Adam, on the other hand, had no such reservations. His excitement was clear when he announced he'd be accepting the call-up, packing his bags with a grin that Benjamin couldn't quite understand.
The next day, Adam left for the training camp, leaving Benjamin and his cousin, Sophie, alone in their shared apartment.
He spent the first evening alone replaying the events in his head. Was he overreacting? Was he being ungrateful for the chance to represent his country, even at the youth level? Maybe. But it didn't change how he felt.
His pride wasn't just about himself—it was about the work he had put in, the sacrifices he had made, and the belief that he was ready for more.
Playing for the U20s felt like being overlooked, like the people in charge weren't paying attention to what he was doing at AZ Alkmaar.