October 8th, 2011.
Summer was transitioning into autumn, and the scorching heat was gradually giving way to cooler weather.
With a clap of thunder, heavy rain began to pour down.
The rain washed over the tree trunks with a rustling sound, and leaves started to fall under its onslaught.
The autumn rain was bleak, carrying a moist and cool feeling in the air.
Inside the villa, Suker lay on the sofa, dozing off with the TV on.
Covered by a thin blanket, the sound of the falling rain was irresistibly sleep-inducing.
After a short nap, the sound of the door opening slowly roused Suker.
"This damn weather!"
Šrna shook the rainwater off his umbrella, left it by the door, and slipped into his house shoes as he entered.
Suker sat up on the sofa and stretched. "Everything settled?"
Šrna nodded. "All done!"
In September, the Croatian Football Association had initiated impeachment proceedings against its president, Davor Šuker.
They alleged that during Davor Šuker's tenure as president, he had accepted bribes for Dinamo Zagreb's benefit, providing conveniences and concentrating player resources within Croatia to supply Dinamo Zagreb alone, leading to a severely distorted landscape in Croatian football.
In fact, ever since Bešić took office, he had strengthened youth training, nurtured a series of young players including Suker, and opened channels to the five major leagues, establishing a player trading pipeline.
This laid the foundation for Dinamo Zagreb's dominance in the Croatian league.
But as Dinamo Zagreb won consecutive championships and continued to 'drain blood' from the youth academies and first teams of other clubs, these clubs and teams could no longer tolerate it.
They united to impeach Davor Šuker and target Dinamo Zagreb.
The matter blew up, even reaching the inspection departments, which launched an investigation into Davor Šuker.
Even Modrić, Šrna, and others were summoned as witnesses.
Suker believed this was simply a case of many individuals within Croatia being envious of the resources concentrated at Dinamo Zagreb.
But there was nothing to be done!
Who told them to start so late and have such poor management models!
Dinamo Zagreb had established its 'player factory' style and plan as early as 2002. Over nearly a decade, they had gradually improved and reaped the rewards, leading to their current achievements.
But they couldn't stop some disgusting individuals from trying to steal the fruits of their labor.
No one would agree to that in such a situation.
"That guy with the big beard was really annoying, always interrupting me and obsessively focusing on the 'bribery' issue!" Šrna shrugged. "How would I know if Davor Šuker took bribes or not? My testimony this time was mainly to confirm that my transfer back then was voluntary, not a forced transaction."
"Some people are just eyeing Dinamo Zagreb's player resources jealously!" Suker shook his head.
Šrna: "This time it was me and Luka. Next might be Rakitić's batch, then Kovačić's batch..."
He paused, then said, "Do you think Davor actually took bribes?"
"How should I know!" Suker waved his hand. "But whatever it is, as far as I'm concerned, the answer is no, I don't know! They won't get anything else out of me!"
Šrna smiled; Suker's reaction was exactly as he had expected.
Šrna rotated his shoulders and said with a laugh, "Feels much better now!"
Suker turned his head. "Feels better after losing?"
In the past fifth round, Real Madrid lost 2:3 to Sevilla away from home.
Thus, Real Madrid's winning streak was halted at 42 rounds.
"To be honest, continuing the winning streak didn't feel like a good thing!" Šrna shook his head. "I think you felt it too. Everyone was focused on the streak; it was too distracting. It was manageable for now, but if we reached the end of the season, encountered some brutal fixtures, or faced a choice where we had to sacrifice one competition for another, how would we choose?"
"Can't we choose both?"
Šrna: "One is the Champions League semi-final, the other is the league winning streak, compounded by lineup flaws due to injuries. You can only field your main squad in one. How would you choose?"
He paused, then added, "So, losing isn't necessarily a bad thing. At least it lets us play more comfortably."
Suker: "A loss is a loss, no need to find so many reasons! For me, as long as we don't lose to Barcelona, it's fine!"
Šrna turned his head. "The competition between you and Messi on the scoring charts is too intense now!"
After seven league rounds, Suker had currently scored 14 goals.
Messi had 15 goals, leading by one!
In the fourth league round, Barcelona thrashed Osasuna 8:0, with Messi scoring four goals in that single game, overtaking the scoring charts.
But Suker overtook Messi again in the subsequent two games.
In the sixth round, Messi overtook again with a hat-trick.
The competition between these two on the scoring charts was incredibly thrilling.
The third top scorer currently only had 6 goals!
But these two guys were already in double digits, showing how fiery their form was.
In the Champions League, Suker currently had 4 goals in two rounds.
Ronaldo and Messi followed closely with 3 goals each in two rounds.
Whether in the Champions League or the league, Suker was locked in fierce competition with these two.
Šrna always felt Suker was a monster; no one could defeat him.
But this season's Messi was truly something else.
His performances were too outstanding, and his form was still rising.
As for Ronaldo, his goal-scoring rate in the Champions League and the league was also maintained at a blazing level.
"Aren't you tired?"
Šrna looked at Suker and asked.
Suker took a sip of water and rolled his eyes.
Tired!
But what could he do!
If he wanted to suppress these two, he just had to score like crazy.
Especially this season, he absolutely had to defeat Messi.
He didn't want to lose to Messi in a peak-era showdown.
A single loss like this would leave his legacy incomplete.
Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang.
Šrna went to open the door.
Kaká, Benzema, Kovačić, and Carvajal stood at the doorway.
"Come in!"
Šrna pushed the door open, and the four filed in.
"This rain is getting heavier and heavier!"
Benzema said, shaking rainwater off his clothes.
Suker; "So why did you guys come here in the rain?"
"Boring at home!" Benzema shrugged.
Behind him, Kovačić and Carvajal also greeted Suker.
Carvajal wasn't familiar with Suker.
Although he very much wanted to get close, Suker simply didn't pay him any attention.
But Carvajal and Kovačić had a good relationship. They were similar in age and quickly became friends.
Through Kovačić, he had also visited Suker's villa multiple times.
Everyone sat on the sofa chatting.
Benzema said, "Starting next week, I can start playing in matches again."
After a long injury period, Real Madrid's main players were finally starting to return one after another.
Previously, Kaká and Ramos had already returned.
Now, Benzema, Marcelo, Arbeloa, and others would also be returning from injury successively.
This was good news for Real Madrid.
Suker and the others chatted.
Kovačić and Carvajal couldn't really join the conversation.
One was a substitute, the other was practically a nobody.
Kovačić was a special case at Real Madrid.
He had joined based on publicity and was scheduled to leave soon.
The other main players knew this, so they didn't really treat Kovačić as a teammate, but due to Suker's influence, they didn't completely ignore him either.
Without Suker, Kovačić would have had a very hard time at Real Madrid.
"Mateo, you'll be leaving in two months too, right?"
Šrna asked.
Kovačić nodded: "Žorancić has already negotiated it. Loan to Juventus in the winter window!"
Suker turned his head: "I've spoken to Pirlo. You can go to him with any problems you have!"
He paused, then added; "Don't embarrass me!"
This was the first time Suker had asked someone for a favor like this. Given his relationship with Pirlo, the latter would definitely do his best.
But if Kovačić's performance was too poor, even Pirlo's best efforts would be in vain.
Kovačić immediately nodded, indicating he would work hard.
At that moment, Kaká suddenly said, "A while ago, Pirlo publicly criticized Milan..."
Suker waved his hand: "No need to say it, it's normal. Probably didn't leave on the best terms."
Suker shook his head again, signaling Kaká not to continue.
Besides Pirlo, his other old teammates from Milan would also be making decisions this season.
Although nothing had been revealed publicly yet, Suker, Kaká, and others already knew their plans in advance.
Gattuso, Nesta, and Seedorf would transfer to lower leagues after this season ended; they still wanted to play for a few more years.
Inzaghi would announce his retirement directly after this season.
Since this was internal information, Suker didn't let Kaká continue.
Thinking of this, Suker couldn't help but sigh, Time is ruthless!
Back in the 2004/2005 season when Suker was still playing for Dinamo Zagreb, the then-invincible Milan was now aging.
It started with Maldini's retirement, and now Inzaghi and others were following suit.
In a few more years, these former teammates would no longer be seen on the pitch.
Before long, the doorbell rang again.
With the door opening, Bale walked in carrying large and small bags.
"Why can't I ever guess right even once!" Bale placed the heavy plastic bags on the floor.
"You're cursed!"
"I'm wearing a lucky necklace!"
Suker walked over to check.
Lamb, fatty beef, vegetables—everything was there.
On a rainy day, nothing was more comfortable than a hot pot meal.
This could also be considered a treat for the players early in the season.
Suker carried the plastic bags toward the kitchen.
"Wait for it!"
Soon, a steaming hot pot was brought out. Taking mutton from the boiling mushroom broth and dipping it in special sauce (sesame paste) was endlessly satisfying.
Suker, Kaká, and Šrna used chopsticks.
Kaká and Šrna had already learned how to use them from Suker.
As for Carvajal, Kovačić, Benzema, Bale, and others, they used a combination of chopsticks and forks to fish meat out of the pot.
They ate until they were full from the hot pot.
Everyone was satisfied.
After eating, these guys started playing rock-paper-scissors to decide who would wash the dishes.
It was Bale again!
"For fuck's sake..."
Bale looked at his fist, furious.
He was the one who bought the groceries!
And now he had to wash the dishes too!
But there was no helping it; he hadn't won a single game.
Bale reluctantly went into the kitchen to wash the dishes.
The others continued chatting.
"The next match is against Lyon in the Champions League!"
Suker asked: "Who's at Lyon now?"
Ligue 1 was currently in a transition period.
The era of Lyon's dominance was over. With the influx of financial backing, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) began splurging on signings, throwing money around Europe.
Under Ancelotti's management, PSG's performance was also steadily improving.
This marked the emergence of another future dominant force in Ligue 1.
However, at this stage, PSG wasn't yet at its peak, so the competition in the league with Lyon was fierce.
One was a rising nouveau riche!
The other was an established old guard!
One was arrogant and overbearing, the other refused to admit defeat—they were fighting intensely.
"Anyway, we'll be the ones winning!"
Benzema said with a proud expression.
Although it was his old club, he didn't think Lyon could threaten Real Madrid.
"Oh~~~" Šrna cried out strangely, laughing, "We'll blame you if we lose!"
"Why blame me? Shouldn't the blame go to the defense?"
Šrna nodded: "I'll convey your thoughts to Ramos and Pepe!"
Benzema grimaced: "Forget it! Just blame me!"
Šrna looked at Suker; "For the Ballon d'Or judging, media are all saying you have a big advantage."
Suker shrugged; "Maybe."
How could it not be huge!
Last season wasn't a major tournament year. Real Madrid won the treble, and Suker won the league and Champions League Golden Boot.
With that kind of performance and stats, not giving it to Suker would be pure fraud.
FIFA wouldn't do something that stupid.
It could be said that Suker winning his fourth Ballon d'Or was practically set in stone.
"The atmosphere in the dressing room feels a bit strange lately!"
Benzema suddenly said.
Everyone quieted down.
They instinctively looked at Suker.
Suker was taken aback: "Why are you looking at me?"
Kaká said after a moment's thought, "The relationship between Casillas and Mourinho is getting increasingly stiff!"
Šrna also said somewhat troubled: "There's no sign of easing between them at all."
"There's no helping it. Ever since Diarra was benched and then sold, Iker must be unhappy inside!"
"The conflict between club and country is the same. Trying to take care of both sides is already very difficult!"
"So why put pressure on Iker because player relationships are strained?"
"There's no choice. Who told Mourinho to do this?"
Carvajal suddenly said with a grimace, "Lately, the relationship between Catalonia and Spain has also become tense!"
Hearing this, everyone sighed.
In Europe, football was a deeply entrenched sport.
Just like the war that broke out in former Yugoslavia, the trigger was a match between Dinamo Zagreb and Red Star Belgrade.
In Spain, the relationship between the mainland and the Catalonia region was equally serious, with conflicts on various fronts.
Things had been relatively peaceful before, but after Mourinho preached his theory of hatred, leading to opposition between Madrid and Barcelona, the club rivalry began transforming into public conflict.
They were afraid that if Mourinho kept this up, even if Real Madrid took no action, the Spanish government might kick Mourinho out.
"Isn't Mr. Pérez taking any action?" Šrna looked at Suker and asked.
They couldn't contact Florentino Pérez directly, nor could they get information.
They usually learned inside information through Suker, given Suker's close relationship with Florentino Pérez, who often invited Suker to his estate for coffee and chats.
In response, Suker just shook his head silently.
In fact, Florentino Pérez must also be feeling headaches right now!
Both Mourinho and Casillas were important to him; it was like the palm and the back of the hand are both flesh.
Especially since Mourinho had already compromised by not demanding transfer authority, so Florentino Pérez had allowed Mourinho's actions.
Restricting Mourinho now would seem unjustified.
It could be said that as long as these two didn't cause too big of a problem, Florentino Pérez wouldn't intervene.
Suker also believed that, at the very least, no major conflicts would arise this season.
Of course, it also depended on how long Casillas could endure.
After all, this season, Real Madrid still wanted another Champions League title to match AC Milan's back-to-back Champions League wins.
That way, they would have the right to claim the title of 'Kings of Europe.'
For now, with a unified goal, they could still tolerate it.
But once they achieved honors and the driving force diminished, that's when conflicts would truly erupt.
"Forget it, let's not think about these things. Let's just focus on playing well."
Suker let out a breath.
Thinking about it now was useless. The most important thing was to achieve results in the present.
The Champions League and league were ongoing.
In December, they also had to go to Japan for the Club World Cup, aiming for the sextuple.
It could be said that the current fixture pressure was still significant.
Rather than worrying about these problems, it was better to ensure good form. Even if some bad situations arose in the future, they could withstand them and prevent results from plummeting.
The next day, Real Madrid returned to normal training.
The atmosphere on the training ground was still somewhat tense.
Currently, Casillas and Mourinho practically ignored each other.
Casillas had probably already given up on communicating with Mourinho and had started employing cold shoulder.
He believed that as captain, ignoring the manager was a form of pressure.
But who was Mourinho?
Did he care if you were the captain? In his dressing room, you had to listen to him!
Therefore, Mourinho still said what he needed to say. He didn't care if Casillas listened or not; if you made a mistake, he'd still pull you from the game.
Fortunately, Casillas' current form was still quite good!
Casillas' form truly began to decline in the 2012/2013 season when he was benched by Mourinho for the entire season, causing his form to suffer.
Later, in the 2014 World Cup, he was thoroughly dismantled by the Dutch team, leading to a decline in form thereafter.
Saint Iker was gone forever!