"Tonight was special, no doubt," Benjamin said, glancing briefly at Martens. "But football is about consistency. One good ga doesn’t make you one of the best. It’s sothing you have to prove over ti. I’ll leave it to others to decide where I stand. For , I’m just grateful to be part of this team and to contribute."
Martens chid in then. "And that’s exactly why Benjamin’s going to go far. He’s not getting caught up in the noise. He knows what matters—working hard and helping the team. That mindset is what sets him apart."
The room chuckled lightly at Martens’ protective tone, and the younger journalist seed satisfied, leaning back in his seat as the focus shifted once more.
Another question ca from a seasoned reporter toward the front. [Coach Verbeek, with Benjamin’s rising profile, do you worry about the interest he might attract from bigger clubs?]
Gertjan Verbeek’s lips twitched into a slight smirk, "Benjamin is an AZ Alkmaar player, and we’re proud of what he’s done so far. Bigger clubs always look at young talents when they perform well, but that’s a distraction we don’t need right now."
"Interest cos with good performances, but Benjamin is here to grow as a player, and AZ Alkmaar is the perfect place for that right now. He’s young, and he has ti on his side. Our job is to help him reach his potential without unnecessary distractions."
The hum of the press conference room softened as the weight of Gertjan Verbeek’s words settled over the reporters.
The coach’s calm confidence seed to quell the room’s curiosity about Benjamin’s transfer speculation, at least for now.
Another journalist from De Volkskrant leaned forward, aiming their question at Benjamin. Their tone was less probing, and almost conversational.
[Benjamin, you’ve had a teoric rise this season, following superb performances in two Eredivisie gas and a Europa League ga against Anzhi Makhachkala in Dagestan]
[And performances like tonight only add to your growing reputation. What’s been the biggest challenge for you in adapting to senior football?]
Benjamin’s posture relaxed slightly at the question, his hands no longer fidgeting under the table. He t the reporter’s gaze briefly before answering.
"The physicality, for sure," he admitted, his voice steady but reflective. "At this level, you don’t get much ti on the ball. You have to make decisions quickly, and you have to be stronger in every way—ntally, physically, and tactically. It’s been a learning curve, but the coaching staff and my teammates have helped a lot. I’m still adapting, but I’m enjoying the process."
The answer earned a few approving nods from the gathered journalists, and they penned down notes.
Martens gave him another subtle nod of encouragent, the captain was clearly pleased with how Benjamin was handling himself with this two-faced wolves.
A senior journalist from Voetbal International raised their hand next, directing their question to Martens.
[Martens, Benjamin’s ntioned the support he’s received from the squad. As captain, what role have you played in helping him settle in?]
Martens smiled, "Benjamin makes it easy," he said simply. "He listens, he works hard, and he’s humble. But as captain, my job is to make sure he feels comfortable and confident on and off the pitch."
"He’s got the talent, no question about that, but we all know football is as much about ntality as it is about skill. It’s about helping him stay grounded during the highs and picking him up during the lows. Nights like tonight show what he’s capable of, but it’s the work he puts in every day that impresses the most."
The room seed to appreciate Martens’ insight, his words painting a picture of a young player thriving in a supportive environnt.
The final question of the night ca from an Algeen Dagblad reporter. [Coach Verbeek, AZ Alkmaar’s performance tonight was arguably the most dominant we’ve seen this season. How do you keep the team grounded after such a high?]
Gertjan Verbeek’s expression grew serious. "Football is about balance," he said. "It’s easy to get carried away after a big win like this, but we can’t let it distract us from the bigger picture. The next ga is always the most important.
"I’ll remind the players of that in training. We’ll analyze what we did well tonight and what we can improve. Celebrating a win is fine, but we move forward with the sa focus and determination as always."
The room erupted in a flurry of final scribbles in notes and cara clicks as the moderator wrapped up the session.
The players and coach stood up from their seats and shook hands with a few of the reporters before exiting the room.
As they walked down the corridor, Benjamin turned to Martens and asked with his voice low. "Do you think I answered okay?"
Martens chuckled and patted his shoulder. "You did more than okay. Just keep being you—that’s all anyone wants to see."
Benjamin nodded, and a flicker of relief crossed his face as they headed back toward the dressing room, where the players were waiting for a final wrap-up from Coach Verbeek.
***
As the players began packing their gears after Gertjan Verbeek’s final talking session, the tension in the room eased and was replaced by sounds of chatter and occasional laughter.
Benjamin grabbed his bag, slinging it over his shoulder as Adam nudged him. "Taxi’s waiting outside," Adam said while motioning toward the door.
The pair stepped out into the cool Alkmaar night, their breath visible in the cool air.
The streets were much quieter now as the fans had dispersed. A black taxi idled near the curb with its headlights on.
Benjamin slid into the backseat with Adam following close behind. The driver, a middle-aged man wearing an AZ Alkmaar jersey and spotting a warm smile on his face, nodded in recognition. "Good ga, lads," he said as he pulled away from the curb.
"Thanks," Benjamin replied softly while glancing out the window as the familiar streets of Alkmaar blurred past. His body ached from the match, but his mind was still racing.
Adam leaned back, his head resting against the seat. "We’ll have to get used to nights like these," he said, his tone teasing but genuine. "Big gas, bigger expectations. It doesn’t stop."
Benjamin smiled faintly. "I wouldn’t have it any other way."
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