Chapter 143: The Starting Line

Words : 1469 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

"The match is over! The match is over!!" "Dinamo Zagreb defeats Red Star Belgrade 1-0!" "We've successfully advanced to the third round of the Champions League qualifiers!!" "The boys played brilliantly tonight. In the face of adversity, they never gave up. They tried again and again to break through the opposition's defense!" "And of course, we cannot forget Suker!!" "He was the biggest hero of this match. Despite tight man-marking, Suker never gave up. Through relentless running, he seized a golden opportunity and scored a crucial goal for Dinamo Zagreb!" "This is our number 9, Suker! The unstoppable Suker!!" "He's absolutely phenomenal!!!" Commentator Kraljivic's voice roared with emotion. The Dinamo Zagreb fans in the stadium were equally ecstatic. In a critical moment, they prayed for a hero to emerge. And Suker answered that call — with a key goal using his left foot. That goal turned the tide, eliminating Red Star Belgrade and pushing Dinamo Zagreb into the third qualifying round of the Champions League. The entire stadium erupted with chants of Suker's name. Suker pulled Dinamo Zagreb back from the edge of the cliff. Suker!!!!!!!Suker!!!!!!Suker!!!!!! Amidst the thunderous chants, Besic gently pushed Suker forward. "Go on, go accept the applause you deserve!" Suker was nudged back onto the pitch. The moment he stepped back onto the field, applause poured in like a tidal wave from all directions. Tens of thousands of Dinamo Zagreb fans clapped until their palms were red, using the thunderous ovation to express how much they adored this boy. Suker stood in the middle of the pitch with a brilliant smile, constantly looking around, soaking in this moment and the surging cheers. Off the pitch, Modric and the others watched silently. Suddenly, Srna spoke, "We did nothing." Modric pressed his lips together. "Once again, we relied on Suker's goal. He's already done so much, and yet we still need him to win." Srna clenched his fists slightly. He was dissatisfied with his own performance. Mandzukic scratched his head. He, too, felt a little ashamed. Football is a team sport, yet they were constantly relying on Suker. And this match proved it again. "Mandzukic!" Modric suddenly called out. Mandzukic turned toward him. "Starting tomorrow, meet me at the pitch at 5 a.m. You'll be receiving more of my passes." Mandzukic asked in surprise, "You're going to pass to me?" Modric: "Srna's right. We can't always rely on Suker — it's too much for him." Next to them, Dujmovic bounced a ball, thinking to himself that maybe it was time to train his long shots. One way or another, they had to improve. Not only to prevent such situations, but to be able to help when Suker faced difficulty. Regardless of the match process, Dinamo Zagreb ultimately secured victory. This win also meant they advanced to the third qualifying round of the Champions League. The next day, they returned to the training base. Due to the intensity of the two recent matches, Besic gave them a day off. However, for these ambitious young men, a day off still meant more training. The last two matches had shaken them to their core. When Suker was contained, they were powerless — and that left them deeply remorseful. So each of them bit down and worked harder to strengthen themselves. While his teammates trained, Suker was at the home of his agent, Zorančić, meeting an important guest. A guest from Italy. His name was Leonardo Araújo. Current Sporting Director of AC Milan. The fact that a sporting director — and from AC Milan, no less — came in person surprised Suker. He looked toward Zorančić for confirmation. Leonardo Araújo smiled and said, "Don't worry. This is a private meeting. No one knows I've arrived in Croatia." Only then did Suker feel relieved. "You wanted to see me?" Suker asked. Leonardo Araújo grinned, "Of course. I like every young man who plays good football — and I like bringing them to AC Milan even more." Suker looked at him. He knew that Davor Suker had introduced him to Arsenal, but he never expected the first to reach out would be someone from AC Milan — and a sporting director at that. In truth, Leonardo v wasn't having an easy time either. Since becoming AC Milan's Sporting Director, he hadn't achieved any major success. Instead, his rival, Transfer Market Manager Braida, had struck gold with a now-classic signing. That player? Kaká, currently playing for AC Milan. At the start, Araújo had co-signed Kaká's contract as sporting director. The media even credited him with the transfer. It could have been his legacy! But Kaká's agent — that bald bastard — loudly declared to the media that it was Braida who pulled off the deal. That agent clearly wanted to boost Braida's standing — and stomped on Araújo's reputation in the process. The media circus that followed turned Di Pu into a joke throughout Milan. Now, he needed a win.A signature achievement to prove his ability and worth. Coincidentally, Ancelotti had just handed him a transfer list — and Suker's name was right at the top. Leonardo Araújo smiled, "Kid, interested in playing for Milan? Competing alongside Maldini, Gattuso, Inzaghi, Shevchenko, Cafu, Nesta — legends, all of them! Believe me, the Rossoneri will not disappoint you!" An hour later, Suker and Zorančić saw Leonardo Di Pu off. As the car disappeared into the distance, Zorančić said, "You did well not to accept anything today." Suker turned to him. "Araújo is desperate. He didn't show it outright, but I could sense it. He kept trying to get you to sign a pre-contract — to bind you to AC Milan early." Zorančić smiled. "Maybe Ancelotti really wants you." Suker asked, "What about Arsenal?" Zorančić shrugged, "What's the rush? We hold all the cards now. Wenger wants you. Ancelotti wants you. That's one more option on the table. Let's see what they're willing to offer." "Even if you leave, wouldn't you prefer to leave Dinamo Zagreb with a better transfer fee?" Suker nodded and asked, "Which team do you think is better?" Zorančić: "It depends on the sincerity. We're not in a hurry. The Champions League qualifiers are still ongoing. If you make it to the group stage, your value goes up even more!" Suker rubbed his chin and said, "Actually, I'm more curious about what position Ancelotti wants me to play." There was no doubt about Arsenal. Either to replace Bergkamp as a second striker or winger. He definitely couldn't challenge Henry's position as center forward. Henry was in his prime — Suker wasn't ready to compete with him yet. But AC Milan? That had potential. Inzaghi was already 31. Time for a backup — or a successor. "Which one do you prefer?" Zorančić asked. Suker replied bluntly: "If all else is equal — AC Milan." Sure, Serie A was headed for decline, but not yet. Sure, a major scandal was about to shake Italy — but AC Milan still had results to show for it. Suker favored Milan because of achievements. Even relying on past glory, Milan could still contend for the Champions League. That's what Suker needed! The football world was about to descend into chaos — a changing of the guard. The era of the gods was ending. The era of the "Two Kings" was about to begin. Between 2005 and 2010, football would be ruled by brutal competition. Even a player as strong as Kaká would fall behind. And in the end, only two would stand out: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. They would open a brand new chapter in football. Suker wasn't here to drift along. He wanted to compete. So he needed an excellent team. With his current strength, going to Arsenal wouldn't mean he'd save the world. Besides, Mourinho had landed in the Premier League. The next few years would belong to Chelsea. With his small frame, could Suker really fight them head-on? He needed cards.High-level cards.That was his shortcut to growth. He couldn't fall behind. Cristiano Ronaldo had Ferguson and Manchester United behind him. Messi had the express train of Guardiola's Barça — a straight shot to the top. They all had powerful engines pushing them forward. And Suker needed that too. Even if it was the last breath of a fading legend — he needed to climb aboard and give it a shot! Before the curtain rises on this new era, he may not run far — but at the very least, he has to stand at the starting line!

Chapter 143: The Starting Line

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