Croatia, National Team training center.
Suker pushed his suitcase into the training center. On the railing to his right, a group of his mischievous friends were perched.
Modrić, Dujmović, Rakitić, and the rejoining Pranjic.
They all looked at Suker and Srna with teasing eyes.
"Oh~~ You arrived so early!"
"Why are you so early this ti? Is it because you're not playing in the Champions League?"
"That's right! You were eliminated, hahahahahahaha!!!"
After his mischievous friends finished speaking, they burst into laughter.
They were all laughing so hard they could barely breathe.
What a relief!
It was so damn satisfying!
Usually, Suker was always the last one to arrive at the training base.
The reason was simple: he had to play in the Champions League, and the Champions League Final often took place after all the major Leagues had concluded.
Therefore, these guys who weren't playing in the Champions League, or who had been eliminated early, would feel envious and jealous watching Suker appear on the Champions League Final stage ti and ti again.
Now that they finally had a chance, they couldn't help but mock him thoroughly.
Suker didn't even glance their way. He didn't take his friends' teasing seriously, and with a lighthearted remark, he directly broke their composure.
"My defeated opponents!"
Upon hearing this, the guys who had been laughing so heartily just monts before instantly turned red.
Every single one of them had been 'beaten' by Suker.
Among them was Rakitić, who on average got 'beaten' twice every season.
"Clarify what you an? I've never won against you, have I?"
"What do you an, 'defeated opponents'? I can still beat you at Real Madrid!"
"Look at that smug expression on your face. Five Ballon d'Ors, is that so great?"
After Dujmović finished shouting, Rakitić, standing nearby, remained silent for a mont.
"Five Ballon d'Ors! The first in history! It's... quite impressive."
Dujmović froze for a mont, then turned his head and spat.
"Pah!"
After Suker arrived at his dormitory, his mischievous friends seed to have found their base, and they all sward in.
"Champions League Final tonight, let's watch it together!"
Modrić suggested.
Dujmović: "Prepare so food and drinks."
After speaking, everyone collectively turned to look at Suker.
Suker said blandly, "Order takeout!"
I've already been eliminated, and you still want to make snacks for your drinks? Dream on!
Everyone chuckled, then began to divide the tasks for preparation.
Training was scheduled to begin two days later, and before training, it was free activity.
But Bešić stipulated that, except for players with matches, everyone else had to arrive at the training center two days before training.
At night, after completing their shopping, they gathered in Suker's dormitory to watch the Champions League Final.
This season's Champions League Final was an all-Bundesliga affair.
Bayern Munich VS Borussia Dortmund!
This was also the first all-Bundesliga Champions League Final, offering fans a change of pace.
In previous seasons, it had predominantly been Real Madrid and Barcelona dominating the Champions League, taking turns at the top.
It could be said that from the 2006/2007 season onwards, these two teams were indispensable in terms of outstanding performance and appearances in the Champions League Final.
After seven long years, fans had grown quite tired of it.
Therefore, this all-Bundesliga clash, on the contrary, sparked a different trend, making the Champions League Final even more popular.
Secondly, there was the question of whether Cristiano Ronaldo's Bayern Munich could win the title.
This also represented a crucial factor in whether Cristiano Ronaldo could win the Ballon d'Or.
Everyone knew that Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to Bayern Munich was primarily for the Ballon d'Or.
Now, they had finally managed to defeat Real Madrid and advance further, so they were receiving extra attention.
Secondly, Borussia Dortmund, under Klopp's leadership, showcased a super youth storm!
In the past, youth storms would at most reach the semi-finals.
It was difficult to break through the monopoly of powerhouse teams in the Champions League Semi-Finals and reach the Champions League Final.
Whether it was Ajax or Dinamo Zagreb before, they were both eliminated in the quarter-finals.
But this ti, Borussia Dortmund displayed an unparalleled competitive state.
They fought their way through to the Champions League Final!
It could be said that no matter which team won, it would be a novel experience.
Would Bayern Munich be crowned king!
Or would Borussia Dortmund make history and beco a super dark horse!
This match would provide the answer.
Inside the dormitory, Suker was chewing on a dry squid leg, dipped in so spicy sauce.
Of course, the sauce was provided by Suker.
While chewing the squid leg, he watched the match on the television.
This was the first ti in three years he was watching the Champions League Final on television, rather than participating in person.
"Borussia Dortmund is nervous!"
Suker said casually.
Watching Robert Lewandowski, Götze, and others constantly taking deep breaths, Suker could tell that these newcors were extrely nervous.
The Champions League Final stage is the pinnacle of the pinnacle.
Countless eyes were on them. It could be said that this stage could lead to unimaginable leaps in progress.
Both their market value and their treatnt could double!
This was a stage that could amplify strengths and bring about trendous improvent.
But at the sa ti, it would also further highlight shortcomings.
Suker also gained fa and entered the ranks of top-tier footballers after winning his first Champions League.
It wasn't until he won his first Ballon d'Or that he truly entered the realm of elite footballers.
"Perisic is starting, but he seems very nervous."
Dujmović said, pointing at the television.
On the television, Perisic was constantly rubbing his jersey with his palms, a nervous habit of his, as his palms were sweating profusely.
"After all, it's the Champions League Final, so he's bound to be nervous," Rakitić said, then turned to Suker, Srna, and Modrić, the experienced ones, and asked, "How do you relieve it at a ti like this?"
Suker casually replied, "Slap yourself!"
"Huh?" Rakitić was astonished, "That rough?"
Srna nodded, "Theoretically, it works!"
Modrić also nodded, "I've done that too!"
Rakitić fell into deep thought.
On the other side, the three tricksters exchanged a smile.
Dujmović took in this scene; these three guys were tricking him!
Soon, they shifted their attention to the television.
From any perspective, after this match, Croatia would have another Champions League winner.
Borussia Dortmund had Perisic.
Bayern Munich, on the other hand, had Mandžukić, Vukojević, and others.
The latter had currently been displaced by Alonso, and Guardiola wasn't very fond of Vukojević's sweeper-style defensive midfield, so his appearances this season weren't frequent.
However, based on Bayern Munich's dominance over Borussia Dortmund, they still favored the forr.
Moreover, Bayern Munich's attacking prowess had been tested by Real Madrid.
Defeating Real Madrid in an attacking battle, from a certain perspective, made this Bayern Munich the strongest attacking team in football currently.
"The match has started!"
Suker said softly.
Compared to the nervous and expectant expressions of the others, Suker's expression was calm.
Perhaps he had experienced too many Champions League baptisms, so he wasn't as easily nervous or excited.
On the television, Bayern Munich still employed a powerful attacking strategy.
Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, used an inducing defensive press.
This was the tactic Bayern Munich used to disrupt Real Madrid, only Borussia Dortmund used it even more skillfully.
Suker greatly admired Klopp; he had kept this tactic under wraps throughout the group stage.
If they had known about this tactic in the group stage...
Mourinho was still there at the ti, and he might have already taken so asures, so they wouldn't have played so passively and ultimately lost the match.
However, Bayern Munich's offense was still extrely sharp.
After a 30-minute stalemate, in the 32nd minute, Mandžukić surprisingly scored the first goal with a header.
"Aweso!"
"Super Mario!"
"What a great header!"
Beside Suker, his friends excitedly stood up.
Mandžukić's header was truly excellent.
Not only was his anticipation accurate, but his timing for the jump was also perfect.
What was particularly surprising was that Mandžukić was the one who scored first, rendering Borussia Dortmund's defensive investnt in Cristiano Ronaldo fruitless.
Srna grinned, "Klopp was fooled by Guardiola!"
Suker nodded, "All coaches are big deceivers!"
All the top coaches Suker had t, every single one of them, had eight hundred tricks up their sleeves.
Even Mourinho, who looked like a brute, was incredibly cunning.
This could be seen from how Mourinho restructured the locker room, using the opportunity to suppress the Spanish contingent.
Mandžukić celebrated wildly across the field, and the cara gave him a long close-up.
However, eight minutes later, Borussia Dortmund, through a counter-attack, scored a valuable equalizer through Reus.
This caused Borussia Dortmund's morale to surge again.
After this goal, the match entered halfti.
In the second half, the ga beca even more intense between the two sides.
However, both sides were under imnse pressure, seemingly hesitant to make a move.
"The left side just passed through, directly piercing them!" Suker grinned.
He saw Schweinsteiger hesitate and fail to pass the ball at the precise mont.
If he had passed the ball imdiately, Cristiano Ronaldo could have directly initiated an attack to threaten Borussia Dortmund's goal.
In such an important match, what is tested is not only technique but also ntality.
In crucial gas, one must dare to make moves and dare to perform.
Just like Real Madrid last season, no matter the situation, even when facing a life-or-death mont, they dared to pass the ball, and they passed it very decisively!
This is also the temperant gained from multiple Champions League titles!
They just dared to do it!
The match quickly beca a stalemate.
At the critical mont, both sides seed to soften a bit.
It wasn't until five minutes later that they broke free from that state through mutual reminders and encouragent, and the ga returned to its intense pace.
But the stalemate continued!
It wasn't until the 87th minute that Bayern Munich got a corner kick opportunity.
This ti, Cristiano Ronaldo showed his might.
He suddenly jumped at the far post, suspending himself in the air, using his core strength to twist his body and head the ball, which flew straight into the net.
In the 87th minute, Bayern Munich scored another goal.
A goal that killed the ga!
After a long stalemate, such a goal was enough to destroy the will of many.
Moreover, the Borussia Dortmund players were already at the end of their rope.
The German comntator was shouting wildly.
"Cristiano Ronaldo!!! A crucial goal at a crucial mont!"
"That's right! Bayern Munich has been lacking this kind of temperant, crucial performance at crucial monts!"
"Ronaldo's arrival has helped Bayern Munich dare to make breakthroughs in the endga."
"This goal completely pushed Borussia Dortmund into the abyss, and at the sa ti, it brought Ronaldo the most important achievent for his resu!"
"Let's cheer for this wonderful goal!"
"Let's send our cheers to Cristiano Ronaldo!"
Listening to the comntator's cheers on TV, Suker slowly shook his head:
"It's over!"
After a long period of stalemate, this goal completely broke Borussia Dortmund's ntal defense.
It was finally a misstep, and Cristiano Ronaldo's ability to score in critical situations helped Bayern Munich get this valuable goal.
But this was not the last goal.
During injury ti, Cristiano Ronaldo scored another long-range shot, piercing the goal.
Not only did he help Bayern Munich secure the victory again, but he also completely surpassed Suker to beco the Champions League Golden Boot winner.
"This is truly..."
Suker almost cursed.
He had just managed to overtake in goals, and Cristiano Ronaldo's two goals in the final directly pushed him out.
Currently, Suker has 17 Champions League goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo has 18 goals, securing him the Champions League Golden Boot this season.
Suker imdiately stood up and walked away.
Rakitić turned his head: "Aren't you going to watch?"
Suker turned and cursed; "Watch what?!"
Modrić stared at the TV, a slight smile on his lips.
Just as Sir Alex Ferguson stated, he also believed that Cristiano Ronaldo deserved a Ballon d'Or.
And with this Champions League title and Champions League Golden Boot, Cristiano Ronaldo's bid for the Ballon d'Or would receive a significant boost.
At the very least, Cristiano Ronaldo's performance this season has already surpassed Suker.
The full match ended.
Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in the final, winning the Champions League.
Their last Champions League trophy dated back to the 2000/2001 season when Bayern Munich defeated La Liga team Valencia to lift the Champions League trophy.
After 12 years, they once again stood at the pinnacle of the Champions League.
This was also Bayern Munich's fifth Champions League trophy!
Two days later, the Croatia National Team entered training mode.
Mandžukić and Vukojević, as newly crowned Champions League winners, also returned to the team for training.
Ever since winning the title, Mandžukić would ask everyone he t if his goal in the final was cool.
Naturally, his close friends wouldn't have anything nice to say.
But Mandžukić was persistent, finding younger players or less familiar guys, with a look on his face that begged for praise.
He even constantly wore his Champions League dal around his neck to show off during his free ti, until Dujmović said sothing.
'You know, Suker has four of those!'
Mandžukić's ntality almost collapsed, and since then, the Champions League dal has never appeared again.
The Champions League discussions were still ongoing.
All of Europe and even the world were discussing Cristiano Ronaldo and Bayern Munich.
However, they believed that the Champions League Semi-Final between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, with its offensive and defensive battle, truly deserved to be called the 'Champions League Final'.
Although Bayern Munich won, Borussia Dortmund was ultimately suppressed quite heavily, with not many counterattacks.
Unlike the match against Real Madrid, as Bayern fans would say, throughout the entire ga, their buttocks were clenched tight, and their whole bodies were tense.
And through this Champions League, Bundesliga, and DFB-Pokal, they achieved the treble!
Cristiano Ronaldo even won both the Champions League and Bundesliga Golden Boot awards.
With such a performance, Bayern Munich also fulfilled its obligation, promoting Cristiano Ronaldo extensively and building montum for his Ballon d'Or bid.
Cristiano Ronaldo's main competitor was still Suker!
However, Suker lacked a crucial Champions League title this season.
And it wasn't a major tournant season.
The last ti Cristiano Ronaldo won the Champions League with Manchester United, he had a chance to win the Ballon d'Or.
However, that season, Croatia perford miraculously, winning the European Cup, directly pushing Cristiano Ronaldo out.
Now, without the boost of a major tournant, Cristiano Ronaldo was also relieved.
If it were one year later, Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn't even dare to imagine.
That would be a World Cup year!
Croatia's form was much stronger than Portugal's!
Although the FIFA National Team Rankings were known as the 'Poisoned Milk Rankings'.
Whoever it praised would fall!
But even with FIFA's 'poisoned milk', Croatia's overall strength was evident.
Unless several key players were injured, or Suker was absent.
Portugal, and even Cristiano Ronaldo, would have no chance.
Therefore, this year, for Cristiano Ronaldo, was his best chance to contend for the Ballon d'Or.
Amidst the chaotic public opinion, Suker patiently continued training.
He had no interest in external evaluations or dia opinions.
Or rather, he didn't want to hear them!
It was nothing more than the topic of Cristiano Ronaldo surpassing him.
These dia outlets, upon seeing Suker's dominant position challenged, acted as if it were New Year's, beating drums and gongs, utterly delighted.
After all, these were big topics and generated huge traffic!
However, for Suker himself, compared to the Ballon d'Or and the Champions League, he was more concerned with Cristiano Ronaldo's form this season.
One Cristiano Ronaldo!
One ssi!
As soon as one was contained, the other would spring up.
Trying to suppress them was truly too difficult.
If he wasn't careful, these two guys could surge ahead.
Next season, Bayern Munich, carrying the champion's aura, would beco even stronger.
Neymar would also join Barcelona!
Due to a brand new challenge, and the challenge was coming even more fiercely.
Suker had to be prepared!
It was uncertain what kind of attacking combination Bayern Munich would form.
But Barcelona's MSN trio was getting closer and closer.
And also...
Suker looked at Rakitić, who was bouncing around beside him.
This guy had received a transfer offer from Barcelona yesterday and was currently in the process of transferring.
Fabregas couldn't wait any longer; he had already confird his departure from Barcelona.
And given Xavi's aging issue, Barcelona had to prepare a replacent.
Rakitić was the replacent they were looking for.
Suker sighed.
For him, this was both a good thing and a bad thing.
The good thing was that Rakitić could grow, and his performance for the National Team would be even better.
The bad thing was that this guy was really a bit troubleso!
It just depended on how Barcelona used him!
And according to the original tiline, this guy indeed did very well during the MSN era.
He was also known as the 'most low-key midfielder'; you might not see his spectacular performances, but you couldn't doubt his contributions in the ga.
This also made Rakitić the midfield pivot for Barcelona in the post-Xavi era!
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