The match ended.
AC Milan beat Empoli 1–0, and with a one-point lead, they secured the 2007/2008 Serie A title, making it back-to-back championships.
"Let's congratulate AC Milan! Despite falling short in the Champions League, they still claimed the league title. Milan once again showed their strong domestic performance."
"This season, AC Milan faced many issues, but overcame them all to finally reach the podium."
"Suker finished the season with 30 goals, once again becoming the Serie A Golden Boot winner!"
"Ambrosini, as Milan's captain after Maldini, will lift this glorious trophy!"
On TV, when Ambrosini raised the trophy,San Siro erupted in euphoria.
But the camera repeatedly zoomed in on Suker—undeniably, he was Serie A's biggest star, the face of the league.
"We hope Milan will invest more in the transfer market next season, patch up their weaknesses, and further enhance Suker's competitiveness."
"We have reason to believe Serie A will get better and better!"
Aldo Serena offered his heartfelt wishes.Even though he knew Milan was on the decline, people always live with hope.
The celebration at San Siro lasted over an hour.
Aldo Serena had also come to the stadium as a guest commentator, accompanied by Maldini.
The two of them intercepted Suker as he was walking past.
"Boss!" Suker greeted Maldini and hugged him.
"Congratulations to all of you,"Maldini said with a big smile.Even though he had retired, he still felt proud seeing Milan win the title.
"Hello, Suker!"Aldo Serena reached out to shake hands.
Although he was a Serie A commentator and often analyzed games, this was his first time meeting Suker in person.
He never got the chance before.
"I love watching your show—especially the one where you roasted Totti."Suker joked.
"But I've never roasted you,"Aldo Serena shrugged and smiled.
"With how I've been playing, if you roasted me, you'd be a hater."Suker laughed.
The two chuckled together.
"Tell us how you're feeling now!"
"Not much," Suker replied."Maybe I've won too many titles already."
That was a cheeky humblebrag, but he quickly added:
"Just kidding, of course. I'm really happy to win this honor. This season wasn't easy.We had a lot of problems and strong opponents.This championship is the best reward for our hard work—and motivation to keep pushing forward."
"It's my third season with Milan.We've won many honors together, and this club has given me a lot of warmth."Suker patted Maldini on the shoulder and said:"The only regret is the boss here retired. I think he could've played another year or two."
Aldo Serena looked at Suker in surprise.
Maldini was the kingpin of Italian football—with immense status.
In interviews, Maldini usually sat motionless, while Totti played the assistant, pouring coffee, handing him tissues…
In Italy, very few dared pat Maldini on the shoulder.
But Suker did—and did it so naturally, as if it was something he'd done a thousand times.
"Paolo, do you have anything you want to say to Suker?"Aldo Serena asked.
Maldini smiled:
"I've already said everything I wanted. All I can do now is wish him continued success in the future.Wherever he goes, he'll always have my support."
Hearing that, Suker felt a wave of warmth in his heart.
"Boss, I'm buying you pizza tonight!"
"Shut up!"Maldini groaned, thinking of greasy, buttery pizza.
After the interview, Suker and Maldini walked together toward the locker room.
"Have you made your decision?"Maldini asked.
Suker nodded:
"After the Coppa Italia final, I'll inform the club."
"Sigh…"Maldini sighed.
Even though he knew this day would come, he couldn't help but feel regret for Milan.
But he also knew: Milan couldn't keep Suker.
And if they couldn't, the least they could do was give him their blessing.
Those comments he made during the interview?That was the blessing.
In the locker room, the party was wild.
Everyone was spraying beer around, cheering loudly.
Pato pulled out a bottle of champagne, just as he was about to pop it, Kaká quickly stopped him.
"Don't open it—Milan's allergic to that stuff!"
Pato blinked, then realized what Kaká meant.
"Wait… so you guys did open the champagne before?"Pato asked with a gossipy look.
At that moment, Suker dashed over, grabbed the bottle, popped the cork, and started shaking it furiously.
"To hell with it!"
SPLASH!!!!
Champagne sprayed everywhere.The atmosphere became even more festive.
Although it was time to celebrate, the Coppa Italia final was still to come, so the celebration was kept within limits.
There were two weeks left until that final.
After that match—no matter the result—Suker would come clean with Milan.
Three days after winning the league, Suker's agent, Zorančić, returned from Croatia.
Since it was time to have a serious conversation with Milan, Suker wanted Zorančić with him.
And this time, out of respect, Suker chose to go personally, not just send his agent.
This wasn't like when he was at Dinamo Zagreb.
Back then, coach Besic wouldn't let him go, so Suker had to wait a full season.
But this time, he had to leave.
And he believed Milan wouldn't want to damage their relationship either.
"Over in Madrid, Florentino Pérez has already started moving."
"Already? That fast?"Suker raised an eyebrow.
Zorančić explained:
"It's not something that happens overnight.The pressure is building.The recent leaks have greatly damaged Calderón's re-election chances."
"But I get the feeling Mr. Pérez won't wait for the term to end,"Suker remarked.
Zorančić nodded:
"Exactly.From what I've heard, he's planning to oust Calderón around the winter transfer window."
He sighed and added:
"Calderón really isn't a competent president.If Madrid keeps going like this, they'll lose all competitiveness."
Four straight seasons eliminated in the UCL Round of 16.Even for Real Madrid, their reputation and influence have taken a serious hit.
That's not what Pérez wanted to see—so he was speeding up his comeback.
"Luka's side might actually win the Champions League this season!"
"Chelsea is strong!" Zorančić frowned."I hope Luka wins—but United must be careful."
"Relax," Suker waved his hand.
In the original timeline, Manchester United (without Modrić) still beat Chelsea in a penalty shootout.
Now that Modrić was there, giving more midfield support to Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney, things should go even more smoothly.
"If Luka wins the Champions League,and you win the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year,I'm already looking forward to Croatia's Euro performance,"Zorančić grinned.
This year's European Championship hadn't even started, and Croatia was already attracting major attention.
Not just for their impressive qualifying run—but also because of Suker's global influence.
Many teams saw Croatia as a must-defeat opponent if they wanted to win the title.
If you couldn't get past them, forget about the trophy.
"How's the reaction at home to the Euros?"Suker asked.
Zorančić slapped his leg:
"It's insane! Everyone's excited!"
"Croatia is all about the European Championship now.Everything revolves around it."
"When you go home, you'll see what nationwide support looks like."
Croatia had once reached the World Cup semifinals.
But in the Euros, their best result was the quarterfinals—in 1996, when Davor Šuker, Boban, and the golden generation made history.
But for today's fans, they wanted more.
This Euro would be the super platinum generation's debut on the world stage.
— Ballon d'Or and Fifa Player of the Year favorite, Suker— Modrić, United's midfield brain— Vukojević, Lyon's defensive midfield rock— Veterans like Šimunić and Šimić still holding the line
The team had balanced age structure, aggressive, passionate style, and now—they were the ones dominating matches.
Gone were the days of Croatia getting pressed into a corner.Now they were the ones pressing others.
And who doesn't love watching attack-heavy football, especially when top teams clash?
No wonder Croatian fans were dying with anticipation for this Euro.