Football: King of Penalty Area
Ch. 02 - Family and Negotiation

“Your son has incredible talent as a goalscorer in the penalty area, of course both his physical and technical ability is still below the average of the juniors at our club, but considering his age of 16. I feel that as long as he can improve his technique then he will be a top player in the top five major leagues of Europe.” Andre.

Anita who heard Andre's words felt a bit surprised, after all she also quite knowledgeable about the European league and the five major European leagues have a level that is much different from other leagues. In addition, Andre also said that his son could become a top player in five major leagues, as long as he was willing to try to improve his technique.

“Mr Andre, to be honest I feel that what you are saying is a bit excessive for me. Although I know that my son is indeed talented in football but it is not up to the level you describe.” Anita who had calmed herself replied to Andre's words.

“I know, what I said does sound silly to you. But I myself have also been a professional player and I know that your son's most important talent is his ability to run without the ball, this ability can only be obtained from repetitive play or the natural talent he was born with. I feel your son has a natural talent in this.” Andre explained calmly.

Anita who only had limited knowledge about professional football finally decided to believe in Andre's explanation, after all as a Psychologist, Anita could also see that Andre did not lie. After thinking about the pros and cons for a while, Anita finally asked her son's opinion.

“So, what do you think Ray? If you want to go to Germany to play football, then mom will support you wholeheartedly.” Anita smiled as she asked Raynaldi for his opinion.

“Bu, to be honest. I was just mediocre in learning, and besides my ability to learn a new language fairly quickly, I could barely do anything else in academia. So in my opinion, going abroad to play football is also a good decision.” Raynaldi expressed his opinion.

Anita knows that her son is quite intelligent, but because of the current view of people who see one's cleverness and intelligence only from the value of reporting that has made Raynaldi feel rather inferior. This also made him let Raynaldi play football every time he went home from school, because it could make him forget his sense of inferiority because of his mediocre grades at school.

“If indeed you have decided it like that, then mother will support you wholeheartedly. But mother also has a job that can not be left here, so mother will contact her maternal cousin in Germany to be your guardian for a while.” Anita answered with a smile.

“Good, mom. Thanks.” Raynaldi was very happy when he thought he could become a football star in the future.

“Alright, Mr. Andre. Looks like my son also has a desire to play football in Europe, so I will also support him.” Anita spoke to Andre again in German.

“Now let's talk about the accommodation your club will provide for my son, to be honest, I only hope that my son's life there will be fulfilled and also for transportation costs and other needs for travel from Indonesia to Germany and vice versa if my son fails the test try, I also want your club side responsible for sending him back home.” Anita expressed her condition to Andre.

Andre who heard the request from Anita, felt the request was quite reasonable and not excessive. Finally on behalf of the club Andre verbally agreed Anita's request and will then pass it on to the club, then wait for a response from the club's youth training department.

After completing negotiations and reaching an agreement with the club by telephone, the club sent an email about the youth contract and its accommodation in three languages, namely Bahasa Indonesia, English, and English, and German with one copy each.

Anita checks all the contract documents carefully and after making sure that there are no problems in the contract documents, Anita finally signs the contract documents on behalf of the trustee of Raynaldi. Then officially Raynaldi will be part of the Leverkusen SC youth team after escaping the club's recruitment trials.

After all the procedures were completed, Andre and his interpreter finally left Raynaldi House after saying goodbye to Raynaldi and his family. Meanwhile, Raynaldi who saw Andre leave his home was excited about his future.

A week later, Anita and Raynaldi are preoccupied with taking care of Raynaldi's needs to settle abroad. Anita helped arrange a Passport and Student Visa for Raynaldi and also contacted her distant cousin who now resides in Germany. In addition, Anita also prepared a Passport and Holiday Visa for herself and her daughter Lisa, after deciding to accompany her son to be more adaptable abroad.

After all the requirements to go abroad were completed, Anita immediately contacted Andre to determine the time of their departure to Germany. After some time of communication, it was finally decided that they would leave for Germany, February 15, 2007. In addition, Leverkusen SC also intends to pay air tickets for Anita and her daughter as a sign of the club's sincerity for Raynaldi.

. . . .

February 15, 2007, Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Jakarta, Indonesia. Anita, Raynaldi, Lisa and Andre meet at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

“How are you feeling Ray? Are you excited to go abroad?” Andre speaks in pretty fluent English.

“Actually I, feel rather nervous Mr. Andre.” Raynaldi replied with English which was also quite fluent.

“No need to be nervous, however this is the first time you have gone to a place far away.. hahaha..” Andre calmed Raynaldi down while laughing.

“Iya, Ray. You just need to enjoy your first experience flying abroad by plane.” Anita also calms down Raynaldi who looks nervous.

Raynaldi just nodded listening to their advice, but he was still nervous because this was the first time he had gone to such a far away place. When Raynaldi was nervous, his sister Lisa pulled his shirt while looking at him with innocent eyes.

“What's Lisa? Do you want to say something to sister?” Raynaldi lowered his head and made his height parallel to Lisa's.

“Sister need not be nervous, because Lisa will accompany sister as well.” Said Lisa while putting both hands on her hips and put on a proud face that even looks very funny.

Anita, Raynaldi, and Andre laughed at her funny behavior.