The All-Around Center Forward

"Have you decided on your wedding date?"

Suker asked Modrić.

Since Modrić proposed, they had planned to hold their wedding during the summer holidays, but the exact date was not yet confirmed.

Modrić nodded, "June 15th, right after the qualifiers, we'll hold the wedding in Zagreb."

Suker was surprised, "Not choosing somewhere nicer?"

Most football stars hold their weddings at luxurious resorts.

Now Modrić had the financial means to do so.

Modrić shook his head, "We don't want a big wedding. Having family and close friends is the greatest blessing for us."

Suker smiled, "Don't worry, I'll definitely attend. If needed, I can even fill in as the priest."

"Get lost!"

Modrić laughed and scolded, "You fake, we're looking for a real priest."

"By the way, when are you heading to Spain?"

Suker casually said, "After your wedding, I'll set off."

"Transferring from Milan to Real Madrid, do you think Madrid is better for your future development?"

Suker always had a long-term vision.

When he joined Milan, though the club was in decline, it still greatly helped him win his first Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player award.

Now, he was heading toward a new challenge, and naturally Modrić was curious about his choice.

"Milan and Serie A no longer offer any prospects," Suker shook his head, "My departure was inevitable."

"What about Inter?" Modrić asked. "They played very well this season."

Suker sighed, "Next season, they'll be even more terrifying."

After Mourinho completed Inter's integration, the team would finally shed the 'black hole of stars' reputation and push for their first-ever treble.

Next season, even Barcelona would have to beware Inter's strength.

"Spain's tiki-taka is really tough to handle!" Modrić recalled their European Championship match against Spain.

If not for their excellent form, the sacrifices of Rakitić and Vukićević, and Suker's explosive performance, they would hardly have defeated Spain.

"I heard Raul returned to the squad," Modrić said.

Suker sighed.

He wasn't sure if it was good or bad.

Since Croatia knocked Spain out of Euro 2008, Aragones fell under fierce media criticism and bore the blame for Spain's defeat.

In the original timeline, Aragones was a reformer of Spanish football, and though his honors were few, his refusal to rely on Raul was a milestone.

Without Raul, Spain was reborn, winning Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, and Euro 2012 — a grand slam that marked the Spanish dynasty.

But now, Croatia's win over Spain in 2008 also meant the fall of Aragones, who lost his reputation and resigned under media and public pressure.

The new coach Del Bosque had no choice but to accept Raul's return.

This event greatly altered history's course.

In the original timeline, Aragones won widespread respect after Euro victory, and even as he left, players and fans begged him to stay.

Now, due to the Euro defeat, Aragones' legacy was ruined.

Media pinned all blame on him; he resigned in disgrace.

Thousands cheered as Del Bosque accepted Raul back.

Supporters of Aragones went silent, afraid of public wrath.

No one dared pinpoint the real problems; Spanish football's issues became increasingly acute.

For Suker, however, this was good news.

He won the 2008 Ballon d'Or and still had a chance in the 2010 World Cup.

Of course, first, they needed to do well in the qualifiers.

The key was to kick England off the group's top spot.

On June 7th, thousands of Croatian fans gathered at Maksimir Stadium.

The league had ended, but fans' passion was undiminished.

Since summer 2008, a fiery storm had swept Croatia.

The nation's first-ever European Championship!

Croatia became the world's focus.

With this championship, Croatia skyrocketed to 2nd place in FIFA's national team rankings.

Brazil was first.

Thanks to their stellar Euro performance, Croatia became Europe's strongest team.

After the Golden Generation, Croatia's soil produced a new Platinum Generation!

Suker, Modrić, Mandžukić, Rakitić, Vukićević…

These national team stars were hurdles every opponent had to overcome.

Meanwhile, Croatia continued to nurture young talents like Brozović, who would bolster the team in the future.

Today, in the match against Belarus, the long-absent Suker rejoined the national squad.

Croatian fans were overjoyed.

Suker's brilliant Euro showing inspired pride in the whole nation.

Now, their hero was back.

Though just a qualifier, enthusiasm ran high.

Many national team scouts also flocked to Maksimir Stadium.

Croatia was a major threat.

Suker was the standout star.

They needed to track Croatia's status closely.

In Spain, two groups watched the game intently.

One was the Spanish national team, beaten by Croatia in the Euro semis.

The other was Real Madrid.

Spain took Croatia seriously as the team that eliminated them.

Real Madrid focused on Suker.

They wondered if he could maintain his crazy Euro form.

At Spain's training base, all players, including Real stars Raul, Ramos, Xabi Alonso, and Casillas, followed the match.

They had mixed feelings about the newcomer Suker.

For Casillas and Ramos, Suker's arrival was great news.

His addition would strengthen Real Madrid's overall fighting power.

But Raul felt conflicted.

He was the captain and Madrid's offensive spearhead.

Suker played the same position and would take his core spot.

Florentino had already told him: Suker was Madrid's future core.

Raul had to accept it, despite not wanting to.

He was aging, losing his edge, and powerless to resist.

"It's starting!"

Casillas looked at the TV.

The players had entered the field.

Suker was in the starting lineup.

Wearing Croatia's number 9 jersey, amidst roaring cheers, Suker stepped onto the pitch.

At that moment, Madrid players watched him with scrutinizing eyes.

But that gaze didn't last long.

Only six minutes in, Suker, like a mountain crashing down, towered over the tough defenders and powerfully headed the ball into the net.

He jumped a head above others, winning all aerial battles.

Even surrounded by two defenders, he kept his balance firm.

Hiss!

Ramos gasped.

This guy was every defender's nightmare.

Too strong!

Incredibly dominant!

Xabi Alonso's eyes sparkled.

Such a powerful striker was exactly the kind of player every midfielder loved.

Raul looked dazed.

Suker's goal was extremely forceful.

But this brute power made Raul feel a bit melancholic.

His body was declining, while Suker shone brightly like a blazing sun.

Raul didn't want to admit he was aging.

He still wanted to compete.

But Suker's goal seemed to declare to everyone:

"Old guys! Your era is over!"