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As the discussion wound down, the Sky Sports studio faded into the background. He had heard all the praise, the arguments, and the analysis. It didn't matter if the world saw his potential—it was up to him to prove it again and again. The next time he had the chance to make a statement, he wouldn't just be aiming for Buffon; he'd be aiming for a place in the squad, a place in history.
As the discussion wound down, the Sky Sports studio faded into the background, but Francesco's mind was still buzzing. He had heard all the praise, the arguments, and the analysis. It didn't matter if the world saw his potential—it was up to him to prove it again and again. And he would. The next time he had the chance to make a statement, he wouldn't just be aiming for Buffon; he'd be aiming for a place in the squad, a place in history.
The international break had officially begun, and while most of his teammates were off representing their countries, Francesco had other commitments to fulfill. With his rising status in world football, his sponsorship deals were becoming bigger and more demanding. This time, his schedule was packed with high-profile commercial obligations, and leading the way was his agent, Jorge Mendes.
"Alright, kid, we've got a busy few days ahead," Mendes said as they settled into their first-class seats on the flight to Oregon. "Nike wants to finalize your exclusive shoe line, discuss the design, and get the branding sorted. Then we have a full-day photoshoot with their latest boots."
Francesco nodded, stretching his legs. "Sounds good to me. Been looking forward to this."
Leah Williamson, sitting across from him, smiled. "You're handling this all way too calmly. Most players would be freaking out over getting their own exclusive shoe line."
He smirked. "What can I say? I like to keep it cool."
Leah rolled her eyes but grinned. She had decided to accompany Francesco on this trip, taking advantage of the international break as well. The two had been inseparable lately, and even with their busy careers, they made time for each other.
The flight to Oregon was long, but with Mendes handling all the logistics and Leah keeping him entertained, it didn't feel like a burden. When they landed, a luxury car was already waiting to take them straight to Nike's global headquarters.
Nike's campus in Beaverton was nothing short of spectacular. Modern buildings surrounded by lush greenery, state-of-the-art sports facilities, and an atmosphere that screamed innovation. As soon as they arrived, they were greeted by a team of executives and designers, all eager to work with one of football's fastest-rising stars.
"Francesco! Welcome to Nike," said one of the senior designers, extending a hand. "We're thrilled to have you here."
"Glad to be here," Francesco replied, shaking hands with everyone.
They were led into a sleek, futuristic-looking design studio where screens displayed various prototypes of what could potentially be Francesco's first signature boot. The meeting was intense but exciting. They went over color schemes, materials, and branding elements. Francesco had always been hands-on with his endorsements—he didn't just want a generic boot with his name slapped on it. He wanted something that truly represented him.
"I want it to be aggressive but elegant," he told the design team. "Something that stands out but isn't too flashy. It needs to feel like an extension of me on the pitch."
The designers took notes, showing him different options. He tested out a few sample materials, ensuring the fit and comfort were exactly right. Then came the discussion about his personal logo.
"We've drafted a few concepts," one of the branding experts said, bringing up various designs featuring stylized versions of his initials, a lion motif to represent his fearless style of play, and even some ideas inspired by his Korean heritage.
Leah, who had been watching intently, pointed at one of the designs. "That one. It feels… powerful. It's clean but distinct."
Francesco studied it for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. I like it. Can we refine it a bit? Maybe make the lines sharper?"
The team agreed, and after a few hours of back-and-forth adjustments, Francesco had his official personal brand locked in. His signature boot would feature a sleek black-and-gold colorway, with his newly designed logo on the heel. It was surreal.
"This is incredible," Francesco admitted, running his fingers over the final prototype.
Mendes grinned. "This is just the beginning, kid."
The next part of the visit was the photoshoot. They moved to one of Nike's high-tech studios, where Francesco posed in full Arsenal gear, wearing the brand's latest boots. Leah sat off to the side, watching with amusement as he went through various action shots, dribbling, striking, and sprinting while a team of photographers captured every movement.
"Not bad, superstar," she teased between takes.
He smirked. "Think I have a future in modeling if football doesn't work out?"
Leah laughed. "Let's stick to football for now."
By the end of the day, Francesco was exhausted but satisfied. He had his own boot line in development, his branding was officially set, and the Nike team was thrilled with the content they had shot.
"You absolutely killed it today," one of the executives told him. "We'll start rolling out the marketing campaign soon. This is going to be huge."
With their work at Nike complete, it was time for the next stop—Atlanta, Georgia, home of Coca-Cola's headquarters.
The flight from Oregon to Atlanta was smooth, and by the time they arrived, Francesco was already shifting his mindset to the next obligation. Coca-Cola was another one of his major sponsors, and they had lined up a campaign centered around him as one of the young faces of global football.
Arriving at the Coca-Cola HQ, Francesco was once again greeted with excitement. Executives led them through a tour of the facility before diving into the photoshoot.
This shoot had a different vibe from Nike's. Instead of intense, action-packed shots, this one was more relaxed. Francesco posed casually with a Coke bottle, did some lifestyle shots in streetwear, and even filmed a short promotional video where he spoke about his journey in football.
Leah was once again by his side, offering occasional commentary. "You're getting way too good at this."
Francesco chuckled. "Maybe I should start negotiating higher appearance fees."
Mendes, overhearing, smirked. "Leave that to me."
After wrapping up the shoot, Coca-Cola's marketing team sat down with Francesco to discuss future campaigns. They wanted him involved in global advertisements leading up to the Euros, assuming he would eventually get his England call-up.
"We have big plans for you, Francesco," one of the executives said. "You're not just a footballer—you're a brand. And we want to help build that."
It was a lot to take in, but Francesco handled it with his usual confidence. He understood the responsibility that came with being a rising star. The football world was watching, and now, so was the corporate world.
As they left the Coca-Cola headquarters and headed to the hotel that Mendes book for them, Francesco leaned back in the car, exhaling. "That was a lot."
Leah smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. "You handled it like a pro."
After two days of well-earned rest in Atlanta, Francesco felt rejuvenated and ready for the next leg of his sponsorship commitments. While he would've loved to spend the entire break relaxing, he knew this was part of the job. The football world wasn't just about what happened on the pitch—it was about building a brand, making connections, and setting himself up for the future after he retire.
Early in the morning, Francesco, Leah, and Jorge Mendes boarded a private jet bound for Munich, Germany. The destination: BMW Headquarters. As one of Francesco's newest sponsors, BMW had big plans for him, and he was eager to see what they had in store.
The flight was smooth, and upon landing in Munich, a fleet of black BMWs was already waiting on the tarmac. Francesco chuckled, nudging Leah. "They don't waste time, do they?"
Mendes smirked. "Welcome to German efficiency."
The group was escorted in a sleek BMW i7, a high-end electric luxury sedan, straight to the BMW headquarters. The iconic glass and steel architecture of the BMW Welt and the BMW Museum loomed ahead as they pulled up. The moment Francesco stepped out of the car, he was greeted by a group of executives, all dressed sharply in suits.
"Francesco! Welcome to BMW," said one of the senior executives, a tall man with silver hair and a warm smile. "I'm Markus Keller, Head of Global Brand Partnerships. It's an honor to have you here."
"The honor's mine," Francesco replied, shaking his hand. "I've always been a fan of BMWs."
"We're thrilled to hear that," Markus said, motioning for the group to follow him inside. "Let's start with a tour of our facilities. We want you to truly experience what BMW is all about before we get to the photoshoot."
The first stop was the BMW Museum, a futuristic building showcasing the company's rich history. Francesco, Leah, and Mendes were given a guided tour, where they saw everything from vintage BMW models to concept cars that looked like something out of a sci-fi movie.
Leah pointed at a sleek silver BMW 507 from the 1950s. "Now that's a car."
Francesco grinned. "Might have to get one for the collection."
Mendes rolled his eyes. "You and your car obsession."
The tour continued into BMW's research and development area, where engineers were working on the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles. Francesco was fascinated by the cutting-edge technology, especially since he had a growing interest in cars beyond just driving them.
Markus noticed his interest. "Maybe one day, we can collaborate on a Francesco Lee edition."
Francesco smirked. "That sounds dangerous for my bank account."
After the tour, they were taken to the BMW showroom, where some of the newest models were on display. Francesco was particularly drawn to the BMW X5 xDrive40e, a high-performance sports car that immediately caught his attention.
"This is unreal," he muttered, running a hand along the hood.
Markus smiled. "You like it?"
"Love it," Francesco admitted.
"Well," Markus said, exchanging a knowing glance with one of his colleagues, "let's just say you might be driving one soon."
Francesco raised an eyebrow. "Now you've got my attention."
After the tour, it was time for business. The photoshoot was set up in an industrial-style studio within BMW's headquarters. The theme was centered around speed, precision, and power—values that Francesco embodied both on and off the pitch.
The first set of shots featured Francesco dressed in a sleek black suit, standing next to a BMW M8 Competition Coupe. The photographers directed him through various poses—leaning against the car, adjusting his cufflinks with the car's headlights illuminating the scene, and even stepping into the driver's seat as if he were about to speed off.
Leah, sitting off to the side, watched with amusement. "You really do look like a James Bond villain."
Francesco laughed. "I'll take that as a compliment."
The second part of the shoot had a more casual feel. Francesco swapped the suit for a stylish BMW-branded jacket, pairing it with fitted jeans and sneakers. This time, he posed with the newly released BMW XM, the company's powerful hybrid SUV.
He climbed into the driver's seat, pretending to grip the wheel with intensity. The photographers loved it. "Perfect! Hold that look—like you're about to take off!"
After a few hours, the final part of the shoot was a short promotional video. Francesco was filmed driving the BMW X5 xDrive40e through a closed track, showcasing its speed and agility. The roar of the engine, the sleek movements of the car—it was exhilarating.
When they wrapped up, one of the marketing directors approached him with a smile. "That was brilliant. We're going to start rolling out this campaign soon, and trust me, it's going to be massive."
Markus reappeared, this time holding a set of keys. "Before you leave, we have a little gift for you."
Francesco blinked. "Wait, what?"
Markus handed him the keys and gestured toward the BMW X5 xDrive40e he had been admiring earlier. "Consider it a token of our appreciation. We want our brand ambassadors to truly experience what BMW is about."
For once, Francesco was speechless. He turned to Leah, who was equally shocked. "Are they serious?"
Mendes smirked. "You better believe it."
Francesco took a moment before finally grinning. "Alright, now this is a sponsorship I can get behind."
He climbed into the driver's seat, running his hands over the leather steering wheel. The car was his now. The moment felt surreal.
Leah leaned in through the window. "So… first ride goes to me, right?"
Francesco chuckled. "I'll think about it."
As they left BMW HQ, Francesco couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. He had come a long way from being just another young footballer trying to make a name for himself. Now, he was not just a player—he was a brand, a rising global icon.
Sitting in the back of the BMW i7 that was driving them back to their hotel, he glanced over at Leah. "You know," he said, spinning the new car keys around his finger, "this whole branding thing? I think I'm starting to enjoy it."
Leah laughed. "Oh, you were always going to enjoy it. But don't forget—you still have a football career to focus on."
Francesco grinned. "Don't worry. This is just the beginning."
As the black BMW i7 smoothly navigated the streets of Munich, the excitement of the day still lingered in Francesco's mind. He glanced at the set of keys in his hand—the keys to his brand-new BMW X5 xDrive40e. It was more than just a car; it was a symbol of how far he had come. From being a talented teenager fighting for recognition to becoming one of football's rising stars, now with global brands like BMW investing in him. It was surreal, but he wasn't going to let himself get carried away.
Leaning back into the plush leather seat, he turned to Jorge Mendes, who was casually scrolling through his phone. "Jorge, can you help me get the car shipped back to London?"
Mendes looked up and nodded without hesitation. "Of course, I'll have my team handle it. We can either arrange for it to be shipped directly to your place in London, or if you prefer, we can have it temporarily stored at BMW's UK headquarters before delivering it to you."
Francesco thought for a moment. "Straight to London would be best. No point in waiting around."
Mendes tapped a few things on his phone. "Consider it done. I'll coordinate with BMW's logistics team and get everything sorted. You should have the car at your doorstep in a week or so."
Francesco exhaled in satisfaction. "Perfect. Thanks, Jorge."
Leah, who had been sitting quietly beside him, chuckled. "You're really living the dream, huh? Just casually getting a luxury car sent back home like it's an online order."
Francesco smirked. "I mean, if it makes life easier, why not?"
Leah playfully nudged him. "Just don't let all this go to your head. I still need you to be that guy who celebrates a goal like it's his first every time."
Francesco gave her a look of mock offense. "Come on, you know me. I'll always be that guy."
Leah grinned. "Good. Because I'd hate for football to become second to all this branding and sponsorship stuff."
Mendes, ever the businessman, chimed in. "It's all about balance. Francesco knows his main job is still on the pitch. The branding side of things is just ensuring his future is secure long after his playing days are over."
Francesco nodded. "Exactly. Right now, my focus is still on football. But I'd be stupid to ignore opportunities like this. The game isn't forever, but the name? That can last a lifetime."
Leah considered his words for a moment before smiling. "I guess that makes sense. Just don't turn into one of those players who gets distracted by the fame."
Francesco chuckled. "Not a chance. I'm here to win. Everything else is just a bonus."
As their car approached the hotel, Francesco took one last look at the city of Munich through the window. The past few days had been a whirlwind of business, sponsorships, and new experiences, but at the end of it all, he was still the same footballer with the same hunger to succeed.
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Name : Francesco Lee
Age : 16 (2014)
Birthplace : London, England
Football Club : Arsenal First Team
Championship History : None
Match Played: 28
Goal: 33
Assist: 12
MOTM: 8