The All-Around Center Forward

In the first round of the World Cup qualifiers, Croatia defeated Belgium 2-0, securing an opening victory.

In the second match against North Macedonia, Croatia opted not for a full-strength lineup, but rather a mixed lineup of substitutes and starters.

Suker did not appear on the field, instead sitting on the bench for the entire 90 minutes.

Croatia had no need to expend too much energy on North Macedonia.

Of course, they weren't looking down on them; it was just that the current Croatia team indeed needed more matches to temper its young players.

Young players like Kovacic, Brozović, and Radošević all needed to gain more match experience.

Especially with players like Suker currently at their peak, Bešić had to ensure that the young players grew up quickly to complete future squad rotations.

Both Suker and Srna were on the bench, while Modrić wore the captain's armband and played on the field.

Suker rested his chin on his hand; if there wasn't a major problem in this match, he wouldn't be coming on.

Suker's purpose was to be a reserve, to deal with unexpected situations, and with Croatia currently leading North Macedonia 1-0, he felt even more at ease sitting on the bench.

Srna also yawned and rubbed his eyes.

Suker turned his head, "Didn't sleep well?"

Srna casually replied, "Went home yesterday!"

Suker grinned, revealing a sly smile.

"Get lost!"

Srna said grumpily, "It's not what you're thinking; I just stayed up until the middle of the night playing games with my kid!"

Srna plays for Real Madrid.

However, Srna's wife and child were unwilling to leave Croatia, so they had to live separately.

Although Srna had tried to persuade them, it didn't work.

This was also why Srna was always conflicted about leaving Real Madrid.

He was a content person; once basic needs were no longer a crisis, he began to focus more on his family.

In fact, Srna had expressed the idea of leaving more than once.

And this time was no different.

"My child is already so big, but I haven't been able to participate in his growth," Srna said with some frustration, "If I wait a few more years, I'll completely miss out."

Suker also sighed inwardly.

Srna had his own considerations, and Suker couldn't continue to persuade him.

However, Suker still hoped that Srna would at least stay until 2014, making his decision after the World Cup.

Regardless of other factors, playing for Real Madrid at least guaranteed his form; it had the highest intensity matches, which was very beneficial for Srna's condition.

Of course, if it was for the reason of returning to his family, Suker couldn't continue to persuade him either.

You can't persuade someone on that!

Would he really make Srna continue to live separately from his wife and child?

As for the issue of Srna's family being unwilling to leave Croatia, Suker was also quite helpless!

"Just focus on playing!" Suker said, "You can't leave until your contract ends."

Srna: "My contract expires next year."

Suker was stunned: "Next year? You haven't renewed?"

Srna shook his head: "Real Madrid has been trying to renew, but I've been putting it off."

Suker: "They haven't offered better terms?"

"No! My salary has already increased." After a pause, Srna grinned, "And it's quite a lot. If it goes up again this time, I might actually be tempted."

Suker couldn't help but smile.

It was still a matter of being offered too much.

"Alright, enough about me." Srna waved his hand, "After this match, let's go find Daniel!"

Suker: "He seems to be avoiding us."

Srna sighed: "He's somewhat evasive, but it's understandable. We're still active in the Big Five Leagues, but Daniel had to return to Croatia to play due to injury."

"He doesn't want us to see his vulnerable side, but I think this isn't a good thing; we need to be more proactive."

Suker: "I know Daniel's home password!"

Srna turned his head: "How do you know?"

Suker shrugged: "What's so strange about that? I know all your passwords!"

As the two chatted, they didn't realize that the camera was focused on them, broadcasting live.

However, they were talking with their hands covering their mouths, so it was impossible to tell what they were saying.

Croatian fans regretted that Suker wasn't playing, but they also understood that Suker needed a rest; they couldn't rely on him for every match, or he'd be exhausted to death.

Meanwhile, in a large apartment in Zagreb.

Pranjic sat in front of the TV, watching his friends on screen.

His eyes were complex, and his expression was downcast.

Since his injury, his form had plummeted. Now, he had been dropped by his club and was forced to return to the Croatian League to play, hoping to regain a spot in the National Team.

Pranjic couldn't help but recall a few years ago, that vibrant period of his life.

That group of penniless teenagers, clamoring to embark on the Champions League journey.

How full of spirit they were then!

What a wonderful time that was!

In the blink of an eye, they had already begun to gradually enter the twilight of their careers.

But Pranjic hadn't expected to be the first to decline in form, the one forced to leave the Big Five Leagues.

He was indeed avoiding Suker and the others.

When they met, he didn't know what to say.

Moreover, Suker and those guys were considerate of him, so they wouldn't mention anything about the Big Five Leagues.

It would ultimately be very awkward.

Rather than that, it was better not to meet!

"And so, we congratulate Croatia on winning their second match, securing victory in the second round of the qualifiers."

In the dark living room, the TV screen flickered. Pranjic looked at the lights and cheers reflected on his friends, feeling envious.

"Congratulations to you all…"

Pranjic whispered, then turned off the TV, lay on the sofa, and stared at the ceiling.

His eyes held unwillingness, but more so, helplessness.

Unconsciously, he slowly closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Beep, beep, beep!

The harsh sound of the door lock echoed.

Beep, beep, beep!

Another sound.

Pranjic opened his eyes and looked towards the door.

He turned to check the time, 10 PM. Who could it be at this hour?

He didn't have friends at Dinamo Zagreb who would suddenly come looking for him at night, and even know his home password.

Creak!

The sound of the door opening, followed by a chorus of noisy voices.

"Didn't I tell you? This guy only has these few passwords. His social media, bank cards, they're all these same ones…"

"Why didn't you just ring the doorbell?"

"Ring the doorbell, my ass! Do you ring the doorbell when you come to my house?"

Suker, Srna, Modrić, Dujmović, Mandžukić, and others, dragging large bags, walked into Pranjic's home as if no one else was there.

They casually greeted Pranjic, who was wearing only shorts and looked bewildered.

"Good evening!"

"Good evening!"

"Sleeping so early? Sleeping my ass! Get up and party!"

"Where's the bathroom? I need to take a dump!"

"Is there cold water in the fridge? I'm dying of thirst!"

Watching his friends pour in, Pranjic was utterly bewildered. He never expected these guys to just barge in.

"Got a towel? I want to shower after I'm done!"

Pranjic instinctively pointed towards the balcony.

"Over there!"

After saying that, he recovered, turned his head, and yelled, "You're taking a dump at my house? And you want to shower?"

"We rushed here, no time to wash!" Dujmović lifted his smelly foot, "If you don't mind my stinky feet, I can also not wash!"

Pranjic was exasperated. He went to the balcony, grabbed a towel, and slapped it on Dujmović's face.

"Wash up, quick!"

"Alright!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Suker and the others were already sitting on the sofa, while some who couldn't grab a spot simply sat cross-legged on the floor.

Suker pointed forward: "Sit down! Don't be so polite!"

"Polite my ass!" Pranjic said, exasperated, "This is my house!"

"It's all the same!" Suker waved his hand and laughed, "Isn't yours mine?"

Pranjic narrowed his eyes: "Then is yours mine too? Give me one of your Ballon d'Or!"

Suker turned his head, pretending not to hear.

His friends' sudden intrusion completely drove away Pranjic's sleepiness.

By the time he put on some clothes and came out, these guys had already started setting out food in the living room, with various alcoholic beverages neatly arranged nearby.

Pranjic glanced at them, then came and sat cross-legged opposite them, asking, "Didn't you just finish a match?"

Srna nodded: "Just finished. What? Are you touched?"

Pranjic rolled his eyes, then suddenly fell silent.

He knew why these guys had come.

But he really didn't need to be comforted.

"Hand!"

Suker suddenly spoke, and Pranjic looked up and subconsciously reached out his hand. Suker immediately stuffed the wine bottle into it.

"Stop being wishy-washy! Just drink!"

With that, Suker raised his bottle and shouted, "This is for Daniel's housewarming party! Cheers!"

Everyone shouted, "Cheers!"

With that, each of them began to drink fiercely from their bottles.

Pranjic saw how everyone was acting, and he stopped being so sentimental. He tilted his head back and directly chugged a bottle of beer.

The knot in his heart was roughly untied by Suker and the others.

Pranjic no longer acted coyly and looked at Dujmović, saying, "Why did you switch to playing as a center-back?"

Dujmović replied, "Just tell me if it's stable or not!"

Pranjic couldn't help but smile.

It was indeed very stable!

Mandžukić, who was next to him, chuckled, "If he didn't adjust his position, he wouldn't be able to make a living!"

"Nonsense! You didn't score a single goal against me." Dujmović said proudly, "Loser!"

Mandžukić seemed to have his tail stepped on and immediately bristled.

"Tomi, let me emphasize again, it's not that I don't score, but that I am a pivot!"

"Then are you a center-forward?"

"Yes!"

"Should a center-forward score goals?"

"...Yes!"

"You didn't score, so what are you talking about?!"

"..."

Seeing Mandžukić speechless after being rebutted by Dujmović, everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Pranjic also couldn't help but smile.

These guys hadn't changed at all; they were still as noisy as before.

Although it was sudden, Pranjic suddenly felt that the feeling wasn't too bad.

Pranjic turned his head and saw Srna looking at him, seemingly wanting to speak but hesitating.

Soon, the guy suddenly turned his head and raised his glass.

"One more drink!"

Suker looked at Srna's pathetic behavior with annoyance and couldn't help but shake his head.

After a few seconds, Srna raised his glass again, ready to drink.

"Give it up!" Suker said exasperatedly, "Do you want to get yourself drunk?"

Srna grinned and winked at Suker.

There were some things he couldn't say unless he was drunk.

Suker rolled his eyes, "Agreed, we can drink today, but not too much, after all, the League is still ongoing."

With that, Suker looked at Pranjic, "You know why we came, right?"

Pranjic pursed his lips and nodded, "I know."

"Knowing is enough." Suker took a sip and continued, "Actually, we also know that you haven't given up. You didn't stay in the Premier League to collect a salary without playing, but instead returned to Croatia to play. This means you still want to continue your professional career, and you still want to adjust. I also believe that you can overcome this difficulty, but you didn't do this right!"

"What? Are all of us ungrateful? You leave the Premier League, and we look down on you?"

Suker said angrily, "We recognize you as a person, not a so-called Premier League defender. It's meaningless for you to be stubborn with yourself!"

Modrić nodded, "I have the same thought. When your form declined and you left England, I thought you would at least tell us. Never mind the others, I was in the Premier League. You should have at least said goodbye to me, right? But leaving without saying goodbye is unacceptable."

Dujmović said, "Actually, everyone was very worried about you. Some things weren't said because we were afraid of provoking you."

"But we are also very happy because you are back; at least you haven't given up." Mandžukić hugged Pranjic tightly, "Well done!"

Pranjic also couldn't help but smile, saying, "I don't know what to say. Actually, I discussed it with my mentor, and he advised me to go back to Croatia to play, and I agreed with his view."

"Staying in the Premier League might mean a higher salary, but I would definitely be cleared out. Rather than that, it's better to leave proactively."

Suker nodded, speared an octopus leg, dipped it in sauce, and put it in his mouth, saying, "After your surgery, your competitive performance declined, making it difficult to perform defensive actions like before, but this isn't all of your weapons. What you need now is a transformation!"

"I know, so I'm also looking for a new direction." Pranjic finished speaking, took a deep breath, and said, "Don't worry, I will return to the National Team before 2014!"

At this point, Pranjic looked at Suker and said, "We agreed, we'll get you a World Cup trophy!"

Suker was stunned for a moment, and the others also turned to look at him.

He couldn't help but scratch his cheek.

"What you guys are saying..."

Everyone couldn't help but laugh; it was rare to see Suker looking a bit embarrassed, which made them roar with laughter.

Once the words were spoken, the knot in their hearts naturally untied.

That night, they all slept sprawled out at Pranjic's house.

The next day, Suker got up and took a shower.

He came to the living room and kicked Srna, "We should go!"

Srna rubbed his eyes and yawned, "So early?"

"Something came up!"

Suker sighed.

Srna didn't waste words. After quickly getting ready, they greeted Pranjic and left.

As they rode to the airport, Srna couldn't help but ask, "What happened?"

Suker glanced at Srna, "I just received news this morning that through discussions between the club's senior management and Mourinho, both parties have decided to end their cooperation after the winter break!"

Srna was stunned for a moment, and then his expression turned grim.

Suker could understand; after all, Mourinho was considered Srna's mentor. From Inter Milan all the way to Real Madrid, their relationship was bound to be extraordinary.

Previously, when Mourinho encountered difficulties, Srna also rallied support for him.

Now, hearing this news so abruptly, he must feel uncomfortable.

The two boarded Suker's private plane and flew to Spain.

Throughout the journey, Srna remained silent.

He didn't speak, his brows tightly furrowed.

Suker also didn't disturb him.

After Florentino made his decision, his efficiency was very high.

It had only been a little over two months, and the issue with Mourinho was already settled.

However, Suker was curious about how an agreement was reached with Mourinho for a peaceful parting.

After all, 'resignation' and 'peaceful parting' are vastly different.

Mourinho brought Real Madrid ten titles, so he couldn't just resign directly, which would make all future Head Coaches uneasy.

After all, if Mourinho's ten titles couldn't save him, let alone others.

And 'peaceful parting' was much better.

On paper, it meant it wasn't a unilateral decision, but rather that both parties believed the cooperation should come to an end.

Currently, Real Madrid has not yet announced this news.

And when they do announce it, it will likely cause a huge uproar.

But for Suker, he felt relieved.

At least, this conflict that had lasted for more than a season was finally coming to an end.

Mourinho's departure would inevitably lead to the complete resolution of the conflict, and Real Madrid's locker room would also become quiet.

Upon arriving at the Madrid airport, Suker was taken away by Florentino's secretary, who was waiting at the airport.

As for Srna, he left by himself in a car.

The car was quiet, and Suker didn't ask any questions.

Florentino's secretary was very tight-lipped and would not proactively reveal any information.

The journey was silent until he arrived at Florentino's estate.

Besides Florentino, Suker also saw two familiar figures.

One was Leidepu, the Head Coach of Real Madrid's B team.

The other was a Real Madrid superstar from the previous era, Zidane!

"Long time no see, Suker!"

Zidane actively came forward to shake hands with Suker.

Suker also smiled and greeted him.

Suker turned to look at Florentino, who chuckled, "It's just a simple lunch. The chef has prepared it, let's go taste it!"

Suker looked at Florentino's back.

A simple lunch?

Believe him and you're crazy!

"You know about the club's decision, right?" Florentino ate a piece of steak, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and looked at Suker.

Suker nodded, "I received the news this morning."

Florentino continued, "Leidep will be the Head Coach in the second half of the season, and Zidane will be his assistant!"

At this point, Florentino looked at Suker and said, "I hope you all can cooperate well."

Suker understood. This was because he was afraid that Leidep and Zidane wouldn't be able to control the locker room, so he called him over to keep an eye on things.