The news of Šuker's transfer exploded like a bomb across the European football world.
As the strongest player in Europe at the moment—even while injured—Šuker attracted enormous attention.
Previously, there had been countless transfer rumors surrounding him, but most were just media speculation. However, this time, Real Madrid dropped a major bombshell, shaking all of Europe.
In fact, ever since the Calciopoli scandal, rumors of Šuker's transfer never really stopped.
Many people had even wondered how a declining AC Milan had managed to keep him.
In terms of salary, Milan couldn't even offer Šuker a top-tier wage.
In terms of honors, Milan had lost their competitive edge. Šuker had essentially been playing the role of a "director"—shouldering the bulk of the team's attacking burden.
Even so, Šuker stayed for two full seasons and delivered a legacy of brilliance for the club.
Now, the news had finally broken: Šuker would be leaving.
Rather than surprise, the prevailing reaction was: of course.
Though sudden, no one thought it was the wrong decision.
But for Italian football, Šuker's departure marked an earthquake.
It symbolized the final embers of Italian football's golden era leaving the Apennine Peninsula.
From the moment the news broke, all media coverage shifted. No one was paying attention to domestic leagues or the Champions League anymore.
Everyone was chasing after Šuker, hoping to hear a confirmation from his own mouth.
But Šuker remained silent.
Three days later, AC Milan suddenly responded.
Vice-president Adriano Galliani held a press conference, where he addressed Šuker's transfer.
At the same time, Šuker tuned in to watch.
In fact, Šuker had not been notified in advance.
Florentino's leak had come so unexpectedly that Milan fans were panicking.
So, Šuker knew this wasn't the right time for him to speak.
He had reached out to Florentino, who explained that this leak had been agreed upon in consultation with Milan.
Which meant: Milan was in on it.
That's why Šuker was now closely watching Milan's official response.
On camera, Galliani faced a sea of reporters and spoke clearly:
"Regarding the news of Šuker's transfer, this was a decision made after discussions that we believe are in the best interest of both parties."
Galliani confirmed the transfer rumors—Milan and Florentino had already reached an agreement.
Once Florentino became Real Madrid's president, Šuker's transfer would be set in motion.
"Since the Calciopoli scandal, our situation has not been as easy as it appears. Our finances, our transfer capabilities—all have suffered. Especially in funding, we have holes to fill. Milan needs money! That's the premise behind our discussions about Šuker's transfer."
Šuker couldn't remember having any deep conversations with the club like this.
Still, he was curious how Galliani would explain it all.
"Given the club's situation, and also considering Šuker's own career development, we held in-depth talks and decided to accept Real Madrid's offer."
Uproar.
Reporters buzzed. One journalist from Gazzetta dello Sport raised his hand:
"Can you disclose the transfer fee?"
Galliani: "It's currently confidential."
Another Italian reporter asked:
"Are we to understand that Šuker didn't want to leave—but Milan needed the money and chose to list him for sale?"
Galliani: "We had conversations. This is a mutually agreed result."
"So Milan is forcing Šuker out? Don't forget—he's your hero!"
Galliani: "As I said, it was mutual. Both parties were aware and made this decision."
"Can Milan publicly disclose its financial situation?"
Galliani: "Sorry, we cannot."
The questions came one after another. Galliani answered each one, and the press conference grew more and more intense.
Šuker watched in shock.
He had no idea what was going on.
Florentino's leak had framed the story as "Šuker wants to leave."
But now, Milan's official response had shifted the narrative to "Milan wants Šuker to leave."
Šuker didn't believe this was a PR blunder. Galliani wasn't someone who made rookie mistakes.
So why had Galliani done this?
Why help Šuker take the heat off himself and shoulder the blame instead?
Šuker couldn't understand it.
His agent, Zorančić, was equally confused:
"What's going on with Galliani's statement?"
Šuker shook his head. "I'm not sure either."
After a moment's thought, Šuker picked up his phone and dialed a number.
It was quickly answered.
A deep, charismatic voice came through:
"Good evening, Šuker! Or… afternoon for you, right?"
Šuker smiled at the sound.
"Boss, are you never coming back to Milan?"
"There's no reason to return right now," Maldini laughed. "Maybe in a few years."
After a pause, Šuker said:
"Galliani responded to my transfer situation."
Maldini: "I've been following it."
Šuker suddenly asked:
"Was it you?"
"What?"
"Galliani's statement is too strange. Even though I've always had a good relationship with Milan, they had no reason to help me like this—shouldering the entire responsibility and the pressure of this transfer."
Maldini laughed:
"Maybe Galliani hopes to buy you back in the future, so he doesn't want to burn the bridge."
"Is that even possible?"
Šuker sighed.
"Boss, just tell me the truth—did you have anything to do with this?"
Maldini: "I'm in the U.S., how would I get involved? And even if I wanted to, do you think Galliani would agree?"
Šuker paused. That was true—Galliani and Maldini had always been at odds.
They'd never get along, let alone do favors for each other.
"Alright then. Maybe I'm just overthinking. I'll visit you in the U.S. when I get the chance."
On a beach in Miami, USA, Maldini sat under a parasol, smiling as he nodded.
"I'll be waiting."
He hung up, then shook his head with a wry smile.
"That guy's nose is way too sharp…"
His wife, Adriana, looked at him curiously.
"Why didn't you tell Šuker the truth?"
"What truth?" Maldini feigned innocence.
Adriana sighed:
"Don't pretend. I overheard you talking with Mr. Berlusconi. Even if it was unintentional."
"You gave up your right to join Milan's management in exchange for Šuker's peaceful departure. You even asked Galliani to take the heat for the decision. This whole thing was your doing!"
Maldini: "It doesn't matter. Galliani didn't want me in management. Berlusconi didn't say anything, which means he supported Galliani."
"So it was a foregone conclusion. I just used that outcome to gain a little leverage."
"Besides, Berlusconi can't keep investing in Milan anymore. The club's financial situation is truly bad. They needed cash, and a high-profile transfer was the only way to get it. Šuker was their best asset."
"They claimed they wanted to keep Šuker—but never took any real action. Truth is, they wanted the money too."
"They had already accepted the fact that Šuker would leave."
Adriana sighed again.
"Then all the more reason you should tell Šuker."
"There's no need," Maldini said, gazing at the distant horizon.
The ocean and sky merged into one—vast and endless.
"This isn't about paying back a favor…"
He spoke softly.
Two summers ago, Šuker had told him he was willing to stay with them, even if Milan were relegated to Serie B.
Now, it was Maldini's turn to make things easier for Šuker.
Even though—in Maldini's eyes—this didn't even begin to repay the debt.
After all, Šuker had stayed, and in that brutal season, led Milan to both a Champions League and a league title.