Training continued.
Now that Šuker and Kaká had clarified their transition goals, they began training with that focus in mind.
Stamina, ball control, passing — all needed to be adjusted and practiced.
In particular, Šuker generously started teaching Kaká his signature rainbow pass — a long-range, penetrating pass with a unique curve.
Since Kaká had chosen to become a supporting player, Šuker naturally had no reason to withhold any of his secrets.
Kaká's passing had always been limited to short-range areas. He couldn't send long, slicing passes the way Šuker could.
But under Šuker's guidance, Kaká progressed rapidly.
After just one hour, the results were already showing.
"Damn that talent!" Šuker muttered through gritted teeth.
Back then, he had nearly bled himself dry to develop this skill over a full season.
Kaká? Took to it like a duck to water.
"Next, we work on stamina. Normal training won't cut it. Tomorrow I'll borrow breathing restrictors from the club. Training under low-oxygen conditions is better for building endurance."
Kaká nodded in agreement.
With a clear transition path ahead, both now had goals and no longer felt directionless.
"Let's run," Šuker said as he stretched."We've trained all morning — I've got to shoot a commercial this afternoon."
"Still not done?" Kaká asked in surprise.
Šuker blushed slightly.
"It should have been done. But the director's super picky."
He never imagined that filming an ad would involve so many retakes of "Cut!"
A five-day job was now dragged out to seven.
"Let's keep going tomorrow afternoon. Should be done filming in the morning."
Šuker quickly changed the subject.
They started jogging around the field.
On the other side of the field, Pato saw them.
As Šuker and Kaká jogged past, Pato quietly followed behind.
He perked up his ears, eavesdropping.
"Looks like Filippo's got a new girlfriend again."
"That's not news."
"He doesn't want to settle down? He's not getting any younger."
"Who knows?"
"Haven't seen you doing many endorsements lately."
"Too many to handle."
Pato trailed behind, wide-eyed and curious, absorbing every word.
Šuker quickly noticed the tail and raised his voice deliberately.
"Guess how much my latest endorsement deal is?"
Kaká blinked — What endorsement?But seeing Pato behind them, he noticed Šuker furiously blinking at him with a "Play along!" face.
Kaká smiled awkwardly.
"How much?"
Šuker glanced at Pato out of the corner of his eye.
"One hundred million euros."
Thud!
Pato's legs buckled — he dropped to his knees.
100 million?!
His mind went blank.
His current salary: €2 million a year.
At that rate, he'd have to work 50 years to earn that.
"So this is what a top star earns…"
Pato stared into space, completely dazed.
He had tried so hard just to get into this league — and these guys were making money like it grew on trees.
What a blow.
Šuker looked back at Pato in disbelief.
"Seriously? That got to him?"
Kaká covered his face.
"He actually believed that?"
Šuker and Kaká packed up and drove off.
Pato? Still kneeling there like a stone statue.
The next day, Šuker and Kaká returned to train in the afternoon.
Pato showed up late — though technically not late.He'd assumed they'd be training in the morning.
Once again, he trained hard, hoping to impress the two big stars.
Even if they ignored him, he followed them around like a little shadow.
When training got dull, he'd shout to himself for motivation.
Day 3:Still no words from Šuker and Kaká.
Pato was deeply hurt.
Back at Internacional, he was the golden boy — everyone praised him, showered him with compliments.
But here in Milan? He felt worthless.
Still, Pato wasn't the type to give up.
He believed the two veterans hadn't seen his talent yet.
So he had to work harder.
Day 4:It rained lightly.
Pato figured top stars wouldn't show up on a rainy day.
But Šuker and Kaká not only came — they trained even harder.
During this time, Pato overheard a lot.
For instance, even while working on endorsements, Šuker was maintaining his training.
This shook Pato to his core.
That morning, because of the rain, Pato skipped his morning run.
But seeing how hard the top stars worked, he realized: he had no excuse.
That night, he did extra training on his own.
Day 5:Šuker finally spoke to him.
Pato nearly jumped for joy.
Even though all Šuker said was:
"Toss me the ball."
Still… that counted as interaction, right?
Pato tried to keep chatting, but Šuker went silent again.
Undeterred, Pato decided it was time to make the first move.
Day 6:Pato gathered his courage and approached Šuker directly.
"Let's train together!"
"What level are you at, thinking you can train with us?" Šuker shooed him away."Go, go! Train by yourself."
Pato was crushed.
He'd finally worked up the nerve — only to be rejected.
Day 7:Pato stayed away.
Maybe he was feeling down, maybe he was sulking.
Šuker didn't care.
Pro football isn't easy.
Some rookie thinking he can just buddy up with veterans before proving himself? Dream on.
That said, Šuker was keeping an eye on him.
The kid had potential — but he'd need to show it in matches.
Day 8:Šuker was finally free — work was done.
Now he had five full days before team training began for the new season.
And it was on this day that Pato approached again.
"I want to follow you!"
Pato spoke with all the earnestness of a little brother swearing allegiance.Kaká was stunned.
After being rejected by Šuker, Pato realized he was a tough nut to crack.
Still, he wanted to integrate into the Milan squad and needed a guide.
Šuker was ideal — second only to Maldini in the locker room hierarchy.
But too hard to approach.
So now, Pato turned to Kaká.
Friendly, warm, and a fellow Brazilian — maybe this would work.
Kaká looked at Pato, then glanced at Šuker.
Šuker just shrugged — clearly enjoying the show.
Kaká sighed.
"You don't have to do this. Milan doesn't have cliques. We're one team. If you want something, earn it in matches."
"You can train with us, sure. But we're teammates, not mentors. Don't make it weird."
Hearing that, Pato smiled.
"Can I visit your house?"
"No." Kaká rejected him instantly.
This kid really tried to push his luck.
Though he was rejected again, Pato didn't feel too bad this time.
Because for the first time — the three of them were running together.
Pato babbled nonstop, full of curiosity, asking about everything.
At first, Kaká patiently answered.
Eventually, he went silent.
He finally understood why Šuker didn't talk to this guy:
He's annoying!
"Hey, which bar in Milan is the most fun?" Pato asked excitedly.
Kaká frowned.
Asking about bars before even playing a match?
Šuker leaned over.
"Ask Filippo. He's the expert on that."
Kaká smirked.
"Filippo probably won't take him."
"Why not?" Pato asked, confused.
Šuker:
"Because you're a hillbilly."
Šuker still remembered Pato's terrible fashion sense when they first met.
Inzaghi prided himself on being stylish.One look at Pato's outfits and he'd probably flee in horror.
The next five days of training were full of joy for Pato.
Thanks to his persistence, he finally started talking to Šuker and Kaká.
Even if they didn't really want to engage with him.
It was still a small victory!
He felt he was slowly being accepted into the world of the big stars.