Chapter 128: We Are Different

Dinamo Zagreb clinched the league title with two rounds to spare, bringing a collective sigh of relief to the entire team. Especially head coach Bešić. After this season, he could move forward with his long-term vision: To build a "club for the youth"!That was Bešić's goal. Dinamo Zagreb was not going to become a retirement home. The divide between powerhouse clubs and grassroots teams was stark. It was bad enough in the top five European leagues—elsewhere, it was almost impossible to break through. To maintain dominance in the Croatian league and bring in more funding, the team needed a continuous flow of money. And how do you get money?Bešić believed the answer was through young players. These young talents would step out from Dinamo Zagreb to perform on major European stages. Bešić wanted to turn Dinamo into the biggest export hub for football stars. Top clubs in lower-tier leagues weren't worth much, but talented young players? Their final destination was always the top five leagues. Dinamo couldn't keep them, and Bešić had no intention of holding them back. By consistently selling these young players, he could establish a pipeline into Europe while attracting more Croatian and regional talents to join the club. On one hand, he was integrating resources. On the other, he was maintaining competitiveness. That was Bešić's plan. And players like Šuker were part of its first phase. Clearly, Bešić had succeeded. In Dinamo Zagreb's trophy room... Bešić placed the new Croatian league championship trophy on a fresh display stand. Admiring the dazzling collection, a trace of satisfaction appeared in his eyes. Knock knock! The door was pushed open. Chief scout Jartegenić stepped in. "You're really here!" Bešić turned and asked, "How did it go?" Jartrgenić replied, "Some were smooth, some not so much. For instance, Hajduk's youth player Perišić—he's loyal to his club and doesn't want to join Dinamo. But goalkeeper Subašić, striker Jelavić, and fullback Strinić are interested." "A few days ago, I went to Switzerland. I successfully persuaded Rakitić and his father. He'll report to our team next season!" Artgenić added, "You gave me five names. I secured four out of five!" Bešić smiled in satisfaction. "Šibenik's backup center-back Šimunić and our youth player Ćorluka will also join the first team next season." "Six new signings... we'll need to offload some players." Artgenić looked uneasy. "Don't tell me you're planning to sell Štimac and Jarni? You worked so hard to get them—it'd be harsh to sell them right away." "I'm not going to do anything stupid like Davor did!" Bešić grunted. "Their contracts expire next season, and they'll retire. I'm talking about other backups." "These new youngsters will learn from Šuker and Modrić." "Let's go back to the office." The two returned and briefly discussed the summer transfer window. Just then, another knock at the door. Jartegenić opened it. Standing outside was a young man in a suit, with a warm smile on his face. "Hello, Jartegenić." "Zoranić?" Artgenić was surprised. "What brings you here?" Zoranić didn't answer directly. "Is the head coach in?" "Come on in." Bešić saw Zoranić and sighed. "Niel, step outside for a moment." Jartegenić glanced at them and nodded before leaving. After he left, Bešić stood and gestured for Zoranić to sit. "Šuker and Luka sent you, didn't they?" Zoranić smiled. "I'm their agent. It's my job to help them resolve issues." Bešić stared at him. Zoranić kept smiling. Suddenly, Bešić sighed again. "Old Šuker's foolish move..." Zoranić blinked but said nothing. "I know why you're here. You want to know what I'm thinking—whether I'm willing to let Šuker and Luka leave. Right?" Still smiling, Zoranić stayed silent. Bešić sighed again. "It's too soon. What annoyed me most was that Davor went behind my back and negotiated with other clubs. He challenged the authority of the head coach. If he succeeds, who runs this place?" Zoranić nodded. "Davor Šuker was reckless. But that's not Šuker and Luka's fault. It's unfair to blame them." Bešić nodded. "That's why I said: this season, they're not going anywhere." "Do they still want to play in the Champions League next season? Ask your clients—are they really set on leaving now?" "If they leave, how will Srna and Mandžukić feel? They all worked hard together. Made promises together. Then suddenly they leave?" "They're all future teammates in the national team—are they really sure they want to do this?" Zoranić was caught off guard by this blunt and direct confrontation. But he took a deep breath. "Since you're being honest, I'll lay out our bottom line." Zoranić said firmly: "They must leave." Bešić snorted. "Even if they didn't want to, I'd still sell them—we need the money." Zoranić scratched his cheek. "If they win the league again, let them go." Bešić stayed silent. "League and Croatian Cup—double winners!" Zoranić added. Still no response. Zoranić gritted his teeth. "You really want Champions League qualification? Dinamo has tried 14 times—eliminated 4 times in the second round, 10 times in the third. Even Davor Šuker couldn't do it! That's not realistic!" Though Šuker had suggested it, Zoranić was trying to lower the risk. A league title and cup double should be enough. Bešić seemed too greedy. But looking at his calm face, Zoranić couldn't argue. Neither Šuker nor Modrić wanted to burn bridges with Bešić. Better to part on good terms. Finally, Bešić spoke. "Champions League group stage qualification—and they can go!" On the training ground... Zoranić stood before Šuker and Modrić. "There's no room for negotiation. Only if you qualify for the Champions League group stage can you leave." Neither of them reacted. As if they had already accepted the condition. "Don't you think this is absurd?" Zoranić asked, anxious. "Am I the only one who's freaking out?" Šuker looked at him. "Why panic? We just need to qualify for the Champions League." Modrić nodded in agreement. "That's the Champions League group stage!" Zoranić exclaimed. "Do you know what that means? Dinamo has failed 14 times in 14 years!" "You don't realize how hard this is!" Šuker looked at him. "Have you heard the saying 'frog in a well'?" "What?" "A saying. The frog sees only the sky above the well and thinks that's all there is. Don't be limited by perspective—the future is for breaking barriers, not repeating the past!" "Others failed. That doesn't mean we will!" "To qualify for the Champions League, Duimović has run himself sick, Srna gave up his favorite games, Pranjić constantly hounds Štimac to improve his defense—and then there's Vukojević, Mandžukić, Luka, and me!" "We're training this hard for a reason! Don't dismiss that effort with a single comment!" Šuker stood up. "I admit Davor Šuker's generation was brilliant. They set a standard. But that doesn't mean their story is ours!" "We are not the same!" Šuker smiled. "Watch us—we'll blow your mind!" Modrić also stood up. "Just wait and see!" Watching them walk away, full of youthful confidence, Zoranić froze. Then he shouted, flustered, "Damn it! I'm just looking out for you, and you mock me!?" "Hahaha!!" Šuker walked away with a wave. "Here's another saying: 'The emperor isn't anxious, but the eunuch is!'" In May, the final two rounds concluded. This marked the end of the 2003/2004 Croatian League season. Players returned to their national teams to prepare for Euro 2004. Under coach Barić, the Croatian national team began its preparations. The golden generation was retiring—this new generation would now be tested. Could they continue the brilliance of the checkered army? That remained to be seen. All eyes in Croatia turned toward the upcoming European Championship. As preparations for the Euros heated up... At Dinamo Zagreb's training base, a group of young men waited eagerly for the new season. A new season meant a new stage— This time, they were ready to let all of Europe hear their voice!