With the UEFA Champions League final approaching, the eyes of the world turned to the Stade de France.
From early morning, Paris had already been engulfed in a wave of fanaticism.
Barcelona and AC Milan fans.
The Red and Blue Legion vs. the Red and Black Legion!
The Catalan vs. the Milan Dynasty!
This was bound to be a clash of titans.
After enduring the rigorous selection of the Champions League, Barcelona and AC Milan had finally made it to the grand stage of the final, carrying with them the focus of the entire world.
And with star-studded lineups—Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Deco, Maldini, Pirlo, Kaká, Suker, and others—the match had already been painted with the colors of "spectacle" even before it began.
"We're here to win this match. Barcelona has already won two domestic titles—both the league and the Super Cup. Now it's time for the Champions League!"
Faced with media interviews, Barcelona head coach Rijkaard spoke with confidence.
It wasn't hard to see the spirited demeanor of the Dutch coach.
As a protégé of Cruyff, Rijkaard took over at Barcelona through his mentor's recommendation and further refined the team's overall tactical system based on Cruyff's philosophies.
Especially after bringing in Ronaldinho, Eto'o, and Deco, he kick-started the era of Barcelona's Dream Team II.
Throughout Barcelona's rise, Dutch figures played a crucial role.
And Barcelona's tactical system was born from the foundation of Dutch Total Football.
Barcelona approached the Champions League title with a "who else but us" attitude.
In contrast, AC Milan remained extremely low-key.
Neither the head coach nor the players made any media appearances during this sensitive period.
Spanish media mocked them.
"They're as quiet as if they're dead!"
The Spanish press jeered at Milan's silence in the face of the match-fixing scandal.
At such a critical moment, Milan couldn't risk interviews that might worsen the situation.
The match itself was the priority.
As morning turned into evening, Paris became even more electrified.
The Stade de France was surrounded by fans of both teams. Roars of cheers and chants echoed through the air.
Crowds surged.
Arms raised like a forest.
Waves of shouting pierced the sky, igniting all of Paris's passion.
Meanwhile, Croatian media also paid close attention to the match.
Because of Suker's involvement, they couldn't ignore this Champions League final.
Ahead of the game, Croatian television enthusiastically promoted the match.
This was their super prodigy's first Champions League final!
Naturally, they would hype it up!
At this point, Suker had already become the leading figure of Croatia's young generation.
On TV, the commentator was passionately introducing Suker, as if trying to dig up every detail and anecdote about him.
In a villa in Croatia…
Modrić, Srna, Pranjić, Dujmović, Mandžukić, and Vukojević gathered together.
They sat in front of the TV, watching the game.
"Who do you think will win?" Mandžukić asked while biting into a sausage.
Srna took a sip of wine.
"I want to say Milan, but things are looking pretty bad for them."
As a Juventus player, Srna was right in the eye of the "Calciopoli" storm.
Recently, Italian football was in complete disarray.
Juventus was on the verge of collapse.
Ibrahimović, Zambrotta, Mutu, Cannavaro, and others were already considering transfers.
Escaping Juventus, escaping Serie A—it had become the theme.
"Where are you going next season?" Modrić asked. "Come to Manchester United!"
Srna chuckled.
"I'm not ready to leave Serie A. I've already reached an agreement with Inter Milan. Most likely, I'll be transferring there next season."
Mandžukić laughed.
"Suker will be happy. He can finally beat you up."
"Who beats who is still up in the air," Srna replied proudly.
Among the Serie A teams doing well despite the chaos, Inter Milan remained relatively unscathed.
Next season, AC Milan would definitely be impacted and weakened. Srna believed he would have a chance to "teach" Suker a lesson.
At Dinamo Zagreb's training ground in Croatia…
Head coach Basić and his assistant Jategenić sat together.
In front of them were some snacks and drinks. They watched the Champions League final on TV while smoking.
Jategenić exhaled a thick cloud of smoke and sighed.
"Just one season… and he's already made it to the Champions League final!"
Even for someone used to seeing talented players, Jategenić couldn't help but marvel at Suker's rapid rise.
Basić:
"He was already the core of Dinamo Zagreb. At Milan, he's almost become the core as well."
A smile played on Basić's lips.
Suker and Modrić were his calling cards!
One was personally developed; the other promoted from a lower league.
This not only proved Basić's coaching ability, but also his sharp eye for talent.
However, Suker's performance had exceeded all expectations.
Modrić was already considered outstanding.
But Suker went even further. He couldn't be judged by normal standards.
"Who do you think will win this match?" Atgenić asked.
Basić:
"Suker."
"But Barcelona has Ronaldinho!" Jategenić grinned.
The Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year—football's reigning god.
Basić:
"Only those who've coached Suker will understand. He always brings surprises. That's why I believe in him again this time!"
"You're crazy," Jategenić shook his head.
Milan was strong, but in such poor condition, no one could predict how much strength they could muster.
To still bet on Suker was blind faith.
In Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina…
Inside Bakic's tavern…
Oripé, Bakic, Mlinar, and others gathered again.
This time, they were much quieter.
Their eyes were distant and filled with disbelief.
In just a year, the kid had made it to the Champions League final.
God!
The Champions League final!
With their own careers having peaked in the Bosnian First Division, they couldn't even grasp what this level meant.
In both Barcelona and AC Milan, even a bench player could dominate any Bosnian Second Division team.
And yet, Suker was a starter in one of these teams.
Only five years ago, he was still a nobody.
His transformation was unreal.
"I don't even recognize this guy anymore…" Mlinar said with a bitter smile.
The little brat who used to follow him around calling him "captain" was now standing at the pinnacle of Europe.
The stage of the Champions League final.
He now bore the attention of the entire world.
Such contrast was hard for him to reconcile.
At the same time, Suker's old teammates and rivals—Suker Mazic, Kosović, Skolk, Boame, and others—were also watching the match.
Their emotions mirrored Mlinar's, if not stronger.
Suker had risen to a level they could never hope to reach.
A level they wouldn't reach even in a lifetime.
France, Paris.
As the stage for the Champions League final, police escorts led the buses carrying both teams to the Stade de France.
Roads were temporarily closed to ensure the teams arrived on time.
As the team buses arrived, two waves of deafening cheers erupted almost simultaneously.
As the most watched clubs in the world, both teams had arrived at the battlefield.
On screen, players began stepping off the buses.
Ronaldinho leading Barcelona, and Maldini leading AC Milan.
The camera zoomed in on each player's face.
Their expressions were all tense and solemn. Clearly, even these veterans felt the nerves of a Champions League final.
On the Italian commentary platform, besides commentator Aldo Serena, "Red and Black Saint" Crudeli was also present.
When Milan players stepped off the bus, Crudeli immediately cheered.
No matter how much criticism Milan faced, to Crudeli, he remained a Milan diehard!
Suker, Kaká, Shevchenko, Maldini, Nesta… their faces flashed across the screen.
None of them waved or smiled—just stern focus.
In contrast, Ronaldinho—with his big teeth and brilliant smile—seemed far more relaxed.
"They need to loosen up a bit. Don't let outside matters affect them. Playing well is the most important thing!"
Crudeli didn't know if he was comforting the players or himself.
But his words mirrored the feelings of all Milan fans.
Nervousness, unease, hope—all emotions tangled together.
So much had gone wrong recently—beyond their control.
But they still longed for the Champions League trophy!
They could only pray that Milan's players wouldn't be affected, and that they would perform at their best.