December 17th, the eyes of the global media turned to FIFA headquarters in Switzerland.
On this day, Suker lifted his first-ever FIFA World Player of the Year trophy.
Unlike the Ballon d'Or, this FIFA award held greater symbolic value for Suker.
He became the third player — after Ronaldinho and Cannavaro — to win both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year.
That day, Suker became the center of the football world, taking a firm step toward his own throne.
"Over here! Over here!"
Zorancic directed workers to place a trophy cabinet against the living room wall.
Once it was in place, Suker and Zorancic carefully began arranging all the trophies.
The five-tier cabinet was filled completely.
Top tier: Reserved for two major awards — the 2007 Ballon d'Or and 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year.
The Ballon d'Or — the iconic golden football from France Football.
The FIFA award — a half-arch rectangular block, featuring global latitude and longitude lines, with a crystal football embedded in the center.
Suker's name engraved at the bottom — a mark of ownership and triumph.
Second tier: Club achievements.
Bosnian League Champion, Croatian League Champion, UEFA Champions League Winner, Serie A Champion.
Third tier: Scoring honors.
Croatian Golden Boot, Champions League Top Scorer, Serie A Golden Boot.
Fourth tier and beyond:
Croatian Footballer of the Year, UEFA Best Player, UEFA Team of the Year, etc.
Standing before the trophy cabinet, Suker felt overwhelmed with emotion.
Five years ago, he was just a struggling kid in the Bosnian league, barely getting by.
Now, he was standing at the pinnacle of world football.
Five years —So much had changed.So many choices made, so much effort poured in.
But looking at these trophies — it was all worth it.
Some people, once they reach this height, would stop chasing, lose their hunger.
But not Suker.
He knew what the future held —Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo would go on to build dazzling trophy cabinets, a legacy of unparalleled glory.
And right now, he only had one.
He needed more.
"One more match, then it's winter break,"Zorancic reminded.
"No need to remind me. I already know I've got work to do,"Suker replied flatly.
"You feeling proud?"
"A little, but mostly I feel it's pushing me to go further.I still need more."
Zorancic shook his head slightly.
He didn't understand what Suker was rushing for.
He was already at the summit —A top-tier superstar, even compared to legends from past generations.
But Suker still wasn't satisfied.
Zorancic had asked him about it before, but Suker never said a word — lips sealed tight.
Not long after, Suker was tapping and muttering at the trophy cabinet.
"What's wrong now?" Zorancic asked.
"It's too small!"Suker turned around."Where am I gonna put my future trophies?"
"Huh?" Zoranchi was stunned.
"What if I win another Ballon d'Or? There's no space left!"
This guy…You've only just won your first, and you're already thinking about the second?
"Want me to custom-build a new one?"
"Great idea!"
"..."
Afternoon, Milanello Training Center.
The AC Milan squad was gathered in the locker room —laughing and chatting, planning for the winter break.
Everyone's head was already in vacation mode.Where to relax, where to unwind — it was the hot topic of the day.
They'd had a rocky first half of the season, but achieved solid results.
They had earned their rest.
"I'm thinking of going fishing — anyone want to join?"Gattuso limped over and raised his hand.
Everyone turned and gave him a look.Fishing? Really?No one was ever interested, despite Gattuso always hyping it up.
"I know a great island. How about we vacation there?"
"Got pictures?"
"Looks good!"
Everyone was in full holiday spirit.
Kaká turned to Suker:
"Where are you going for vacation?"
"Vacation?!"
Suker suddenly raised his voice dramatically:
"Only lazy people take vacations!We're about to enter the second half of the season!With powerful enemies ahead, why relax now?I'll be staying at the training base, preparing for war!"
The locker room went dead silent.
Pato looked on in awe.
So that's what made a superstar — the unmatched dedication.
"Don't let him fool you,"**Nesta cut in."He's got way too many endorsements — he's just working through the break.If he really had time off, you think he'd stay in the gym?"
Suker immediately lunged at Nesta,rubbing his head from forehead to back.
"Let's shave you bald!"
"What about you, Pato?"Ambrosini asked.
"I'm going to train,"Pato answered seriously.
Everyone stared in surprise.Was this kid really that driven?
"Second half of the season, I'll finally be eligible to play.I need to be ready — I want to play in the league and the Champions League!"
Since joining Milan, Pato had undergone a big transformation, thanks to Suker.
He was still a bit of a "wild pup," but now a hardworking one.
In the original timeline, Pato joined during Milan's decline.External distractions, and Ronaldinho's influence, led him astray.
But here —he first met Suker.
Though Suker wasn't insanely hardworking, his ambition was contagious.
That ambition — that hunger — left an imprint on Pato.
He still wanted the luxury lifestyle — big houses, beautiful women —But now he knew what it took to earn those things.
That was his foundation — his bottom line.
Now, most of Pato's salary went into private coaching and training.
He was improving himself.
And all of it came from Suker's influence.
Pato didn't want to be the next Ronaldinho —He wanted to be the next Suker.
December 23rd2007/08 Serie A Round 17AC Milan vs. Livorno (Home)
The final match before the winter break, and just before Christmas.
To give fans a merry Christmas, Ancelotti sent out a full-strength squad.
Even without Gattuso, the trio of Suker, Kaká, and Seedorf relentlessly pressured the defense.
22nd minute: Suker headed in the first goal.
57th minute: Kaká scored from a long-range strike.
71st minute: Livorno scored via a corner — but that was their only goal.
Milan secured a solid victory.
The first half of the season was officially over.
AC Milan now sat third in the table:
Inter: 2 points ahead
Roma: 1 point ahead
The race for the Scudetto was tight — the second half promised fireworks.
They were also competing in the Coppa Italia.
As for the Champions League —They wanted to go far, but the odds weren't great.
Still, they would give it a shot.
But none of that mattered now because —
IT'S VACATION TIME!
After the final match, Ancelotti dismissed the squad immediately.
There was no need to make them sit through a post-game breakdown.Let them enjoy their time off.
"Vacation should feel like vacation!"
The AC Milan players scattered to begin their holiday plans.
Suker also began his next round of "vacation work".
Of course, some like Pato stayed behind —training hard, preparing to debut in the second half of the season.