With the conclusion of the UEFA Champions League, the club football season came to a close across the major leagues.
The entire world soon became swept up in the fever of the approaching World Cup.
Suker's spotlight for his performance in the Champions League lasted only about a week before it was quickly overtaken by the World Cup buzz.
The dramatic decline in attention was largely because Croatia had failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Even though Suker was ranked among the top three players in the "Top Ten Regrets Not in the World Cup," the hype quickly faded.
Star-studded Brazil—featuring Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Cafu, Dida, Juninho, and Robinho—was the heavy favorite to win it all.
Other major storylines included Ballack leading Germany, Zidane captaining France, Beckham with England, and the scandal-stricken Italy.
These were the hottest topics at the time.
AC Milan's post-victory celebrations were short-lived, lasting only a single day in Paris.
First, because the World Cup was imminent and most Milan players had to return to their national teams for training camp.
Second, because the timing simply wasn't right for celebration—Italian prosecutors were still aggressively pursuing charges.
Suker wasn't interested in any of that, nor did he intend to pay much attention.
All he needed to know was that AC Milan wouldn't be relegated.
But for other players, the atmosphere was full of uncertainty.
The preliminary ruling was that both Juventus and AC Milan would be relegated to Serie B, with Juventus also stripped of its last two league titles.
The turmoil rocked Juventus to its core, and star players fled the club in droves.
Though some like Buffon chose to stay and stick it out, they were in the minority.
The Calciopoli scandal left Juventus in ruins.
AC Milan wasn't much better off.
Their management was scrambling for damage control.
Although their situation wasn't quite as tragic as Juventus's, they were still in deep trouble.
The most pressing issue? Convincing players to stay.
Three days after returning to Milan, Suker boarded a plane home.
This time, he flew directly to Zagreb.
He could have taken a boat, but that would've been a hassle and a waste of time.
Besides, Zorančić had told Suker there would be reporters and media waiting to interview him. To save time, flying was the only option.
As soon as Suker boarded the plane, the Croatian passengers immediately recognized him.
Applause erupted throughout the cabin.
"Suker!! You were amazing in the Champions League!"
"Well done, Suker!"
"Welcome home, Suker!"
"When are you going to play for Croatia?"
"We're waiting for you in the national team, Suker!"
Clap clap clap clap clap!
The entire cabin erupted in applause.
The Croatian people welcomed Suker in the most passionate way possible.
Suker had become the shining beacon of Croatian football.
His early accomplishments were already being compared to—and even seen as surpassing—Davor Šuker.
Right after joining a major club, he had won the Champions League and was named the final's best player. His obvious talent gave fans hope and excitement.
Although Suker had played for Dinamo Zagreb in the Croatian league, he now belonged to all of Croatia.
Even fans of Dinamo's arch-rival, Lokomotiva Zagreb, applauded him.
Basking in the warm applause, Suker found his seat.
But soon, the captain's voice came over the intercom.
"This is your captain, Milelterčić, speaking. Welcome aboard this flight to Croatia's capital, Zagreb. I'm honored to announce that our flight today carries the future of Croatian football. His name is…"
"SUKER!!" the passengers shouted in unison.
More applause followed.
Suker was stunned and flattered.
All he could do was repeatedly stand up, smile awkwardly, and nod.
Eventually, the captain ended the announcement and gave Suker a break.
But just as the captain let him off the hook, the flight attendants started fawning over him.
Even though Suker hadn't asked for anything, the attendants came by every five minutes asking if he needed anything—much to his exasperation.
Now he understood why superstar players always bought private jets.
He decided that when he had the money, he'd get one too.
After surviving the in-flight fanfare, Suker finally arrived in Zagreb.
He had expected things to quiet down a bit upon landing—but the scene was even more intense.
At the airport exit, Davor Šuker stood alongside the new, rather rotund Croatian Football Association president.
Behind them were a horde of reporters and media with cameras aimed at Suker.
He even spotted a Croatian national television broadcast van in the crowd.
"This is a bit much, isn't it?" Suker muttered through a forced smile for the cameras.
Davor Šuker stood next to him, smiling as well.
"It's World Cup season—public sentiment is pretty low. Just help us shift the public's focus, okay?"
"You're using me!" Suker said through clenched teeth.
"Don't call it 'using.' As a Croatian, this is your duty."
Suker squinted at him suspiciously. "Did you set this up?"
Davor had been campaigning to become the football association's president, and Suker was sure he was using him to boost his own popularity.
"Smile! Smile!" Davor elbowed him.
After enduring a round of interviews and photo ops, Suker finally got in a car to go home.
While in Milan, Suker had asked Zorančić to help buy a villa in Zagreb so he'd have a place to live when he came back to Croatia.
Real estate in Zagreb was still relatively affordable, and Suker had more than enough money.
Riding in a private van, Suker and Davor headed to the new home.
In just over a year, Davor had changed a lot.
He now had a beer belly.
"You don't work out at all, huh?" Suker teased.
Davor took a sip of red wine. "I'm retired. Why would I still train?"
Suker shook his head and asked, "Why didn't you pick up when I called?"
"When was that?"
"When Bilic got appointed as the national team coach."
"Ohhhh…" Davor's eyes shifted. "I lost my phone!"
Suker rolled his eyes.
Yeah, right.
"Relax!" Davor waved it off. "We just didn't want to distract you guys during the club season."
"Do you know how anxious that was for me?" Suker sighed. "It would've been better to just tell me."
"But it turned out well, didn't it?" Davor grinned. "Look at you now. Champions League winner, Final MVP, maybe even named to the UEFA Team of the Year. Your market value is nearing €50 million according to Transfermarket."
Then, Davor suddenly added, "Need help transferring clubs?"
"Huh?" Suker looked up.
Davor replied seriously, "Zorančić told me you're not considering a transfer. Suker, this is no joke. After this scandal, Serie A is going to decline. You need to make plans early. Don't be fooled by Milan's 'family' talk. You need to think of your own future. If Milan gets relegated, you'll be playing in Serie B."
"I've already contacted Real Madrid. They're willing to pay the transfer fee. Just say the word…"
Suker immediately waved it off.
Smiling, he replied, "Davor, I really appreciate you always looking out for me. But this time, I want to make my own decision."
Davor frowned. "You're really not leaving?"
"No," Suker said quietly.
"Even if Milan is relegated?"
They won't be. Suker said silently to himself, then nodded calmly.
Milan won't be relegated.
Suker knew that for a fact—even though rumors and uncertainty swirled, and players were on edge.
But moments like this were when a player's value truly showed.
Milan fans were anxious and nervous—rumors of relegation, stars leaving…
This was the perfect chance to win over the fans.
There are plenty who add flowers to the celebration.
But few offer help during a snowstorm.
And Suker, a rising star with Europe's eyes on him, choosing to stay—this would earn Milan fans' gratitude and deep respect.
Plus, Suker had no reason to leave.
He hadn't even reaped the benefits of Kaka's rise yet.
Next season, Kaka would explode—and Suker could ride that wave to another Champions League title.
They would get revenge on Liverpool in the final.
At that point, Suker's status at Milan would skyrocket.
To the point where, short of Maldini, Suker could curse out anyone and they'd just take it.
Milan's darling.
Milan's prince.
He'd claim those titles too.
Glory! Fame! Achievements!
Why would he leave?