Amsterdam
Early December 2017
Success created complications. Andrei discovered this the morning after the PSG victory when Cătălin Sarmale called with urgent news.
"We need to meet. In person. Today."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. Everything's right. That's the problem."
They met at a café in De Pijp, Sarmale arriving with a thick folder of documents. The agent looked both excited and concerned.
"Five clubs have made formal inquiries about your availability," Sarmale began without preamble. "Real Madrid, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, and Tottenham Hotspur."
Andrei felt his stomach drop. "For January?"
"For summer. January would be too disruptive. But they want to establish interest now, get ahead of the competition."
"What kind of interest?"
Sarmale opened his folder. "Real Madrid is monitoring, no formal offer yet. They rarely buy in January anyway. Manchester United has asked about your contract situation and whether you'd consider England. Dortmund wants to replicate their Sancho success with another young talent. Juventus sees you as a potential replacement for aging midfielders. Tottenham wants to know if you'd work with Pochettino."
"That's... overwhelming."
"It gets more complicated. Ajax knows about the interest. They want to offer you a new contract—extended to 2023 with significantly improved wages. They're also willing to include a release clause, which they rarely do."
Andrei's head spun. "What should I do?"
"That depends on what you want. Stay at Ajax, continue developing in a comfortable environment? Or make the jump to an elite club where you might struggle for playing time initially?"
"I'm nineteen. I need to play."
"Exactly. Which is why I'd advise staying at Ajax one more season, then moving summer 2019 when you're more developed." Sarmale leaned forward. "But Andrei—these opportunities don't always come twice. If Real Madrid wants you now, turning them down might close that door forever."
They talked for two hours, analyzing every scenario, every possibility, every risk. By the end, Andrei felt more confused than when they started.
"Take time to think," Sarmale advised. "Nothing needs deciding immediately. Focus on finishing this season strongly. But understand—your performances in the Champions League knockout rounds will significantly impact your value and options."
That evening, Andrei discussed it with Elena over dinner at their apartment.
"Real Madrid," she said slowly. "That's not just a club. That's history, legacy, the pinnacle."
"I know. But I'd probably sit on the bench for two years."
"True. What does your gut say?"
"Stay at Ajax another season. Win the Eredivisie, compete in Champions League knockouts, turn twenty, then make the move."
"That sounds mature and sensible."
"But what if Real Madrid doesn't come back?"
Elena set down her fork, looking at him seriously. "Then another giant will. Andrei, you're nineteen years old, performing at elite level consistently. You're not a one-season wonder—you've proven that. The opportunities will come."
"You'd support staying at Ajax another year?"
"I'd support whatever decision helps your career most. My work is portable. Amsterdam, Madrid, Manchester—I can write from anywhere."
"I don't want you sacrificing your career for mine."
"I'm not sacrificing. I'm choosing." She took his hand. "I love you. Where you go, I go. But only if you make decisions for the right reasons—your development, not my convenience."
That night, Andrei made a decision. He'd stay at Ajax through the 2018-19 season, signing a new contract with improved terms and a reasonable release clause (€25-30 million). That gave him security, Ajax protection, and potential suitors clarity.
The choice felt right.
Final Champions League Group Match
Anderlecht vs Ajax
Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Brussels
December 5, 2017
Ajax needed just a draw to secure Champions League Round of 16 qualification. Even a loss would likely suffice unless PSG beat Bayern by multiple goals—an unlikely scenario.
The atmosphere in Brussels was subdued. Anderlecht was already eliminated, playing for pride. Ajax was cautious, not wanting to risk injuries before the knockout rounds.
Bosz rotated the squad heavily, resting key players for the upcoming Eredivisie clash with PSV.
Ajax Starting XI (Heavily Rotated):
GK: Kostas Lamprou (backup keeper)
DEF: Joël Veltman, Davinson Sánchez, Maximilian Wöber, Dijks
MID: Frenkie de Jong, Lasse Schöne, Amin Younes
FWD: David Neres, Kasper Dolberg, Andrei Luca (kept in for continuity)
Andrei was one of few starters retained, playing sixty minutes before being substituted to protect him for PSV.
The match was professional but uninspiring—Ajax controlled possession without urgency, Anderlecht defended without intensity. Final score: 0-0.
Job done.
Final Champions League Group B Standings:
Bayern Munich - 16 points
Ajax - 12 points (QUALIFIED for Round of 16)
PSG - 10 points (QUALIFIED for Round of 16)
Anderlecht - 1 point (Eliminated)
All three expected qualifiers had advanced. Anderlecht's single point came from a draw with PSG on the final matchday.
But the key achievement: Ajax was in the Champions League Round of 16 for the first time since 2005-06. Twelve years of absence ended.
Historic Qualification:
Ajax returns to Champions League knockout rounds
Youngest squad to reach Round of 16
Andrei Luca: Key contributor (2 goals, 3 assists in group stage)
The dressing room celebrations were measured—happy but not ecstatic. The real tournament began in February when the Round of 16 started.
The December 18th draw would determine Ajax's opponent: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester City, Porto, Sevilla, Shakhtar Donetsk, or others from the group runners-up.
Eredivisie - The Title Race Intensifies
December 10: PSV Eindhoven vs Ajax
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
The return fixture against PSV came at a crucial moment. After sixteen matches:
Eredivisie Standings:
PSV Eindhoven - 40 points
Ajax - 38 points
AZ Alkmaar - 33 points
Two points separated first and second. Win in Eindhoven, and Ajax would go top. Lose, and PSV would have a significant psychological and points advantage.
This match would likely decide the championship.
Peter Bosz knew it. "This is our season right here," he told the squad before traveling to Eindhoven. "Win tonight, and we control our destiny. Lose, and we're chasing PSV for the rest of the campaign."
PSV Starting XI (4-3-3):
GK: Jeroen Zoet
DEF: Denzel Dumfries, Daniel Schwaab, Nicolas Isimat-Mirin, Santiago Arias
MID: Marco van Ginkel, Jorrit Hendrix, Gastón Pereiro
FWD: Steven Bergwijn, Luuk de Jong, Hirving Lozano
Ajax Starting XI (4-3-3):
GK: André Onana
DEF: Joël Veltman, Davinson Sánchez, Matthijs de Ligt, Nicolás Tagliafico
MID: Frenkie de Jong, Lasse Schöne, Donny van de Beek
FWD: Hakim Ziyech, Kasper Dolberg, Andrei Luca
The Philips Stadion was packed again—35,000 fans creating a hostile atmosphere. PSV's supporters sensed this was their moment to break Ajax's challenge.
From kickoff, the match was warfare. Every tackle was aggressive, every challenge contested, the referee struggling to maintain control.
In the 19th minute, PSV took the lead.
Lozano received the ball on the left wing and used his pace to beat Veltman. His cross found Luuk de Jong, who powered a header past Onana.
1-0 PSV.
The stadium erupted. Ajax was behind in the title race's biggest match.
But Ajax responded with character. They didn't panic, didn't rush. They controlled possession, probed patiently, waited for opportunities.
In the 34th minute, the equalizer came.
Frenkie de Jong won possession in midfield with an intelligent interception. He immediately looked forward, seeing Andrei making a diagonal run from the left into central areas.
The pass was perfectly weighted. Andrei controlled it with his first touch, swiveling past Hendrix with his second.
Suddenly he had space, twenty-five yards from goal. He could shoot, could pass to Dolberg making a run, could wait for support.
Decision Point:
Multiple options available
Vision: 69.4/99
Shooting from distance: Risky but possible
Andrei struck it with his right foot—a powerful, dipping shot aimed for the top corner.
Zoet dove desperately, fingertips extended.
The ball grazed his hand but had too much power. It crashed into the top corner—unstoppable.
GOAL. 1-1.
Goal scored - Crucial title race match
Shooting: Elite long-range finish (+0.2)
Composure: Delivered in critical moment (+0.2)
The away section exploded. Andrei sprinted toward Ajax's traveling fans, sliding on his knees, overwhelmed by the moment's significance.
This wasn't just a goal. This was a statement—Ajax refusing to be intimidated, refusing to surrender the title race.
The match continued at ferocious intensity. Both teams created chances, both defenses held firm. As the clock ticked toward ninety minutes, a draw seemed inevitable.
Then, in the 89th minute, Andrei made the match-winning contribution.
Ajax won a throw-in deep in PSV's half. Tagliafico launched it long toward the penalty area. Dolberg challenged for it, PSV's defense scrambling.
The ball broke loose, bouncing toward the edge of the box where Ziyech was arriving.
But between Ziyech and the ball stood Schwaab, PSV's center-back, ready to clear.
Andrei read it faster than anyone else. He sprinted toward the space Schwaab would vacate when clearing the ball.
Schwaab cleared—a powerful but rushed clearance. The ball flew toward Andrei, who'd positioned himself perfectly.
One touch to control. One second to set himself.
He struck it with his left foot—his weaker foot—a half-volley from eighteen yards.
The ball flew through a crowd of players, swerving and dipping.
Zoet saw it late, dove desperately.
Too late.
The ball nestled in the bottom corner.
GOAL. PSV 1-2 Ajax.
Time stopped.
Then pandemonium—Ajax's players sprinted toward Andrei, piling on top of him, the away fans going absolutely berserk.
He'd done it. The match winner in the title race's biggest game.
GOAL SCORED - Match Winner vs PSV
Weak Foot: Elite finish with non-dominant foot (+0.3)
Positioning: Perfect anticipation (+0.2)
Overall Rating: 79.2 → 80.1
MILESTONE: 80 OVERALL RATING ACHIEVED
Status: ELITE PLAYER (not just prospect anymore)
PSV threw everything forward desperately, but Ajax defended heroically. When the final whistle blew, Ajax's players collapsed in joy and exhaustion.
They'd won the title race's most crucial match.
Final Score: PSV 1-2 Ajax
Match Rating (Andrei): 9.2/10
2 Goals (including match winner)
Complete performance under maximum pressure
Updated Eredivisie Standings (After 17 matches):
Ajax - 41 points (+43 GD)
PSV Eindhoven - 40 points (+34 GD)
AZ Alkmaar - 36 points
Ajax was top of the table again, controlling the title race heading into the winter break.
The dressing room afterward was jubilant. Players who'd given everything celebrated like they'd already won the championship—though seventeen matches remained.
In the mixed zone, Dutch media swarmed Andrei.
"Two goals, including the winner in the eighty-ninth minute. How do you explain your ability to deliver in crucial moments?"
"I don't explain it. I just try to stay ready, stay focused. The team creates opportunities—I just have to finish them."
"You've now scored against PSV, PSG at home, and Bayern Munich. Do you thrive under pressure?"
"I try not to think about pressure. I think about the next action, the next decision. Pressure is only as big as you make it."
"You're twenty years old—"
"Nineteen," Andrei corrected with a smile.
"Sorry, nineteen. You're nineteen and performing at elite level. Where do you see yourself in two years?"
"Hopefully still at Ajax, competing for titles. That's all that matters right now."
That night, back in Amsterdam, Andrei and Elena hosted a small celebration at their apartment. Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, and their girlfriends came over. They ordered pizza, drank wine (in moderation—Ajax had training Monday), and celebrated the victory.
"You're playing like a twenty-five-year-old veteran," Frenkie observed. "Not a nineteen-year-old kid."
"I feel nineteen. My body reminds me every morning."
"Then your football intelligence is twenty-five," De Ligt added. "The way you positioned yourself for that second goal—pure instinct. You can't teach that."
After everyone left, Andrei and Elena sat on their terrace despite the December cold, wrapped in blankets, watching the canal.
"Eighty overall rating," Elena said, having learned the system's language over months of Andrei explaining it. "That's elite, right?"
"It's professional elite. World-class is 85+. But yes, eighty is a milestone. It means I'm no longer just a prospect. I'm a real player."
"You've been a real player for months. The system is just catching up to reality."
Andrei pulled her closer, grateful for her perspective. She was right—he'd been performing at this level consistently. The number just confirmed what performances had already proven.
"The Round of 16 draw is in two weeks," he said quietly. "We could get Barcelona. Real Madrid. Bayern again. Any of the European giants."
"And you'll compete with them. Because that's what you do now—compete at the highest level."
"It's surreal. A year ago, I was hoping FCSB would give me a chance. Now I'm playing Champions League knockout rounds."
"That's not luck. That's talent, dedication, and smart decisions." She kissed him softly. "And it's only the beginning. You're nineteen, Andrei. You haven't even hit your peak yet."
That thought was simultaneously exciting and terrifying.
Season at Winter Break:
Club Appearances: 24 (21 starts)
Club Goals: 10
Club Assists: 15
Overall Rating: 80.1/99
Status: Elite young player in Europe
Next Challenges: Round of 16, Title race, Contract decision
The beautiful game had transformed Andrei from a prospect into a proven performer. From a kid with potential into a player who delivered consistently at the highest level.
But as his agent had warned: the hardest part wasn't reaching the top.
It was staying there.