Chapter 369: Such a Big Big-Eared Cup!

Sitting on the grass by the river, sunlight scattered through the treetops, dappled on the ground and his body.

It felt warm and cozy all over.

Suker looked relaxed.Since the season began, match after match had taken its toll—not physically (he could handle that), but mentally, it was exhausting.

With the European Championship qualifiers, league matches, and the Champions League all lined up one after another, Suker remained the absolute core of the team. He could hardly afford to miss any important game.

"What a rare moment of peace…"

Suddenly, Luna pounced on him.

The dog was excited, tongue out, licking Suker like crazy.

"Damn dog! That's disgusting! Get off me!"

The man and dog wrestled on the ground.

Gisele Bündchen, sitting nearby, rolled her eyes.

Suker might've been yelling, but he wasn't actually pushing Luna away—that's what we call saying one thing and doing another.

Suker picked up a nearby toy ball.

The dog began spinning in circles with excitement.

Suker hurled it far, and Luna dashed off wildly.

"These past few days, you've had a lot of commercial endorsement offers. Zorancic is almost overwhelmed. Do you want me to lend you some people?" Gisele offered.

Suker nodded immediately. "Yes!"

Gisele's marketing team had, after all, created the world's number one supermodel.Suker had long been envious of their capabilities.

"Leit and the others are also interested in entering the sports industry. They can help you prepare marketing strategies. They're professionals, with global reach—not just in Europe. They can promote you worldwide."

She paused, then added, "But they want to sign a separate contract just for this."

Suker turned, surprised. "You mean, kick Zorancic out?"

Gisele smiled, "It's only for commercial publicity. That's all they want."

Suker rolled his eyes, "How's that any different? Aside from transfer deals, agents mainly earn from endorsements. You're basically going after Zorancic's bread and butter. You think I'd agree to that?"

Gisele nodded, "Got it."

Suker still looked tempted.

"Ask Leit if he's tired of working with models and wants to switch to football."

Gisele gave him a look, "Are you seriously poaching in front of me?"

"It's resource sharing. He wants my contract, but I can't give it to him. Zorancic understands football operations better—this isn't just about money, but also personal honors, titles, even transfer channels. Leit doesn't have those. He could work under Zorancic's company for now, learn the ropes. Once he's trained, I might consider ditching Zorancic."

Suker grinned.

Gisele raised an eyebrow. "Why does it sound like you and Zorancic are plotting to exploit Leit?"

"Is it?" Suker laughed it off.

Just then, Luna brought the toy ball back. Suker stood up and resumed playing with the dog.

Gisele watched him, smiling.

On this rare day off, they both enjoyed a peaceful moment.

As December rolled in, the fever pitch of European football gradually began to settle.

With the winter break approaching, most leagues were wrapping up the mid-season, except the Premier League, which continued uninterrupted.

In the Premier League, Chelsea and Manchester United were locked in a fierce title race.

Ferguson wouldn't just sit back and watch the arrogant Portuguese madman (Mourinho) clinch three league titles in a row. Arsenal, while no longer as dominant as before, still remained a formidable force.

Liverpool, Tottenham were right behind.

Of what would become the future "Big 6," only Manchester City was still lukewarm.

In La Liga, it was still a two-horse race between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Other black horse teams—like Sevilla, Deportivo La Coruña, Villarreal—occasionally caused a stir but couldn't shake the dominance of the two giants.

Real Madrid had started a restructuring under Capello, focusing on rejuvenation—phasing out Ronaldo, benching Beckham, and sending away Figo—clear signs of a youth-oriented overhaul.

Youngsters led by Sergio Ramos were beginning to establish themselves.

Barcelona was undergoing a similar transition.

Xavi and Iniesta were the two quickest to be promoted to the starting lineup.

Their presence strengthened Barça's midfield considerably, but the team's true star, Ronaldinho, was becoming a problem.

The guy was on the front page of Catalunya Daily almost every day.

If not already in a bar, he was on his way to one.

Ronaldinho was wasting his talent. His lack of discipline would ultimately ruin this football wizard.

The club hadn't really enforced punishment. Despite repeated fines and violations, Ronaldinho remained unbothered, acting like a superstar and dragging others into his mess—causing chaos in the locker room.

As a result, Barcelona, once dominant, was beginning to decline.

The same trends were seen in the Bundesliga and Serie A.

Bayern Munich had promoted Schweinsteiger and Lahm.

AC Milan and Inter had both built systems centered around Suker and Ibrahimović respectively.

The young generation was starting to step onto the historical stage.

The sun had already begun to set on the twilight of the gods.

A chaotic night loomed on the horizon.

And once the new dawn arrived, who would stand atop the mountain? No one knew.

But Suker had already smelled the chaos in the air.

A turbulent era was coming!

Old orders would be shattered. The veterans, once radiant, would step down from their pedestals.

And the newcomers would fight tooth and nail for the throne labeled "the best."

Boom!!

December 23rd – Serie A 2006/07, Matchday 18.

The last match before Christmas, and the final one before the winter break.

After this game, most leagues would go on holiday.

In this match, Suker was on the bench.

In fact, ever since the game against Inter, he'd spent more time on the bench, occasionally subbing in to stay in form.

Ancelotti wanted him to be well-rested and in peak condition for the second half of the season.

As of Round 17, AC Milan had a record of 15 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses.

The draws came in Rounds 14 and 16, both away games.

Yep, another damned parked bus!

Even when Suker came on in the 60th minute, they couldn't crack the turtle shell.

Against teams dead set on a draw, even AC Milan struggled.

That allowed Inter to retake the top spot in the standings.

Bad news, for sure—but there was good news too:

Kaká had exploded into form!

Starting in Round 15, the guy's performances became fiery hot.

Dribbling, assists, and goals—he carried the team while Suker was benched.

This was Ancelotti's plan: give Kaká more responsibility while Suker rested, and let him find his rhythm.

He didn't expect Kaká to improve this rapidly.

Since Round 15 (aside from the parked bus game), Kaká's attacking power had been ferocious.

Suker watched, blood pumping with excitement.

Damn!This guy's finally stepping up.

He'd waited half a season for this moment.

If Kaká hadn't broken out soon, Suker was going to cut off his supply.

Lazy freeloader.

Suker had roasted Kaká plenty.But now, it was all worth it. Kaká's form was visibly surging—and becoming unstoppable.

In the second half of the season, the "God-Slayer" Kaká would be fully online.

Suker grinned broadly as he looked toward the pitch.

Captain Maldini beside him asked, "What are you smiling about?"

Suker pointed forward.

"Boss, don't you see it?"

"See what?" Maldini looked—just an empty pitch.

Suker beamed, "That giant Big-Eared Cup—it's waving at us!"

Maldini rolled his eyes.

This kid's obsessed with the Champions League.

They'd just finished the group stage. Knockouts hadn't even started, and he was already dreaming of lifting the trophy?

But still, Maldini held some hope.

Suker and Kaká were in amazing form. If the defense stayed solid, why not?

If they won this Champions League, they'd make history with a successful title defense. It would also be AC Milan's eighth Champions League title.

And his own sixth.