The All-Around Center Forward

"This has been a really great experience for me. We won the championship, and that result speaks for itself,"

"As for the future, I can't predict it. But I hope Milan continues to get better. I wish our beloved fans happiness every single day. It's not time to say goodbye yet—we'll see each other again in the league!"

Facing the cameras, Suker sincerely expressed his thoughts.

The reporters nodded in understanding.

But deep down, especially for the Italian journalists, it was a heavy moment.

Stars were leaving Serie A one after another, and now even Suker was leaving.

This was a massive blow to Italian football.

Suker had become a symbol of Serie A. His achievements gave the struggling league a sense of false glory.

Now, with his departure, it felt like the final straw.

Where would Serie A go from here?How would it recover its lost competitiveness?

As star players left, what could possibly fill the growing void?

It was all deeply frustrating for those who loved the Italian game.

May 23 – Round 37 of the 2008/2009 Serie A season.AC Milan vs AS Roma at San Siro.

This wasn't just any match.

This was Suker's final home game for AC Milan.

San Siro was packed with thousands of Milan fans here to say goodbye.

Even before the match started, tears flowed freely in the stands.

In four seasons, Suker helped them win it all:

2 UEFA Champions League titles

2 Serie A titles

1 UEFA Europa League title

1 Coppa Italia

2 Italian Super Cups

And that doesn't even count all the goals and assists.

When he first arrived, wearing the No. 99 shirt, he was a hopeful young boy.

Now, as he prepares to leave, Milan is losing its darling, its beloved son.

Fans across all four stands held up signs:

"Goodbye, Suker!"

"Wish you a safe journey!"

"Four unforgettable years—thank you for sharing them with us!"

"We'll miss you!"

"Don't forget us!"

"We await your return—Milan will always be your home!"

The camera zoomed in on these signs, causing commentator Aldo Serena to sigh deeply.

"Four years went by too fast... so fast that we didn't get to truly cherish them.

If we had known Suker was leaving, I think Milan fans would've treasured this time even more."

"In four seasons, he gave Milan so many honors. But I believe Milan fans love him not just because of how he played, but because they saw him as their own—that's all."

Next to him, guest commentator Tiziano Crudeli was already in tears, choking up and unable to speak.

The old man cried.

Serena had to continue alone:

"Milan fans are blessing Suker's future. They hope this San Siro favorite shines even brighter in his next chapter.

We, too, look forward to seeing Suker's brilliance beyond Milan."

In the tunnel, players were lined up to enter.

Suker stood at the end of the line. Though he hadn't stepped on the pitch yet, he could already hear the deafening chants of his name.

SUUUUUKEEERRRRRRR!!!!!!!SUUUUUKEEERRRRRRR!!!!!!!SUUUUUKEEERRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Everyone was calling out for him.

This was more than a farewell.

It was the fans' way of holding on, of refusing to let go.

Suker felt his emotions stirring.

He had spent four full seasons here. Now, suddenly leaving—it was hard not to feel attached.

Up front, Gattuso, Pirlo, and the others whispered among themselves.

"Suker's really leaving.""What are we gonna do next season?""Next season isn't the problem—it's his computer that's the issue!"

Pirlo nodded seriously.

"If that guy brings his laptop to Spain, we're screwed."

"Should we get him drunk at the celebration and steal it?"

"Can we even outdrink him?"

"Kaka! You go find and steal the computer!"

Kaka shrugged:

"I don't even know where he keeps it."

"Then what now?"

Listening behind them, Suker heard everything loud and clear.He was instantly furious.

"I'm shipping that laptop to Spain first thing tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Totti observed Milan's lineup.

Although aging, they still had a competitive core.

Under pressure from Inter, AC Milan had made a remarkable comeback in the second half of the season, climbing to second place.

Compared to that, Roma looked bleak.

As Totti aged, their squad lost its edge.

They did okay in the first half of the season, but as fatigue set in, their performance dropped drastically.

Roma now sat in seventh, their worst finish in a decade.

And if this was Serie A's level domestically, what hope was there in Europe?

Totti shook his head.

He could feel Italian football falling apart.

With Suker's departure—Serie A's poster boy off to Real Madrid—Italy's football winter was about to begin.

"Get ready to take the field!"

The referee's call brought everyone to attention.

Roar!!!!!!

As the players walked out, San Siro exploded with noise.

Starting lineups:

AC Milan (4-4-2):

GK: Dida

DEF: Zambrotta, Nesta, Šimunić, Jankulovski

MID: Ambrosini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Beckham

FWD: Pato, Suker

AS Roma (4-3-1-2):

GK: Moraes

DEF: Motta, Cassetti, Mexès, Riise

MID: Brighi, Juan, Pizarro

FWD: Taddei, Totti, Vučinić

"Right from kickoff, Milan is showing great attacking intent!

Pirlo and Beckham are constantly feeding forward passes, targeting Suker, who keeps charging Roma's defense!"

At minute 7, Kaká stopped the ball, looked up, and curled a beautiful pass with the outside of his left foot.

The ball curved like a rainbow around Roma's defenders, rolling into open space.

Suker had already started his run.

Using his explosive pace, he sprinted straight toward goal.

He took a brief pause after controlling the ball.

That gave Roma's keeper Moraes a chance—he lunged forward.

But Suker calmly sidestepped him, rounded to the side, and tapped the ball into the empty net with his left foot.

"GOOOOOOOOOAL!!!!! Just 7 minutes in and Suker has scored!"

"Brilliant link-up between Kaká and Suker! What a pass, and what composure in front of goal!"

"AC Milan leads Roma 1-0!"

As Suker ran to the corner flag, one side of the stands began to shake.

He paused and turned around.

A massive TIFO slowly rose along the front of the stands.

On a black background was an image of Suker, arms raised in celebration.Beneath it, a small phrase:

"Forza! Milan!"

At the front of the stands, fans held up placards to form the message:

"Milan! 10! It's been a pleasure knowing you, Suker!"

On the north stand, a huge banner read:

"Thank you, Suker, for coming to us. Thank you for your four seasons of dedication!"

"Goodbye, Suker. Don't forget—Milan will always be your home!"

In Suker's final home game, Milan fans used the most heartfelt farewell they could offer.

Applause roared through the stadium.

Everyone shouted his name.

At that moment, they screamed as loud as they could.

At that moment, they shouted with every ounce of strength.

Because after today, they would never have the chance to chant his name again like this.

And all those cries formed a single message:

"Goodbye, Suker!"