Chapter 207: A Perfect Debut

"God!!"

"Ten minutes, one assist, one goal! This is the efficiency of a Champions League Golden Boot winner—this is Suker! A super talent from Croatia!"

"He took just ten minutes to completely dominate the match, helping AC Milan overturn the score!"

"The only pity is that Suker's debut didn't happen at San Siro. I can already imagine the crazed cheers of the Milan fans!"

In Milan, areas where AC Milan fans were gathered had already erupted in celebration.

After a dull and tasteless first half, AC Milan suddenly came alive in the second half. With Suker pushing forward in midfield and attack, they scored two goals in quick succession.

In an instant, the score was reversed.

Ascoli couldn't even react before they found themselves trailing.

Taxi driver Paolo Hilda had his mouth wide open in shock.

Suker's performance couldn't even be described as merely excellent anymore.

It was nearly phenomenal!

One man tearing through the defense twice in a row.

An assist!

A rebound goal!

Is this the value of a Champions League Golden Boot?

So this is the kind of monster I dropped off at AC Milan!

"Paolo, you're a hero of Milan! You got Suker safely to Milan! Hahaha!"

A friend clapped Paolo Hilda on the shoulder, laughing out loud.

Paolo Hilda had become somewhat famous recently for being the first Milan fan to meet Suker.

And AC Milan fans were absolutely delighted with Suker's performance.

The only slight disappointment was that his debut wasn't at San Siro.

Back on the field, Suker celebrated with Inzaghi.

But as they jogged back, Inzaghi looked frustrated.

That was supposed to be his goal!

"You'll still pass to me again, right? Like just now."

Inzaghi was desperate for goals.

Suker was about to reply when Inzaghi cut in: "I passed the ball to you!"

Suker: "That was my rebound shot—you didn't even get an assist!"

Inzaghi pouted: "Pass me the ball again, and I'll introduce you to some girls!"

"Deal!"

Suker agreed instantly.

From then on, the game entered AC Milan's comfort zone.

Pirlo woke up!

Kaká began to make powerful runs!

The defense was solid again.

And with Suker orchestrating up front, the whole Milan side began to roll over Ascoli like thunder.

In the 81st minute, Kaká lifted a chip over the top, Inzaghi ghosted behind the defense, and smashed a volley into the net.

Of course, Suker and Inzaghi combined for even more chances—but many were ruled offside.

Suker swore it wasn't offside.

But without VAR, the referee had to rely on the naked eye.

Even so, AC Milan still sealed the match with goals from Inzaghi, Suker, and Kaká, winning 3–1.

When the final whistle blew—

Ascoli 1:3 AC Milan!

Suker had completed his Serie A debut, and turned Ascoli's home ground into a library.

By the 80th minute, fans had already begun streaming out.

Suker was ecstatic!

He'd finally shut those annoying critics up!

Smack!"Nice job!"

Smack!"Great match!"

Smack! Smack! Smack!

Gennaro Gattuso stood at the entrance of the player tunnel, smacking each Milan player hard on the back.

Every player winced in pain—those slaps definitely left bruises.

Even Ancelotti couldn't escape a slap.

Suker's eyes darted around, and he quickly sidled up next to Maldini.

"Captain..."

Maldini turned to look.

Suker beamed: "Nothing, let's go!"

The two walked into the tunnel together.

Gattuso saw them and squinted.

He noticed Maldini—who was the only one who hadn't gotten slapped.

Suker sped up to keep pace with Maldini.

Suddenly, someone grabbed the back of his collar.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Gattuso said in a low voice.

Suker pointed at Maldini and shouted, "I was discussing something important with the captain!"

Gattuso looked suspiciously at Maldini.

Maldini turned back. "I don't understand what he's talking about."

Suker's eyes widened in betrayal.

Maldini stuck his tongue out, and walked off with a flourish.

Gattuso grinned wickedly and dragged Suker back.

Suker turned and yelled:

"I scored and assisted for Milan! You can't treat a hero like this!"

Gattuso grinned wider, face growing more menacing.

He raised his hand.

"This is encouragement!"

Suker was outraged.

Smack!

"AAAAHHHHHH——!!!!!"

Back on the team bus, Suker squirmed in his seat, his back burning with pain.

"That butcher!"

He couldn't help but complain.

Kaká laughed beside him. "Gennaro isn't a bad guy. That's just how he shows love—the harder he slaps, the more he likes you."

Suker nodded. "I know!"

Gattuso was just an excitable guy. The man even slapped Ancelotti often.

And in the future, he'd slap Italy's national team coach, Lippi.

"If you don't like it, you could tell him," Kaká joked.

Suker looked surprised. "He's that reasonable?"

Kaká grinned. "He'll just find a different spot to slap."

Suker: "I knew it."

"Congratulations on your debut—scoring and assisting in your very first game."

Kaká added, "Weren't you nervous? I didn't score in Serie A until my fifth match—it took me a while to adjust."

Suker: "No nerves. As long as I know my role and understand the opponent's weaknesses, I'll find a breakthrough."

"You're really calm. My first touch in Serie A, my mind went totally blank."

Suker glanced at Kaká.

At this point, Kaká still wasn't fully confident.

He hadn't yet become the god-slaying force he'd be in the future.

That would come after sinking into Serie A's darkness—through the match-fixing scandal, team turmoil, and watching key players leave. Only then would Kaká truly grow.

After returning to the training ground, Suker and Kaká headed home together.

But that night, Europe exploded with excitement.

AC Milan's away match against Ascoli became the center of attention.

AC Milan was already a media magnet.

Falling behind in the first half, then staging a second-half comeback led by a red-hot Suk?

The press couldn't resist:

Milan Evening News: "Suker! A sensational debut!"

Apennine Daily: "Undervalued price—Suker stuns in his debut!"

Gazzetta dello Milan: "One goal, one assist—Suker saves Milan!"

Kicker: "Champions League stardom carries over—brilliant Serie A debut!"

Manchester Post: "Croatian genius lifts Milan to victory!"

That night, Milan fans were overjoyed.

Suker's dazzling display had filled them with hope for the new season.

They were curious: could Suker replicate his Champions League heroics at Milan?

One thing was certain: Milan had gotten a steal in the transfer market.

The next morning, Suker woke up to find paparazzi camped outside his door.

He went out to take out the trash, and spotted a car parked nearby.

Two guys inside pretended to be asleep.

Cameras on the seats gave away their real job.

"I'm being tailed by paparazzi now?"

Suker walked over to Kaká's place.

Kaká made him some coffee.

"That's normal. It means you're famous now!"

Suker looked at him. "Why aren't they following you?"

Kaká: "They followed me for a year and got nothing. Eventually, they gave up."

"What about Filippo? He's got tons of gossip!"

Kaká gave him a look. "No one cares about him anymore. His scandals aren't newsworthy."

Suker smirked. "So that means I'm next?"

"One year!" Kaká held up a finger. "That's about how long their patience lasts. You can hold out."

"I'm not you," Suker rolled his eyes. "Filippo promised to introduce me to girls!"

Kaká shook his head. "Honestly, his girls aren't that great."

Suker: "If he hears you badmouthing his girlfriends, he's going to beat you up!"

"Maybe," Kaká chuckled.

Suker shrugged. "I'm no saint. I'm not picky!"

Kaká laughed: "Says the guy who's still a virgin at 19!"

Suker coughed awkwardly.

"I didn't have the means before!"

Kaká smiled. "Suerk, what do you want most?"

"Money!" Suker said.

"Lots of people want money. But what do you want it for?"

"To live better. To be comfortable and carefree."

"That's just the process. What's your ultimate goal?"

Suker blinked and didn't respond.

Kaká handed him the coffee. "See? You don't know exactly what you want. That means you're responsible—and someday you'll be responsible for a family too."

Suker pointed at him: "You talk too much."

Kaká smiled: "When we get a break, let's go to Brazil. I'll get Caroline to set you up with someone."

Suker clapped his hands: "Deal! This vacation?"

Kaká grinned: "Depends on how well we do. Let's see if we earn a relaxing break."

Suker walked to the window and looked out.

"Why are those reporters still there?"

Kaká: "They'll stay about a week, then go home for a day, then come back to stake out again."

Suker nodded. "You've got experience!"