeting continued, the scope of what they were building became increasingly clear. This wasn't just about managing a football career - it was about creating a sustainable business empire that could support charitable work, generate long-term wealth, and provide security for Amani's family and community. The responsibility was enormous, but so was the potential impact.

"There's one more thing we need to discuss," Sophia said, her tone becoming more serious. "The media attention is intensifying, and not all of it is positive. Some outlets are questioning whether a sixteen-year-old should have this level of wealth and influence. We need to be prepared for increased scrutiny."

The observation was sobering but not unexpected. Success at Amani's age inevitably attracted attention, and not all of that attention would be favorable. The key was to maintain transparency where appropriate while protecting privacy and focusing on the positive impact of his success.

"I'm not ashamed of what we've achieved," Amani said firmly. "The investments were made with legitimate earnings, the charitable work speaks for itself, and the football success has been earned through hard work and dedication. If people want to criticize that, they're welcome to try."

Sophia smiled at his confidence. "That's the right attitude, but we still need to manage the narrative professionally. The right team member could help ensure that your story is told accurately and that the focus remains on your positive impact rather than sensationalized speculation about your wealth."

The meeting concluded with a clear plan of action. They would interview all three candidates within the next two weeks, with the goal of having someone in place before the end of November. The new team member would handle media relations, business development, and day-to-day operational management, allowing Sophia to focus on financial strategy and investment management while giving Amani more time to concentrate on football and his studies.

Team Expansion Strategy

Timeline: November 2013

Candidates: 3 qualified professionals

Focus Areas: Media relations, business development, operational management

Budget: €8,000-12,000 monthly

Expected ROI: 300-500%

As Sophia packed her briefcase and prepared to leave, she paused at the door. "You know, when we started this journey, I never imagined it would grow this quickly or become this complex. But I'm proud of what we've built together, and I'm excited about what comes next."

Amani nodded, looking out at the Utrecht skyline through his apartment window. The city had become his home, the place where his dreams had become reality and his success had created opportunities to help others. The business empire they were building was just another aspect of that journey - a means to ensure that the positive impact of his football career would extend far beyond his playing days.

Personal Reflection

Portfolio Value: €387,000

Monthly Income: €18,400

Charitable Impact: 62 families supported

Career Trajectory: Exceptional

Future Potential: Unlimited

The boy from Mombasa was becoming a young businessman in Utrecht, his success on the football pitch creating opportunities that extended far beyond sport. The empire they were building would ensure that his impact lasted long after his playing career ended, supporting communities and creating opportunities for others to follow in his footsteps.

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