At the banquet, Suker was naturally the star of the evening.
The 2007 Ballon d'Or winner, the leading candidate for the World Footballer of the Year.
Suker had become the focus of media and financial capital alike.
Throughout the night, he mingled and interacted with many influential people.
He also drank quite a bit—if it weren't for his stamina recovery supplement, he might have felt the effects more severely.
Around 9 PM, the banquet finally started to wind down.
Guests and players gradually left.
Suker and Gisele Bündchen exited the Paris Opera House.
"I'm going to see someone, I'll be back soon," Suker told Gisele.
She didn't object—she was tired too, and waved him off as she prepared to return to the hotel.
After watching the car leave, a black sedan soon stopped in front of Suker.
He opened the door and got inside.
About ten minutes later, the car arrived at a private club.
Led by the driver, Suker entered the venue.
Taking an elevator, he reached a private room on the fifth floor.
"Congratulations, your speech was excellent," Florentino Pérez stood up from the sofa, warmly welcoming Suker.
They had arranged to meet after the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
"Hello, Mr. Pérez!"
After shaking hands, Florentino invited, "Come, let's sit and talk."
Florentino personally poured Suker a cup of hot coffee and smiled: "I'm glad you chose me over Calderón."
Suker took a sip and smiled: "Maybe it's fate. I've always had a good feeling about you!"
Florentino laughed heartily.
Whether or not Suker was sincere, it made him happy.
"We've already discussed the main points," Florentino said.
Suker nodded, "Yes, I won't join Real Madrid under Calderón's tenure, but I have one request—when I transfer, please pay a sincere transfer fee. I don't want any disputes with Milan."
"Don't worry," Florentino smiled, "We'll offer enough sincerity to bring Milan's darling away from San Siro."
Suker hesitated briefly.
"I have another request."
Florentino asked, "What is it?"
"I know it's difficult, but after I transfer, at least within one to two seasons, I want Kaka to be brought to Real Madrid!"
Florentino was surprised: "I thought you'd say Modrić."
Suker sighed: "He's even harder!"
Florentino understood.
At Manchester United, Modrić was already the tactical core of the midfield, even more important than Ronaldo.
Sir Alex Ferguson wouldn't let Modrić go easily.
"As for Kaka's transfer, we'll discuss it later, but you've given us one to two years—enough time."
Suker nodded.
He didn't expect to take Kaka immediately—it would break Real Madrid's financial chain if he took both at once; the combined cost was too high.
Florentino asked, "Do you want to hear about the future team plans?"
For every famous player, choosing a club was a two-way process—the club chose the player, and the player chose the club.
Florentino wanted to showcase his vision for the second phase of the Galácticos.
But to his surprise, Suker waved him off: "I trust you can do well."
Florentino was momentarily stunned, but this trust pleased him.
For Suker, he already knew Florentino's plans—talking about them was just empty words.
"Let's talk about the important part!"
Suker became serious: "Real Madrid's situation isn't good, is it?"
Florentino's expression darkened.
"That idiot Calderón has made many terrible choices."
Currently, Real Madrid had only bought Arjen Robben in the transfer market.
Under Florentino's previous leadership, although results weren't stellar, at least the commercial value was there.
But since Calderón took over, Real Madrid had been declining.
"I mean in the league!"
Suker said firmly.
Florentino hesitated, then asked, "You mean Barcelona?"
"Yes."
Florentino smiled confidently: "Don't worry. We are Real Madrid. Last season, despite the difficulties, we still pushed Barcelona off the La Liga throne."
Suker frowned.
He thought Florentino was overly optimistic.
Of course, without knowing the future, anyone would be confident given Real Madrid's dominance in La Liga.
But Florentino didn't know about Guardiola's Barcelona—the Dream Three era, more terrifying than the previous Dream Ones and Twos.
The "Galactic team" nickname wasn't given lightly.
During the Tiki-Taka era, Europe was dominated by Barcelona's possession football.
Even Mourinho's Real Madrid couldn't fully rival them.
Barcelona's decline came partly from Guardiola's departure, and partly from internal conflicts that led to Messi leaving—a crucial factor.
But before that, Barcelona maintained very strong competitiveness.
Suker couldn't say this directly—he didn't want to cross the line.
Florentino disliked anyone interfering with club affairs, especially players meddling in management.
He was a self-centered man.
Suker saw no need to argue or cause conflict on this.
For now, during their honeymoon period, a gentle reminder wouldn't hurt.
For over an hour, the two talked extensively.
Florentino promised that as long as Suker joined Real Madrid during his term, he would strongly support Suker for future Ballon d'Or awards.
With Real Madrid's competitive and commercial influence, Suker understood the weight of this promise.
They parted on good terms.
The entire meeting was handled discreetly—no media or photographers captured any images.
Only Florentino's trusted aides and Suker knew about this secret meeting.
The next day, Suker woke early to pack.
After the Ballon d'Or, he had to hurry back to Croatia to prepare for the European Championship qualifiers.
Holding his suitcase in one hand and the Ballon d'Or trophy in the other, Suker appeared at the airport.
Reporters swarmed him along the way, snapping photos nonstop.
Since winning the Ballon d'Or, Suker's fame and influence soared.
He returned to Croatia with Modrić.
But now Suker's reputation was so huge that Modrić was somewhat overshadowed.
Modrić didn't mind—he enjoyed the break.
When they arrived in Zagreb, passionate Croatian fans surrounded them.
"Suker!!!"
"Suker!!!"
"Suker!!!"
Zagreb airport was overrun by fans shouting wildly.
When Suker lifted the Ballon d'Or, the cheers grew even louder.
Thanks to the arrangements by Zorančić and local police cooperation, Suker safely reached his estate.
When Suker got out of the car, police officers requested his autograph—many of them were fans.
Without a doubt, after holding the Ballon d'Or, Suker had become Croatia's national idol.
Suker had no idea how explosively popular he had become in Croatia.
At Zagreb train station, a huge billboard bore a simple message:
"If you want respect in Croatia, just follow one rule!"
"Suker is No. 1!"
This showed just how much Croatian fans adored and worshipped Suker.
No exaggeration—Suker's influence was gradually having a positive impact on Croatia as a whole.
Many overseas fans flocked to Croatia to pay pilgrimage at the clubs where Suker had grown—Dinamo Zagreb!