The early morning train to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport carried Amani away from Utrecht and toward a month of freedom he desperately needed. As the Dutch countryside rolled past his window, he felt the tension of the past season slowly beginning to lift from his shoulders. The Europa League qualification, the cup triumph, the constant media attention, the investment meetings - it had all been exhilarating, but exhausting.
His phone buzzed constantly with messages, calls, and notifications that he had learned to ignore. Since the cup final, his number had somehow found its way to dozens of agents, representatives, and business managers who all claimed they could "take his career to the next level." The persistence was remarkable and annoying in equal measure.
"Mr. Hamadi, this is Ricardo Mendes from Elite Sports Management. We represent some of the biggest names in European football and would love to discuss your future..."
Delete.
