At the training base of Dinamo Zagreb, a U20 friendly match was underway.
Their opponent was an unknown club from Africa.
The young players were running hard, motivated both to stand out in this warm-up match and to impress their idol.
Suker sat at the front row of the stands, accompanied by Besic.
Though they hadn't met for a while, it didn't feel strange.
Besic still wore his usual white loose shirt and trousers, but looked thinner.
Obviously, juggling first-team training and expanding the youth academy kept him busy.
Nowadays, the Croatian league was increasingly dominated by Dinamo Zagreb — even more than before.
Two years ago, when Suker was playing for Dinamo, there were still teams that could challenge them.
But now, almost none remained.
Hajduk had also been drained by Dinamo.
On the pitch, Suker spotted many interesting faces — Kovačić, Brozović, and others.
Besic noticed and said, "They'll be promoted to the first team this winter."
Suker nodded.
Since Besic pushed for youth in the first team, the academy had expanded rapidly.
Dinamo Zagreb was now following the "European black shop" (selling young talents) model.
Phase One: Suker, Modrić, Mandžukić and others brought huge transfer fees.
Phase Two: Rakitić, Jelačić, Ćorluka also sold for good money.
Phase Three was Kovačić, Brozović, and others.
Suker felt Besic had almost swept up the entire next generation of Croatian talent — future national team stars.
"Soon, we plan to open satellite clubs in Africa and expand youth training there," Besic explained.
Clearly, he wasn't content with only Croatian youth resources and was now eyeing Africa.
"But our funding is insufficient — we need your help to promote it."
Suker nodded, understanding.
With Suker's appearance alone, no need to do much, a large amount of investment would come in.
"Are you interested?"
Besic looked at Suker, scheming a bit.
Suker grinned: "My football career is still going, so I don't have time to get involved right now."
He politely declined.
He didn't want to interfere with Besic's youth plan.
Also, with Dinamo's near-monopoly over Croatian youth football, other clubs had started protesting.
When that happened, Davo Suker (the Croatian FA president) and his interest group, including himself, were sued.
Modrić, as a witness, gave the infamous 'Three Minutes of Foolishness' testimony.
It was tough for Modrić, caught between his mentor and the Croatian courts.
Seeing Suker uninterested, Besic was helpless.
Having Suker's support would have accelerated their expansion greatly.
"By the way, Davor is running for Croatian FA vice president. Did he tell you?"
Besic asked Suker.
Davor Suker was transitioning to football administration.
Croatian coach Bilic and many friends supported him.
"He didn't tell me," Suker paused, "but his agent contacted me."
Besic sighed, "Davor really likes you."
With Suker's backing and his current popularity in Croatia, Davor's campaign would be stronger.
But Davo seemed reluctant to drag Suker into politics.
Although stubborn, he knew players should avoid political entanglements.
"So, what will you do?" Besic asked.
Suker said, "If Davor asks, I must help. But if it's his agent, I don't care who they are."
Besic smiled.
Suker clearly understood the political situation.
"I've also warned Luka," Suker said to Besic, "I don't want him or anyone else involved."
Suker was clear — Besic and others aimed to monopolize Croatian football resources, forming a Davo Suker-led interest group.
But that was their business.
There were many political factors, so Suker and his allies chose to stay neutral — no support, no response, no contact.
Suker could endorse his old club's youth academy, but not these interest groups.
"I guess this is why you came to me?" Suker asked.
Besic said, "Not entirely. If I didn't find you, others would."
"For example?" Suker raised an eyebrow.
"Boban!"
Suker smiled wryly.
He truly didn't want to deal with Boban's extreme democratization efforts.
Although Boban helped him join Milan, he gained many benefits from Milan, and now challenged Milan's management.
These were all results influenced by Suker.
Suker had paid back what he owed.
He even planned to stop renting Boban's villa after this year to cut ties with that trouble.
Besic understood Suker's attitude.
"No one will bother you anymore."
Suker breathed a sigh of relief: "Hopefully."
"One more thing!" Besic suddenly said.
Suker turned, wondering what else this guy had to say.
"What is it?"
Besic said seriously: "Help me open a transfer channel between Dinamo Zagreb and AC Milan. You can make that happen!"
Suker scratched his head: "I can only introduce you to the sporting director; the rest is up to you!"
Besic smiled, "That's enough!"
Suker sighed.
He stayed until the event ended, mostly to keep face for Besic.
That afternoon, Suker gave a motivational speech.
The young kids below were all excited and energized by his words.
Such "toxic chicken soup" (empty motivational speeches) Suker and Modrić were immune to long ago.
But the kids got hyped.
Every generation had its own spirit.
After finishing the speech, Suker took a flight back to Milan in the evening.
Returning to the club, except for the last European qualifier at the end of November, Suker planned to devote all his time to club matches.
AC Milan was still in transition.
The team lacked stability.
Matches were unpredictable.
Especially with Milan's shaky defense — mistakes from defenders or miraculous goals from opponents could suddenly shift the score.
Suker was one of the guarantees for Milan to win matches.
Kaká could help, but hadn't fully adapted to his position and style yet, needing more time.
After Suker's return, Milan embarked on their league and Champions League campaigns.
In the third round of the Champions League group stage, after beating Lyon and Stuttgart, AC Milan hosted Glasgow Rangers.
Milan scored twice — at 30 and 53 minutes, by Suker and Pirlo respectively.
Suker was substituted at 65 minutes.
Everyone thought victory was assured.
From the 70th minute, Glasgow Rangers suddenly surged.
At 74 minutes, star player Barry Ferguson dribbled past defenders and into the penalty area.
Nesta's misjudgment caused a reckless foul — red card and penalty.
Ferguson scored the penalty.
From the 86th minute, Rangers, with the extra man, continuously pressured Milan's defense.
After multiple failed attempts, the rough Scottish team resorted to long balls.
Then, late in the match, defender McCulloch unexpectedly surged forward and fired a 25-meter rocket.
The stunning goal stunned Milan.
That miracle shot helped Rangers draw away from Milan.
After consecutive wins over Lyon and Stuttgart, Glasgow Rangers shocked everyone by drawing at Milan.
In the Champions League E group — known as the "group of death" — many expected battles between Milan, Lyon, and Stuttgart.
But Rangers' sudden rise threw everything into chaos.