Chapter 29 : Phantom S-Strike

Nico opened the door and found Jorge Mendes standing there with his usual composed expression. He stepped aside, letting him in.

"Come in."

Jorge nodded, stepping into the house. Nico led him to the living room and gestured for him to sit on the couch.

As they settled in, Guardiola, who had been passing through, noticed the visitor and stopped. "Jorge?" he greeted, raising an eyebrow. "What brings you here?"

Jorge chuckled, leaning back slightly. "Well, my star player has got a lot of endorsement offers," he said with a grin. "Figured we should talk before the world starts fighting over him."

Pep smirked and shook his head. "I should've known."

Nico, sitting across from Jorge, leaned forward. "Alright, let's hear it."

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Jorge leaned forward, clasping his hands together. "Alright, let's start with the most important one—your boots."

Nico nodded, listening intently.

"Nike, Adidas, and Puma all want you," Jorge continued. "You're the next big thing in football after Messi and Ronaldo, and they know it. They want to lock you down early."

Pep, who had taken a seat nearby, simply listened, interested in how Nico would handle the business side of things.

Jorge pulled out some documents. "Nike is offering the most generous deal. For a young player like you—just breaking into the top leagues—this is big. They're willing to start at €2 million per year, with bonuses depending on performances, and the deal increases as your career progresses. It's structured so that, by the time you establish yourself as one of the best, you'll be earning well over €10 million per year."

Nico nodded, his expression calm. "And the others?"

"Adidas is offering around €1.2 million per year, but they're also pushing their brand aggressively, wanting you to be a major face in their marketing. Puma's deal is around €800,000 per year, but they're giving you more creative freedom with boot designs and exclusive campaigns."

Nico took a moment to think before leaning back. "Nike seems like the best deal financially and in terms of exposure. But you're the expert, Jorge. What do you think?"

Jorge smiled. "Nike is the safest bet, and their marketing machine is unmatched. They already have Cristiano, Neymar, and Hazard—adding you to the mix means they'll push you hard. If you want global reach and stability, Nike is the way to go."

Nico nodded again, already making his decision. "Alright, let's go with Nike."

Jorge grinned. "Good choice. I'll finalize everything and set up the signing."

Pep, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke. "Smart decision," he said simply.

Nico smirked. "I try."

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Jorge pulled out a folder from his bag and placed it on the table. "Alright, here's what Yves Saint Laurent is offering."

Nico leaned forward, listening intently.

Jorge flipped through a few pages. "First off, they want you to be the face of their upcoming campaign. That means photo shoots, promotional videos, and attending a few major fashion events—think Paris Fashion Week."

Nico raised an eyebrow. "Paris Fashion Week? Me? That's insane."

Jorge chuckled. "Well, get used to it. They're offering a three-year deal, starting at €1.5 million per year, with bonuses if the campaign does well."

Pep whistled. "That's impressive for someone who's still just starting his career in the top flight."

Jorge nodded. "Exactly. They're betting on your future. If you keep growing as a footballer and your popularity rises, they're willing to increase the deal significantly."

Nico rubbed his chin. "What about creative control? I don't want to be stuck doing something that doesn't fit me."

Jorge smiled. "Good question. They won't force you into anything you're uncomfortable with. They want you to represent their brand as you are—young, stylish, and confident. You won't have to wear anything over-the-top if you don't want to."

Nico nodded, thinking it over.

Jorge continued. "And another thing—they want to use you for both sports and lifestyle campaigns. Not just suits and high fashion, but also athleisure wear."

Nico smirked. "So I won't have to walk down a runway in heels?"

Jorge laughed. "No, no heels. Just cool jackets, suits, sneakers—things that fit your style."

Pep, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "It's a huge opportunity, Nico. If you take this, you won't just be a footballer—you'll be a global brand."

Nico exhaled. "It's a lot to take in… but it sounds like a good deal."

Jorge nodded. "It is. And trust me, this is just the beginning."

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Jorge leaned back, a satisfied grin on his face. "Now, the last one is Apple."

Nico raised an eyebrow. "Apple? Seriously?"

Jorge chuckled. "Yep. They want you as an ambassador. One or two ads here and there, but the main condition is that you always use Apple products—iPhone, MacBook, AirPods, whatever it is."

Nico smirked. "Well, that's easy. I already use Apple anyway."

Jorge nodded. "Exactly, that's why this is a low-maintenance deal for you. The contract is for two years, and they're offering €2 million per year, with potential bonuses if you actively promote their products on social media."

Pep, who had been listening, finally spoke. "That's actually a smart move from them. They're trying to tap into football culture more."

Jorge agreed. "Exactly. They already dominate entertainment, but now they want to connect with younger audiences in sports—and you fit their image perfectly."

Nico leaned back, processing everything. "So basically, I get paid to use what I already use?"

Jorge grinned. "Pretty much. And let's be honest—you're going to use an iPhone either way."

Nico laughed. "Fair point."

Jorge closed the folder. "That's all the major offers for now. There were a few other brands, but they didn't feel genuine—just companies trying to latch onto your rising fame without real sincerity."

Nico nodded. "I appreciate that. I'd rather work with brands that actually value me, not just see me as a quick PR move."

Jorge smiled. "That's why I'm here, kid. To make sure every deal makes sense for you."

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Jorge leaned back on the couch, a smirk on his face. "Now, here's something special, Nico. Nike isn't just offering you a standard endorsement deal."

Nico raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Jorge's smirk widened. "**They want to make your very own signature boots."

Nico blinked, stunned. "Wait… what?"

Jorge chuckled. "I knew you'd react like that. But yeah, it's real. They want to build a boot specifically around you—your style, your identity."

Pep, who had been quietly listening, nodded approvingly. "Not many players get that opportunity at 15, Nico. This is big."

Jorge continued, "They believe you're the next global icon. You're La Masia's crown jewel, kids want to be like you, and you have a massive following, especially among young fans. Nike sees the potential in you, and they want to make you the face of their next generation of footballers."

Nico exhaled, still processing everything. "I never expected this to happen so soon…"

Jorge grinned. "Well, believe it. Now, let's talk about the details. First, you get to choose the primary color. What do you want it to be?"

Nico thought for a moment, glancing down at his feet. "Black is classic, but I want something unique… something that represents me."

He looked up at Jorge, a small smile forming. "What about a deep emerald green?"

Jorge's eyes lit up. "That's actually brilliant. It would match your signature—your emerald green eyes. It's distinct, personal, and instantly recognizable."

Pep nodded in agreement. "It'll stand out on the pitch. The moment people see that color, they'll know it's you."

Jorge grinned. "Alright, emerald green it is. Now… what do you want to name them?"

Nico thought for a few seconds, tapping his fingers against his knee. "I don't really know…" he admitted, looking at Jorge.

Jorge chuckled. "That's understandable. Naming your first signature boot is a big deal. You want something that represents you—your style, your journey, your identity."

Pep, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "It should be something meaningful. Something that captures what makes you special on the pitch."

Nico leaned back, thinking. "Maybe something related to my playstyle? Or my background?"

Jorge nodded. "Exactly. Think about what defines you. Your creativity? Your vision? The way you move on the ball? Or maybe something connected to your heritage—something that links you back to La Masia and your family?"

Nico ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah… I'll need a bit of time to come up with the right name."

Jorge smiled. "No rush. Think about it, and when you're ready, we'll finalize it with Nike. This is something that's going to stick with you for years, so make sure it's something you truly love."

Nico nodded. "Yeah, I want it to be perfect."

After a brief pause, Nico thought for a few more seconds before looking up at Jorge.

"You said it was part of the Phantom series, right?" he asked.

Jorge nodded.

"How about S-Strike—naming it after the S-shaped free kick?" Nico suggested. "Phantom S-Strike has a good ring to it."

Jorge grinned. "That's a killer name. It perfectly represents your signature move, and trust me, people are gonna love it. I'll send it to Nike and get everything set up."

Nico leaned back with a satisfied nod, realizing this was another step in his growing legacy.

Jorge stood up, gathering the contracts back into his bag.

"I'll set a date with Saint Laurent for the photoshoot and call you back," he said. "As for the boots, Nike said they should be done in about a month, so you don't have to worry about that."

Nico nodded, taking it all in. It was happening fast, but he was ready.

"Alright then, I'll take my leave," Jorge said, giving him a pat on the back before heading to the door.

Guardiola, who had been quietly listening from the side, finally spoke up once Jorge left.

"You're handling all of this well," he remarked. "A lot of players your age would be overwhelmed."

Nico smirked. "Well, I guess I'll just have to get used to it."

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Two weeks had passed, and Manchester City continued their impressive start to the season. On August 29, they delivered a dominant performance against Watford, securing a 5-1 victory.

Nico was once again at the heart of the action, scoring a beautifully placed goal while also registering two assists. His vision and precision passing carved open Watford's defense, and his influence on the game was undeniable.

Then came September 12, a tense battle against Crystal Palace. The match was a gritty affair, with both sides struggling to break the deadlock. City controlled possession, but Palace's defense stood firm, frustrating their attempts to score. As the clock ticked into the 89th minute, City was awarded a free kick just outside the box.

The atmosphere inside Selhurst Park was electric as Nico stepped up. He took a deep breath, adjusted his stance, and struck the ball with the signature technique he had spent years mastering. The ball swerved unpredictably, a perfect S-shaped trajectory that left the goalkeeper rooted to the spot before nestling into the top corner.

The City bench erupted as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory thanks to Nico's moment of brilliance.

Now, on the night of September 12, 2015, after the match, Nico was at home, unwinding after another exhausting but rewarding day.

He sat on the couch, his legs stretched out as he scrolled through his phone. The game highlights were already circulating, with pundits and fans praising his free kick technique. Just as he was about to put his phone down, it buzzed with an incoming call from Jorge Mendes.

Nico answered, his voice slightly tired but still carrying a hint of excitement. "Jorge, what's up?"

Jorge chuckled on the other end. "Enjoying the win, kid? That free kick was something else. You're making this a habit now."

Nico grinned, leaning back into the couch. "Well, that's the plan."

Jorge got straight to business. "So, about the Yves Saint Laurent photoshoot. Change of plans. Instead of next week, the crew will be in London tomorrow for the shoot."

Nico sat up slightly. "Tomorrow? That's fast."

Jorge laughed. "Welcome to the world of high fashion. They move quickly, and when they want something, they get it done. You're not just any athlete, Nico. They want you as the face of YSL, not just some short-term campaign. This is a big deal."

Nico exhaled, rubbing his temple. "It's still crazy to me, you know? I get the football deals, but fashion? That's a whole different world."

Jorge chuckled. "You underestimate yourself, kid. You've got that look—the sharp jawline, the emerald green eyes, and you carry yourself differently. Football made you famous, but your presence makes you a star. They don't just want an athlete; they want a global icon."

Nico smirked. "So, what's the plan? Just stand there and look good?"

Jorge laughed. "Pretty much. But knowing you, you'll make it look effortless. Anyway, be ready in the morning. They'll send a car for you. It won't take all day, and you'll be back before training."

Nico nodded. "Alright, sounds good. See you tomorrow."

As the call ended, Nico placed his phone on the table, still trying to process everything. Football had always been his dream, but now, at just 15 years old, he was stepping into a world far beyond just the pitch.

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