Chapter 25: A Million Dollar Offer
Ken understood what Aloísio was asking, but he did not answer immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his seat on the team bus and thought for a moment.
To be honest, Ken had a good impression of Aloísio. The striker might not be considered elite among Brazil's endless pool of talent, but he was hardworking, professional, and reliable—qualities that often mattered just as much as pure skill. In a different environment, especially in a developing league, players like him could easily become key figures.
"If your goal is to maximize income and secure your future early," Ken finally said calmly, "then you can consider it seriously. But if your goal is to keep improving and compete at the highest level, then you need to think carefully about whether that move will help your career grow."
Aloísio fell silent for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"I understand what you mean."
Ken smiled. "There's no right or wrong answer. It depends on what you want from football."
Their conversation ended there as the bus gradually slowed near the stadium. Outside, the evening lights of Santos flickered along the streets, and clusters of fans wearing black-and-white jerseys were already gathering near the entrances. Even before kickoff, the tension of the regional rivalry could already be felt.
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Match Day – Urbano Caldeira Stadium
Inside the stadium, the noise was overwhelming. Drums thundered, flags waved, and chants echoed across the stands. Santos, one of Brazil's most historic clubs, carried immense pride, and playing at home always gave them extra energy.
From the opening minutes, Santos pressed aggressively, determined to seize control early. Their forwards pushed high, forcing São Paulo's defenders to move the ball quickly under pressure.
Ken stayed composed, dropping slightly deeper to connect the midfield and attack, patiently waiting for the right moment. Experience had already taught him that matches like these were rarely decided in the first few minutes; patience often created the decisive opportunity.
That opportunity arrived sooner than expected.
A loose pass in midfield was intercepted by Denílson, who immediately lifted his head and delivered a sharp forward pass toward Ken.
Receiving the ball with his back to goal, Ken sensed the defender closing in from behind. Instead of turning directly, he flicked the ball upward with the tip of his right foot, spun around, and let the ball drop over the defender's shoulder.
The movement was smooth—almost instinctive.
The crowd gasped.
Before the second defender could react, Ken accelerated forward, guiding the falling ball with the outside of his left foot and bursting into space.
Three defenders quickly converged.
For a brief second, it looked as though the attack would be stopped.
Ken feinted a shot, forcing one defender to commit, then shifted the ball sideways and slipped a short pass into the path of Fabiano, who had made a perfect supporting run into the penalty area.
"Shoot!" several teammates shouted.
Fabiano struck the ball cleanly—
Bang!
The shot slammed against the crossbar and bounced straight back into the six-yard box.
For a split second, everyone froze.
Ken didn't.
Already anticipating the rebound, he had continued his run into the box. As the ball dropped, he stepped forward and struck it firmly with his right foot, sending it low into the corner of the net.
Goal!
The away section exploded in celebration.
Ken sprinted toward the São Paulo supporters, arms raised, while his teammates rushed forward to embrace him. It was his sixth consecutive match scoring, and the confidence surrounding him seemed to grow with each passing game.
In the VIP stands, Neymar stood and applauded with a wide smile. Though Santos had once been his home club, seeing his longtime friend continue to rise filled him with pride.
"This kid keeps improving every match," he murmured.
Standing beside him, agent Wagner Ribeiro nodded.
"He's attracting serious attention now. Scouts from several European clubs are already following him closely."
Neymar raised an eyebrow. "Already?"
"Yes," Wagner replied calmly. "And São Paulo knows it. Yesterday, they privately approached me with an offer."
"What kind of offer?"
"They wanted me to convince Ken to sign a new long-term contract with a much higher release clause. If I succeeded, they were willing to give me a three-million-dollar bonus."
Neymar glanced at him. "And?"
Wagner smiled faintly. "I declined."
For a moment, Neymar said nothing. Then he laughed softly and patted Wagner on the shoulder.
"That's why we trust you."
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Back on the Pitch
After taking the lead, São Paulo adjusted their formation slightly, focusing more on controlled possession while looking for counterattacking chances. Santos, playing at home, pushed forward with even greater urgency, but their attacks often lacked precision in the final third.
Ken continued to move tirelessly between midfield and attack, helping his team maintain balance. Rather than forcing spectacular plays, he chose simple passes, quick transitions, and intelligent positioning—small decisions that quietly dictated the rhythm of the game.
By halftime, São Paulo still held the 1–0 lead.
Inside the locker room, the atmosphere was upbeat but focused. Head coach Ramalho praised the team's discipline while reminding them not to relax.
"This stadium becomes dangerous if we lose concentration," he warned. "Stay compact, stay patient, and the opportunities will come."
Ken sat quietly, listening, his breathing gradually slowing as he mentally prepared for the second half.
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A Growing Reputation
As the match resumed, Santos attempted to equalize, launching several attacking waves, but São Paulo's defense held firm. Whenever possession changed, Ken's quick decisions helped relieve pressure, often turning defensive recoveries into promising counterattacks.
Even when he wasn't scoring, his influence on the game was becoming increasingly clear.
High in the stands, several scouts continued taking notes, quietly exchanging observations. Performances like this—consistent, composed, and decisive—often mattered more than a single spectacular highlight.
By the time the final whistle approached, it was clear that Ken was no longer just a promising youngster. He was becoming a player opponents had to plan against.
And somewhere beyond the stadium, transfer discussions, scouting reports, and negotiations were already beginning to shape the next stage of his career.
For now, however, Ken focused only on the present—on the match, on his teammates, and on the next training session waiting ahead.
Because he knew one simple truth:
The louder the noise around you becomes, the more important it is to stay grounded on the pitch.