Paris at night was bustling with life.
Especially the Rue des Princes district, filled with bars and young people.Even at night, the area remained vibrant and full of energy.
When Suker and company arrived at Rue des Princes, it was already around 9 PM.
At first, Pirlo led the way.But this "noble gentleman" wanted to… go to an opera.
Opera, my ass!
Suker had zero interest and immediately vetoed that idea.
In the end, Suker called up Vukojević to get the inside scoop on Paris nightlife.That's how they ended up in the liveliest spot:
Rue des Princes.
"If we get caught on camera, it's gonna be bad,"Kaká still sounded a little worried.
"You're such a chicken,"Suker said irritably.
"Are footballers not allowed to have private lives?"
"We're still in the middle of the league season!" Kaká replied.
"We're not even drinking. Who's gonna prove we are?"
As he spoke, Suker pointed to a neon-lit sign ahead—
"Eden Bar."
"This is the place!"
He walked up confidently. There were security guards at the entrance.
Suker leaned in and whispered something, and the guards let them in.
"What did you say to him?" Kaká asked, curious.
"I told him my teammate has VIP status here!"
Suker was a little annoyed saying that—
Who would've thought that Vukojević, who plays for Lyon,would have VIP access to a bar in Paris?
He always seemed so honest—Turns out he knows how to party!
The three were led by staff through a small side door into a private area.
And just as they stepped in—
They saw a very familiar face.
Dark skin, luxury clothing, a baseball cap, and that trademark buck-toothed smile.
Kaká blurted out instinctively:
"Ronaldinho!"
Ronaldinho turned and saw Kaká, just as surprised.
But he quickly smiled and walked over.
First he gave Kaká a big hug, then greeted Suker and Pirlo.
"Good evening!"
"Evening!" Suker replied with a smile.
Classic Ronaldinho—Even while in town for the Ballon d'Or, he still found time to hit the bars.
Kaká chatted briefly with him.
Ronaldinho then invited them to his private booth.
Kaká and Pirlo instinctively looked at Suker.
Suker smiled politely:
"Maybe next time. We'll just sit for a bit and head out soon."
Even if they were going to party, Suker didn't want to get mixed up with Ronaldinho, the king of nightlife.
"Suker and friends spotted at a bar" and "Suker seen partying with Ronaldinho" were two very different headlines.
The real problem is right here.
"A shame," Ronaldinho said, genuinely disappointed.
He loved making new friends, especially ones he hadn't partied with before.
After parting ways, the trio settled into their booth.
They ordered some food and light drinks.
Even if they were drinking, they'd only sip a little—just a taste.
"Didn't expect to run into him here," Kaká said with a hint of emotion.
Suker could tell there was a note of regret in his voice.
After all, Ronaldinho's talent was undeniable.If he had stayed focused, he could've been a football god.
Sadly, he couldn't resist temptation.
And it wasn't just Kaká who felt that way.
In the future, countless fans would mourn the wasted potential of "the magician."
"If a professional can't control his desires,even success is fleeting," Suker said quietly.
He opened a bottle of whiskey, dropped ice into three glasses, and poured.
"If someone can't respect themselves,there's no reason for others to pity them."
Kaká nodded in full agreement.
"Alright then!"
Suker raised his glass.
"To your future Ballon d'Or winner—cheers!"
That was a quick subject change.
"Shameless!" Pirlo rolled his eyes.
"Totally shameless!" Kaká agreed.
The three clinked glasses and took a sip.
Just then—a knock at the booth door.
They turned to look—
Ronaldinho had returned, holding two bottles of wine and grinning widely.
"Mind if I join you guys?"
Suker didn't respond right away.
Instead, he looked past Ronaldinho—
Behind him stood a nervous-looking young man, clutching a wine glass like a frightened animal.
It was…
Messi.
Suker smiled wryly.
Ronaldinho! You've gotta be kidding me!
You brought Messi to a bar?
Guardiola is 100% right to clean house.
"Hi, I'm Leo Messi. I'm from Argentina. I'm 20 years old."
Messi introduced himself, eyes darting, fingers nervously twisting together, feet fidgeting.
He kept sneaking glances at Suker—
Why was this guy staring at him like that?
Suker tilted his head.
He had heard of social anxiety before—
But this was on another level.
What kind of elementary school intro was that!?
"He's my teammate at Barcelona," Ronaldinho said proudly. "Don't underestimate him—this little guy has some serious skill!"
Messi was already a rising star. Pirlo and Kaká knew of him.
Suker was still staring at Messi.
It was the first time he'd seen him up close.
Compared to the future "GOAT Messi," this Messi was just a shy young man.
He squirmed in his seat, clearly uncomfortable in the bar setting.
He was probably dragged here by Ronaldinho and didn't want to ruin his mood.
See? This is why Guardiola had to lay down the law.
This kid was supposed to be the future King of Barcelona.
If Ronaldinho turned him into a party boy, it would've been a disaster.
As Suker kept staring, Messi finally couldn't take it anymore.
"Is there… something on my face?"
Suker blinked, then smirked playfully.
"No. I just saw you holding your phone—were you texting your girlfriend?"
"N-no!" Messi panicked, glancing at Ronaldinho for help.
But Ronaldinho was deep in conversation with Kaká and Pirlo, ignoring him.
"S-she's not my girlfriend… I haven't… I haven't confessed yet."
Suker smiled knowingly.
Probably Antonella, huh?
He dipped a chicken nugget into ketchup and asked:
"So how far have you two gotten?"
"We're just friends!" Messi looked confused.Why am I even telling him this?
"You're not bold enough. Not confident," Suker said, encouraging him. "Girls usually wait. If you don't make a move, someone else might!"
"That won't happen!" Messi suddenly shouted.
The booth fell silent.
Messi's face turned bright red.
Suker waved it off with a grin:
"Relax. We're not arguing. I'm just teaching him how to pick up girls!"
"Pick up girls?" Kaká looked over. "Aren't you the one who's only had one girlfriend? Weren't you still a vi—"
"Shut it!" Suker shoved a nugget in Kaká's mouth."You're one to talk! After you got married, you've been totally lifeless. All my pep talks were for nothi—"
"Alright, alright!" Kaká clamped a hand over Suker's mouth and laughed awkwardly.
"Let's just keep talking!"
Ronaldinho chuckled:
"You guys are really close."
Pirlo just shrugged.
After Kaká let go, Suker turned back to Messi.
"You need courage, man! What does a man need most?"
Messi blurted out:
"Confidence?"
Why did I say that!?
Suker nodded seriously and handed him a glass of wine.
"Here—cheers!"
Messi looked at the glass in confusion.
"The whole thing?"
"Liquid courage!" Suker said."If you don't have guts, let this help! Drink it, then call her. Tell her you like her. Ask her out!"
"I-I…"
"Drink! Come on! You want her to get stolen by someone else?"
"No!"
"Then drink!"
Gulp. Gulp.
He drank it all.
Messi exhaled.
Still scared.
He looked up at Suker.
Suker let out a wine-fueled burp.
"Five minutes. Let it kick in."