Šuker's days were extremely uneventful.
Besides lying down, he was just lying down.
Sometimes, when he got tired of resting, he even thought about using a status recovery card, but whenever he remembered the weekly check-ups, he gave up.
A week had passed since the European Championship ended.
Now, Šuker could barely move around, and the pain in his tailbone had lessened.
According to the doctor, his recovery was going well.
Šuker wasn't sure if the doctor was trying to comfort him or not, but he wasn't overly worried—he was different from others and didn't get bothered by injuries much.
His biggest problem was simply not being able to move freely.
Over the week, news about Šuker's injury gradually spread.
The media initially expected the injury to be severe but didn't anticipate it would require such a long recovery time—almost half the season was lost.
Under these circumstances, the media started harshly criticizing Lahm, the culprit behind it.
Lahm, after a period of silence, finally couldn't withstand the pressure.
He publicly apologized with sincere remorse, admitting that he lost his mind at the moment and did something unforgivable. He didn't expect Šuker's forgiveness but sincerely wished him a smooth recovery.
Lahm's own knee was injured during the incident, though not as badly as Šuker's.
Zorančic stepped forward to respond on Šuker's behalf.
As Šuker's agent, Zorančic harshly criticized Lahm with words but also said Šuker had magnanimously chosen to forgive him.
Zorančic's exact words were:"Every player fighting on the European Championship stage is admirable. We're on different sides, so friction is inevitable, and injuries happen. Šuker did his best, and Lahm also had his responsibilities."
The statement was a long, eloquent piece that portrayed Šuker as a generous character.
Privately, Šuker was still shouting that he wanted to ruin Lahm.
But publicly, he couldn't say that.
After this statement, Lahm felt even guiltier and responded again the next day.
This time, his attitude was even more sincere, saying he intended to visit Šuker to seek forgiveness in person.
Zorančic politely refused, saying Šuker needed to rest and could not accept Lahm's visit.
Zorančic dared not let Lahm come!
If Lahm showed up, Šuker's crutches would practically smoke.
Lahm came in standing, but by the time he left, he might be lying down.
Thanks to this PR maneuver, Šuker gained even more fans.
He was already highly skilled and performed well.
Now his character showed generosity and kindness—making him a high-quality idol.
Of course, this "quality" was largely shaped by Zorančic's packaging!
At Šuker's villa, Gattuso came to visit.
"I can't believe you said that! Did you really forgive Lahm?" Gattuso teased.
Šuker lay on the bed, sneering coldly: "Let him come here and try!"
"Do you think you can take him now?"
"I'll call the boss and Nesta!"
Gattuso shook his head with a bitter smile: "The boss moved to the U.S. now. He said he doesn't plan to come back anytime soon."
Šuker sighed.
The conflict between Maldini and Galliani was irreconcilable.
Maldini wanted to stay as the club captain, but Galliani fiercely opposed him.
Maldini prepared for a whole season but was eventually pushed out by Galliani.
For a captain who devoted his entire career to Milan, this was truly disheartening.
"The boss retired, the owner left," Gattuso paused and looked at Šuker, "you're leaving too, right?"
Šuker was silent for a moment.
Gattuso sighed: "The management is not a unified block. Some news can be known early, like your negotiations with the higher-ups."
"I don't know what conditions you asked for, but this summer's two big signings were Ronaldinho and Beckham!"
Gattuso's expression turned bitter.
One was treated as a tumor and cleared out by Barcelona; the other went to MLS to retire, and now both are loaned here. Milan has become a retirement home for players.
What were Milan's signings like a few years ago?
They brought in Kaká from Brazil and nurtured a rising star in Italy.
They brought in Šuker from Croatia, aiming for the Champions League Golden Boot, and Šuker became Milan's pillar.
Last year, Milan signed Pato, who didn't quite match Šuker or Kaká but performed well enough to be among the top young talents.
But this crucial summer window's signings were Ronaldinho and Beckham.
Such a huge gap!
Šuker asked, "Are you here to convince me to stay?"
Gattuso waved his hand: "I'm not that selfish. Seeing Milan decline and become a retirement club, and you're only 22 with a bright future ahead."
"If you were Pato, I'd keep you. But you're Šuker!"
"To be honest, I don't have confidence to keep up with your pace, so I won't try to stop you."
Hearing this, Šuker relaxed.
"Ivan, thank you!"
Gattuso smiled and waved: "But I want to emphasize, Milan will always be your home. If you're unhappy anywhere else, just call me—I'll bring you back!"
Gattuso left.
Carrying a long package at the door, it seemed he wasn't going home but probably going fishing somewhere.
Two weeks later, Šuker could walk with crutches.
Although the tailbone still hurt, the doctor said recovery was good.
During this time, Šuker mainly did one thing.
He had a serious talk with Giselle Bonchien.
Their relationship had come to an end.
Taking advantage of the time, Šuker and Giselle talked it through and peacefully broke up.
There was no dramatic love story—just a process of mutual adjustment.
If it worked out, they could look forward to a future; if not, no need for ugly fights.
Both announced the breakup on their social media, thanking and wishing each other well.
Šuker was single again.
He thought he could enjoy some peace.
But the next day, Modrić, Duimović, Srna, Mandžukić, Pranjić, and Vukojević—every one of them—showed up at Šuker's Milan villa.
"Hey! How do you turn on this gas?"
"Turn to the left a bit!"
"Oh, this flame is so cool!"
"Drinks? Drinks?"
"Šuker can't drink, right?"
"We'll drink then!"
Šuker lay on the sofa, watching them treat his house like their own, messing around freely.
In just one day, they finished a week's worth of Šuker's food supplies.
"Hey, breakups aren't a big deal!"
"Exactly! Šuker, you have to stay strong."
"I know you're injured and now heartbroken at this tough time. It's okay—we're here for you! Cheers! Oh, you can't drink, Tommy! Come on, cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Šuker saw the mess and twitched his cheek.
"Did you book a hotel?"
"Hotel?" Srna looked back. "Why? Half will sleep at your place, half at mine!"
Srna sighed: "Breakups are painful. It's okay—we're here to help you through this hard time. Don't hold it in; cry if you want. Don't worry, brothers won't laugh at you!"
Šuker said: "First of all, thank you all so damn much, and put your phones away!"
Mandžukić scratched his head: "You're not crying?"
"Cry my ass!"
Šuker cursed angrily, feeling his tailbone ache again.
"Peaceful breakup? What does peaceful breakup even mean?"
"Isn't breakups supposed to be all tears and sorrow?" Mandžukić scratched his head and raised his phone: "Cry then, nobody's laughing at you!"
Bang!
Šuker smacked the paper bag over Mandžukić's head.