"European Football Awards Begin Announcing!"
"Ballon d'Or? FIFA World Player? Who Will Win?"
"Ronaldinho, the Football Magician, a Strong Ballon d'Or Contender!"
It's that time of the year again when all the major football awards are being announced.
The three most closely watched are, undoubtedly:
The Ballon d'Or,
FIFA World Player of the Year, and
The Golden Boy Award.
Though the Golden Boy doesn't carry the same prestige as the other two—it's essentially the youth version of the Ballon d'Or—it still holds significant meaning.
Among the list of Golden Boy nominees, Suker is at the top.
In fact, he's the strongest contender for the award.
Other nominees include Messi, Rooney, and Podolski.
But so far, Suker has garnered the loudest support. Thanks to his outstanding performance with Dinamo Zagreb last season, he claimed the Champions League Golden Boot.
If that's not worthy of the Golden Boy, then what is?
Rooney and Podolski are also in the mix, while Messi, despite an impressive performance at the Youth World Cup, made the list with a mere €5 million valuation.
Still, even if you put all three of them together, they don't seem to outweigh Suker's momentum.
Many media outlets even claim that if Suker doesn't win the Golden Boy, the award might as well be meaningless.
Meanwhile, the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year are heating up.
All candidates are actively campaigning, but the clear favorite remains Ronaldinho.
"Do you think André can win the Ballon d'Or? Or maybe the FIFA World Player?"asked Kaká.
Suker looked up: "Why not both?"
Kaká blinked:
"You're joking, right?"
Up to this point, the two awards have usually been handed out separately to ensure fairness.
But Suker knows—starting this year, both awards will go to the same person.
That's also the beginning of the eventual merger between the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player.
For example:
This year, it's likely to go to Ronaldinho.
Next year: Cannavaro.
In 2007, Kaká slays the gods and takes it all.
2008 and 2009 belong to the two great prodigies.
From 2007 onward, a new era will unfold at full speed.
Suker tied his boots and walked out of the locker room.
The sky was clear.
"The new era is accelerating. I can't afford to fall behind!"
Kaká sat on the sideline, watching Suker train. He sensed something unusual—an urgency in Suker.
But why?
Suker was already leading the younger generation. In fact, he was the undisputed frontrunner.
If anything, Kaká should be the one feeling pressure.
"He's really something else," said Shevchenko, sitting beside Kaká with a smile."Being his teammate is painful."
Watching Suker grow like he's riding a rocket, anyone on the same team would feel pressure.
Kaká sighed:
"Since joining Milan, in less than half a season, this guy has nailed down a starting spot. If he keeps playing like this…"
Kaká didn't want to finish the sentence.
If Suker maintains this level of performance, next season he might become the team's tactical core.
Though Shevchenko remains vital, grooming a younger successor is more important.
Suker and Kaká are both candidates for that role.
But clearly, Suker is closer.
On the sideline, Ancelotti watched Suker. Next to him was Maldini.
"Araujo said he wants to make Suker 'one of our own,'" said Ancelotti.
Maldini was surprised:
"One of our own?"
That phrase carried serious weight.
It took Shevchenko four years of top performance to earn that status—though even that was shaken by last season's transfer drama.
Now, after less than half a season, Milan was already thinking of giving that title to Suker?
Sure, there were enticing reasons—but Maldini felt it was a bit premature.
"Even Berlusconi is paying close attention to Suker," Ancelotti added."Araujo said he really likes the kid."
Maldini was stunned.
Berlusconi—the real boss of AC Milan. A powerhouse in Italian politics, business, and media. He's served multiple terms as Italy's Prime Minister.
Such a man taking interest in Suker? That meant a big deal.
Ancelotti stayed silent after that.
On the surface, this seemed like good news.
But Berlusconi's political and commercial web was complex.
Sure, his backing could fast-track Suker's rise—but it also came with risks.
Ancelotti wanted Suker to play pure football, free from external interference.
But some forces may reach out to Suker, whether he likes it or not.
Playing for Milan, you can't avoid Berlusconi.
All over Italy, the press was buzzing about Suker—and it was all praise.
Granted, his performances deserved it. But the volume was overwhelming.
Even national newspapers, not just Milan-based ones, were hyping Suker.
"You pulled strings with the press?" Suker asked Zorancii, baffled as he looked at the front-page spread in Tuttosport.
Tuttosport was based in Turin, typically a Juventus mouthpiece.
But now it looked like they were welcoming Suker to Juventus already.
Zorancic waved his hands:
"Not me!"
Sure, his father and Davor Suker had media contacts, but even they couldn't make Tuttosport publish such glowing reports.
"Well, if they're backing you like this," Zorancic said, "then winning the Golden Boy is almost guaranteed."
Suker nodded.
Winning the Golden Boy would open doors to more influence and resources.
Especially in this era of young stars rising fast, Suker had to stay ahead of the curve.
2005/2006 Serie A, Matchday 9: Empoli vs AC Milan
As Suker looked at the familiar chubby kid, his expression turned odd.
If he remembered correctly, this kid's name was Justin.
"Why are you back in Empoli as a ball boy?" Suker asked, exasperated.
"Rowling doesn't like me anymore," Justin replied sadly."She's into some blonde jerk now!"
Suker glanced at Justin's curly blond hair.
"I need your jersey," Justin said bluntly.
Suker laughed:
"To impress a girl? Dream on!"
"Just this once! I begged my parents to buy this ball boy spot—your spot! You're getting a cut, right?"
"Nope," Suker replied."You bought this in Empoli. I don't get a cent!"
Justin looked stunned.
"Then… I'll pay you directly?"
"Didn't I already give you one?" Suker said.
"That was the first one! It's different!"
Suker tilted his head, then understood.
So this kid kept the first one—and now wants another to use.
A half-loyal fan who likes him, but also won't risk his collectible!
"Fine," Suker sighed."Let me finish the match first—I'll bring it to you after."
Justin beamed.
"I'll wait in the tunnel, don't forget!"
Kaká walked over, glancing at Justin.
"He looks familiar."
"Your fan," Suker replied.
"My fan?" Kaká asked, surprised.
No way Suker would admit that this clingy kid was his fan.
The players walked onto the pitch.
Today, Suker and Inzaghi started as the forward duo.
With Shevchenko still recovering, he was benched again.
To maintain attacking strength, Ancelotti paired Suker with Inzaghi up front—a test.
Suker had expressed a desire to play striker, and Ancelotti remembered.
Now it was up to Suker to earn that spot long-term.
"Pass it to me! Me!" Suker shouted from midfield.Then pointed to Inzaghi: "Don't pass to him!"
Inzaghi rolled his eyes so hard they nearly popped out.
He wanted to retort, but worried Suker would hold a grudge and never pass to him again.
So he just sulked.
At his age, he was fine with just poaching goals.
A goal's a goal—no shame in tap-ins.