Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 96's

Nero's signing ceremony took place without much fanfare. No journalists were present when he put his signature on the final contract. The only people present to witness his signing in Anderlecht's senior team were four Anderlecht executives and a photographer. However, he was not disappointed in the least. Despite not attracting many people for his first professional signing ceremony, he still feels happy to confirm his employment contract with Belgium's top club.

Nero and Bella left Anderlecht with Coach Marcel in his car soon after the ceremony ended. They were accompanied by Ms. Cynthia Weemaels, sporting director of Anderlecht.

They set a course to go to Lotto Park Stadium to complete the procedure involved in Nero's initiation to the senior team. He has yet to select lockers, go around the stadium, and meet with Anderlecht officials in charge of publicity.

"Nero," cried Coach Johansen as he passed the roundabout and pointed his Ford Ranger down the road towards the gates of Lotto Park Stadium. "I recommend that you take a few days off after completing the procedure today. You have to go home and do whatever you have to do today. Make sure everything in your life is in order. Then, rejoin the team for a practice session on Monday at 9:00 AM."

"It's better that I continue training with the team today" Nero replied with a smile. He makes himself comfortable next to Bella in the back seat of Coach Marcel's car.

"Young man," Ms. Cynthia Weemaels, the sporting director sitting in the front passenger seat, interrupted. "I advise you to follow Coach Marcel's advice. It is best to take this weekend off and relax your body and mental state. Training will feel like hell from this Monday as we begin serious preparations for the new season. The rest will not be like the half-and-half regimen you used to do in the academy."

"Yes, director," Nero replied half-heartedly. He is reluctant to take a weekend off because he intends to get an early position in the team as soon as possible. Losing the next two days of first-team training would reduce his chances significantly. Despite this, he decided to respect the coach's advice and stay at home over the weekend. He has waited three months to complete a contract with Anderlecht. He can wait two more days.

"That's great" Coach Marcel said without taking his eyes off the road. "I've been your coach for the last two years. All I can say is that you are one of the most focused young players I have ever coached. Your work ethic is commendable." He stopped, stepping on the brakes as he approached the zebra cross.

"Thank you for your praise," Nero replied as he gave a small nod.

"However, I see there are problems that can affect your performance as a professional athlete, maybe sooner or later" said the coach.

"The problem!" Nero muttered, frowning.

In his two years at the academy, he had followed a strict training schedule and wasted no time. Whether it was the coldest day of winter or the Christmas break, he never missed a training session. So, he is confused by the problems that could affect his performance as a professional player. He waited anxiously until the coach explained himself.

"Yes, there is a problem" said Coach Marcel. "I have no doubts about your work ethic and commitment to training. However, you do not have a social life outside of football. You've spent two years in Brussels, all you've done is practice, practice and practice."

"Social life!" Nero was once again confused. He was in Belgium to play football and make money. However, the coach has just mentioned that his lack of social life is a problem that has the potential to hamper his career. Is that a joke? Moreover, it is the so-called social life that has destroyed his career in his previous life.

"Yes, you don't have a social life" continued the coach in a somber tone. "If I may ask, do you have a boyfriend? Or do you have more than three friends outside the football field?"

Nero decided to remain silent.

"If the answers to those questions are negative, then you really lack social life. As a Coach, I'm just a little bit happy that you've devoted all your time to your career. However, once in a while, you need to let go and relax. Having a girlfriend is one way to unwind in the busy world of football. Otherwise, you'll be ruined, sooner or later."

"You and your agent should create a detailed schedule for your training from now on. The schedule should include a well-defined rest period for best effect. If possible, you should hire a professional coach to assist you in this. Miss Emily, what did you say?"

"Coach, I think that's a good idea" Bella replied cheerfully. "Before I left Brussels, I would help Nero hire a fitness trainer. On the matter of rest, we can work with the club to achieve that. Moreover, there is a clause about this in the contract."

Both Bella and the sporting director were laughing out loud.

They continued to discuss Nero's career as they approached the stadium gates. The coach continues to advise Nero on how to make it big on the professional stage. He even mentioned the problem of growth delays that could potentially cause injury. He stated that he would devise a training regimen to adapt Nero to his physical growth the following week. Coach Marcel wants to make sure Nero's injury risk is not too great so he must ensure growth acceleration is reduced to a minimum before his debut.

"Bella, this must be your first time at Lotto Park?" Ms Cynthia Weemaels, the sporting director, asked as Coach Marcel directed the car to the stadium gate.

"You're wrong, director," Bella replied as she shook her head. "It's like my fourth time here in Brussels. Most of my meetings with Mr. Borguet happened here."

"But I'm sure you didn't get a chance to go around the stadium" asked the sporting director, turning to face Bella.

"You're right," Bella agreed. "This will be my first tour around Lerkendal. So, I'm going to take a lot of photos for my Facebook page." She smiles.

"Coach" Nero interjected as Coach Marcel drove his car into the parking lot. "I heard there were two pre-season games against Russian side Rubin Kazan and Swedish side Malmo, scheduled for next week. If I do well in Monday's training session, can I get a chance to join the first team?"

Coach Marcel laughed, shaking his head. "Nero, we have to work slowly in the first team. I know you're very talented, but we'll have to deal with your growth acceleration issues first. We don't want our most promising young talent to be injured in a friendly match even before the season starts." He stopped, opened the door and got out of the vehicle. The rest followed and stepped out of the black Ford through their respective doors.

"Nero" continued the coach, his tone grim. "I implore you to take your growth spurt seriously. You have grown a few inches in just a few months. It will affect your running and dribbling posture. If you do not handle this carefully, you will end up recurring.Injury even before your career takes off. Are we clear?"

"Yes, coach." Nero nodded. "But I would like to point out that I have been doing a lot of agility-enhancing exercises over the past few months. I am fully fit and ready to play at any time without risking injury."

Since graduating from the academy, Nero has pondered playing style issues he could use to better fit into the first team. In the academy, he played more as a half-ass attacker instead of a midfielder. Nero has often dribbling past defenders to score goals. But he cannot continue to use the same style on the professional stage because defenders are much more skilled than young players.

Instead, he intends to improve his game and adopt a proper passing approach to win an early position in Anderlecht's first team. He hopes to become a Maestro who can dominate the game with just a few touches rather than dribbling past defenders. That way, he would not have to worry about injuries despite having a late growth spurt. But for that to happen, the coach has to give him a chance to prove himself in the first game.

"Well, we'll see" replied Coach Marcel, taking his bag from the Ford cabin. "If you're really fit, you can join the squad sooner than expected. But you need to know that it's not just my approval that you need to win. You should also impress your teammates to the extent that they do not. Don't doubt your locker skills and complete the transfer procedure. We'll handle the rest on Monday."

Lotto Park Stadium, the home of Anderlecht located three kilometers south of the city center, is very pampering for the eyes. It was an all-seater stadium consisting of four three-tier stands without corners with a capacity for 22,500 spectators. About thirteen thousand were in club seating and luxury boxes in the middle level of the four stands.

Nero and Bella followed Ms. Weemaels as they toured the stadium. They walk past all of Lotto Park's sports facilities, including a gym, three pitches, and a locker room.

Nero has been training with the first team for a few months, so he knows most of the facilities. But he still follows the sporting director as he takes him around the facility introducing him to different club employees. By the afternoon of that day, Nero had met with publicity secretaries, various trainers, gardeners, gym attendants, and other managers—in charge of the day-to-day operation of Anderlecht facilities.

When he finished the tour, he held a brief meeting with Bella about his contract and hired a personal trainer at a restaurant near Anderlecht City. He then returned to his apartment to rest that night, feeling fulfilled after signing the contract. He intends to buy new skills from the system that night to prepare for the new season.