The next morning, Pato eagerly came over hoping to freeload breakfast.
Though Suker hadn't planned to make anything for Pato, seeing the guy sitting at the table with puppy-dog eyes while they ate made him uncomfortable.
In the end, Suker reluctantly whipped up another portion.
Suker thought he was already shameless enough — but this country bumpkin had no concept of shame at all.
"Go! Walk the dog for me!"Suker ordered.
Kaká laughed gleefully at the scene.
"What are you laughing at?! Go wash the dishes!"Suker barked.
After breakfast and walking the dog, the three headed to Milan's training ground.
"The Champions League is coming up…I wonder if I'll get to play?"Pato said with anticipation.
So far, he'd started five league matches, performing very well.While not scoring or assisting every match, he was outstanding for a rookie.
Suker and Kaká remained silent —because they both believed Pato would play in the Champions League.
Ancelotti hadn't outright said it,but from what they knew of him,he wouldn't keep giving Pato starts unless he truly trusted his potential.
By giving Pato consistent league starts,it was clear Ancelotti viewed him as first-team ready and wanted him prepared for Europe.
"Why is scoring so hard?! Six games, only three goals!"Pato said dejectedly.
Kaká's face twitched.
Three goals in six games — does this guy even know how good that is?
"Suker averages a goal a game.When will I reach that level?"Pato added.
Kaká sighed helplessly.
He's comparing himself to Suker?
The two weren't even remotely on the same level.
Without the same tactical support, how could Pato replicate Suker's output?
Even with the same resources, could he handle the pressure like Suker?
Being the attacking core and top scorer wasn't just glory —it came with tremendous responsibility.
Once they arrived at Milanello, the team got to work.
Training focused entirely on preparing for the next match.
Ancelotti was always meticulous in his pre-match planning.
Once again, Pato partnered with Suker in attack.
After a month of Serie A action,Pato's development had significantly accelerated —his raw talent was finally translating into real growth.
Besides training, there were tactical sessions, and Ancelotti even gave Pato private lessons —all to help him integrate quickly.
After two days of full-squad training,on the third day, AC Milan departed for Spain.
The time had come for the 2007/2008 UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
Their opponent: Real Madrid.
Over in Madrid, their new head coach Bernd Schuster watched the news with a heavy expression.
This was his toughest test yet —a Champions League knockout tie against AC Milan.
Last season, Milan had beaten Real Madrid twice,eliminating them before the quarterfinals for the third straight year,earning Madrid the embarrassing nickname "Round of 16 Losers".
Both the players and fans were desperate to shake off the shame.
However, things at Real Madrid were a mess.
Since Capello's departure, the club's management had become chaotic.
President Calderón's poor leadership was starting to show.
Frequent changes in managers led to team instability,while Guardiola and Barcelona loomed large as a threat.
This was shaping up to be one of Real Madrid's worst seasons.
The only bright spot was their signings:Robben, Sneijder, Drenthe, Metzelder, and Pepe.
These gave the squad a modest boost in strength.
But fans weren't impressed.
Calderón had promised to continue the club's Galácticos tradition —but apart from Cannavaro, none of the new signings were true global stars.
Still, Calderón boasted constantly, claiming to be in close talks with AC Milan about signing Suker.
But this had no official confirmation —not from AC Milan, not from Suker himself.
Despite the nonstop rumors, it all felt like Calderón performing solo.
He also claimed Real Madrid was negotiating with Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo.
He boldly declared the club would sign both Suker and Ronaldo.
This news spread like wildfire across Europe.
Suker saw these reports and chuckled.
"What are you laughing at?"Kaká asked.
"Calderón just stepped on a landmine,"Suker shrugged.
"A landmine?"
"Yeah." Suker grinned."If he had tried to sign either me or Ronaldo on his own, it might've worked.But he shouldn't have publicized it so loudly."
"Because you don't like it?" Kaká asked.
"Not me — Cristiano Ronaldo."
Ronaldo was fiercely competitive.He wouldn't even accept aging, let alone being second to someone else.
Suker had long understood —he and Cristiano were not compatible.
Their chances of coexisting were lower than his with Messi.
Ronaldo would never back down.Suker? Even less so.
They were destined to be rivals.
And Calderón didn't understand that —he started hyping a dream of bringing them both to Madrid,while clearly showing a preference for Suker first.
How would Ronaldo react to that?
Last season, Ronaldo had been knocked out of the Champions League by AC Milan.
And then, Suker had beaten him for the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player.
To Ronaldo, Suker had become a personal nemesis —the man he must surpass.
So if Suker was treated as the main signing,and he was just an afterthought…
That was the ultimate insult.
The very next day, a breaking story exploded across Europe.
Cristiano Ronaldo posted a furious message on social media:
"I don't want some loudmouth president using the media to hype rumors.Let me be clear: I'm happy where I am.I have no intention of leaving —and I will never be your second choice.If you keep using the media to harass me,you will pay the price!"
A brutal, thunderous statement —he almost name-dropped Calderón directly.
Across Europe, the news made Calderón a laughingstock.
Just the day before, he was talking about friendly negotiations with Ronaldo —now Ronaldo publicly slapped him down.
He tried to ride the Champions League hype to boost his reputation —but it backfired spectacularly.
He hadn't anticipated just how angry Ronaldo would be.
Even Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, stepped in to cut ties with Real Madrid.
Ronaldo was truly furious.
Over in Madrid, Suker also saw the report.
A bombshell first thing in the morning.
Ronaldo had officially fallen out with Calderón —which significantly increased Suker's chances of joining Real Madrid.
If Calderón had focused only on Ronaldo,he might've had a shot.But instead, he played both sides.
Flirting with Suker and trying to woo Ronaldo?
You can't have two Tiger on one mountain!
Calderón didn't get that —so now he was getting destroyed.
He deserved to get outplayed by Florentino Pérez!
Suker rolled his eyes,put down the newspaper,and ate a quick breakfast.
Tonight was matchday —the first leg of the Round of 16 would take place at the Santiago Bernabéu.
And now, Real Madrid was heading into itafter just getting roasted by Ronaldo.
Their already troubled state was about to get worse.
Fans and players alike were probably furious at their clown president.
Meanwhile, Florentino Pérez, watching from the sidelines,was already popping open a bottle of red wine that morning.
Calderón's meddling had created huge headaches for the team.
Now, with his "Galácticos" plan a PR disaster, and Ronaldo publicly flaming him,his reputation had collapsed —from wise president to foolish clown, demoralizing the whole club.
Suker could only say:
"Calderón, well played!"