Vienna's Central Plaza.
Jorge Mendes arrived with his team from the agency, each person lugging bags and equipment.
They were here to launch a promotional event.
At this point in time, Mendes had not yet become the future super-agent juggernaut. He was still on the rise.
What he lacked was a blockbuster transfer deal to truly push him into the elite circle.
However, with clients like Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe, José Mourinho, and Nani, Mendes certainly had the talent and potential to make it happen.
Today, his event was promoting Cristiano Ronaldo at Vienna's Central Plaza.
Footballers battled it out on the pitch—and agents couldn't afford to slack off either.
"Place these by Gate 2. The cardboard cutout goes to the right side. Let's start the promotion."
Mendes was giving detailed instructions as the setup began.
This particular event was organized in collaboration with the local Vienna government.
They had managed to secure the busiest area of the plaza for the campaign.
Unfortunately, the busiest entrance, Gate 1, had already been taken by someone else.
Soon, as the banners went up and staff began directing people, crowds of tourists, fans, and locals started lining up.
After all, who would want to miss out on a free signed Cristiano Ronaldo jersey?
The promotional event quickly drew a crowd.
But then, from within the throng, a shout rose from the back:
"There's a Šuker promo going on at Gate 1! You can get free signed jerseys and posters! Hurry before it's all gone!"
Upon hearing this, some of the more hesitant fans wavered and then broke off, rushing toward Gate 1.
Mendes saw this and frowned slightly.
Thankfully, it wasn't a massive loss.
But only a few minutes later, another person shouted:
"He filmed a short video for us! Šuker said he loves this land—go see it for yourselves!"
Hearing this, many of the Austrian locals looked up in surprise—and then a wave of people left for Gate 1.
Mendes clenched his teeth in frustration but held it in.
Not long after, the same man returned and yelled again:
"They're giving out Modrić's signed jersey too! Two free jerseys total!"
This time, a huge number of fans rushed toward Gate 1.
Mendes was now so furious, he was about to explode.
"What the hell is this?! Straight-up poaching!"
At Gate 1.
Zorančić was orchestrating his own promotional event. Looking at the long line and electric atmosphere, a pleased smile crept onto his face.
Thankfully, he had come well-prepared. Otherwise, Mendes might have stolen the spotlight.
Not far away, Mendes was also looking in his direction.
Zorančić turned and the two locked eyes.
"Mr. Mendes, what a coincidence," said Zorančić with a polite but clearly smug grin."Yes, quite the coincidence," Mendes replied, his smile equally forced.
The two shook hands—all polite smiles, zero warmth—but somehow still managed to maintain an odd sense of cordiality.
"You're doing a promotional event?" Mendes squinted slightly.
Zorančić shrugged:
"That's what an agent is supposed to do. Promote his players. Didn't you guys prepare anything?"
Mendes's mouth twitched.
As if you don't know we're at Gate 2!
"We're at Gate 2."
Zorančić nodded:
"Knew it. Looks like we think alike."
Mendes fired back:
"I did sign Vukojević, but I believe football has no borders. He trusts me, that's why he signed with me."
Mendes thought Zorančić would be angry.
But to his surprise, Zorančić just smiled:
"Of course. Every player has the right to choose their own agent. Vukojević is Croatian, but that doesn't mean he has to sign with me. I agree with you—football has no borders.In fact, I just signed a player from Benfica—an Argentinian."
Mendes's eyes widened in shock.
"You signed the Angel?!"
By "the Angel," he meant Ángel Di María, the gifted Argentine winger playing for Benfica.
"After much hard work, Ángel agreed to partner with us."
"No way!" Mendes blurted out instinctively—then quickly fell silent.
Di María had been on his radar for a while. He had even initiated contact with the young, talented player.
But that year—2007/2008—Mendes was consumed with helping Cristiano Ronaldo win the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year, so he had delegated Di María's case to his staff.
But who would've thought—Zorančić beat him to the punch.
"What did you offer him?" Mendes asked with a frown.
Zorančić shrugged:
"He trusts me."
"Bullshit!" Mendes finally snapped.
Zorančić snorted coldly:
"If you're going to reach into someone else's bowl, be prepared to get burned."
Mendes and Zorančić—Europe's two fastest-rising super agents.
One backed by Cristiano Ronaldo.
The other backed by Šuker.
Their agencies were roughly equal in scale, and both were eyeing the top tier of sports management.
As a result, it was inevitable that their relationship would remain tense.
"Damn! That felt good! Seeing that bastard face go pale made my day.He secretly signed Vukojević, dared to reach into my territory—no way I was letting that go without payback!"
Zorančić was on the phone, gloating.
Šuker:
"So… you really signed Di María?"
"Damn right I did. Cost me a bit, but I got him.""That bastard thinks Portugal is his turf—what, I can't poach talent there?"
Šuker:
"What exactly did you offer him?"
Ángel Di María—a criminally underrated player whose skill far exceeded his fame.
He was a big-game player—the kind who always scored in crucial finals. A true clutch performer.
Though Šuker had a good relationship with Vukojević, Zorančić's trade was clearly a big win.
"I promised I'd get him transferred to Real Madrid. If I fail, he can terminate the contract immediately—and I'll even pay him compensation."
Šuker grinned:
"You really went all in for Di María, huh?"
"Look, I don't like Mendes, but the man has a sharp eye. The players he targets are never weak.And getting a player into Real Madrid isn't that hard. Once you're negotiating, toss Di María in as a 'package add-on'—Florentino Pérez will agree to it."
"If he performs, great. If not, I'll loan him out after half a season. That's all manageable."
Zorančić beamed with satisfaction:
"Anyway, I've already fulfilled my promise. And once he joins Madrid and sees what I can do, he'll stick with me long-term."
Šuker couldn't help but smile too.
This guy has Di María completely in his pocket.
Then Zorančić said:
"By the way, did you hear the latest news?"
"What news?" Šuker asked.
Zorančić's expression turned serious:
"Ancelotti is terminating his contract."
"What?!"
Šuker's voice jumped an octave. He didn't expect this at all.
In the original timeline, Ancelotti didn't leave until the summer of 2009.
But now he was leaving early?
"How did this happen?" Šuker asked.
Zorančić explained:
"From what I've heard, he made some transfer requests to Milan's board, but they didn't support him. Milan wasn't willing to fund the moves.That led to a big fight between him and Galliani, and they decided to part ways."
Šuker grimaced:
"It's only been half a month!"
"Exactly," Zorančić nodded."So I believe Ancelotti had this planned. His requests were like a final ultimatum. If Milan said yes, he might've stayed. But they didn't—so he left, fast."
"But the boss's contract isn't up yet. The buyout clause… wait—Chelsea, right?"
Zorančić was shocked:
"How did you know? It hasn't been announced yet, but within agent circles, it's all over—Ancelotti will take over Chelsea next season, and Mourinho will join Inter Milan."
Šuker sighed and shook his head.
With Maldini retired, now Ancelotti was leaving.
Maybe Maldini's departure was what finally pushed Ancelotti to make his move.
Šuker now had a headache:
"What's going to happen to AC Milan next season?"
The collapse had already begun—unstoppable and fierce.
The early signs of instability were just the tip of the iceberg.
Once the foundational pieces were gone one by one, the entire structure was doomed to fall.