AC Milan clinched victory in the derby match.
This meant Milan fans could enjoy a joyful Christmas.
In fact, until the next match arrives, they could relentlessly mock their city rivals.
Of course, even for the next match, they firmly believed the winner would be AC Milan!
The city of Milan became a paradise for AC fans. Fireworks lit the sky, and people planned to party all night.
It wasn't just the win—it was the brilliant performance that had everyone thrilled.
And there was even more excitement around Suker!
Suker once again made front-page headlines across European media.
Despite only joining AC Milan for half a season, Suker had performed beyond all expectations.
Some were even calling him the "pioneer of a new era."
Naturally, there were also media outlets dubbing him the "Little Ronaldinho" after he pulled off a "dreamlike move."
"Pfft! That's a curse!"
Suker was celebrating at his villa with Zorančić.
When Zorančić brought up the nickname the media gave him, Suker was speechless.
Sure, Ronaldinho was amazing at his peak!
But that peak only lasted a few years. His decline was swift—Ronaldinho wasted all his talent due to a lack of discipline.
He might look strong now, but give it a few years and he'll fade.
This was basically a curse!
Still, the media loves giving young players these kinds of nicknames.
Things like Little Ronaldo, Little Ronaldinho, Little Zidane...
"What about Kaka?"
Zorančić asked.
Usually when Suker started cooking, that guy would show up like a dog sniffing out food.
But this time, he was nowhere to be found.
"Andre took him out to celebrate!" Suker replied casually.
"Shevchenko didn't invite you?" Zorančić raised an eyebrow.
"He did," Suker nodded. "But I've got something more important tonight!"
"What's that?"
Zorančić asked.
Suker glanced at the time.
"Should be any minute now."
As he said this, the doorbell rang.
Suk got up and opened the door.
"Wow! Our superstar—your performance was amazing!"
Gisele Bündchen stood there, wearing a black wool coat over a tight white knit top and loose jeans.
Suker looked up slightly at her.
"You're wearing heels again!"
"Hahaha! Don't mind the details, my friend!"
Gisele threw an arm around Suker's neck, her perfume wafting into the air.
She waved a bottle of red wine with a smile. "I brought this!"
"Now that's more like it."
Suker welcomed her in.
Zorančić was dumbfounded.
"Hello!" Gisele greeted confidently.
Zorančić looked a bit shy, clearly not used to the scene.
Gisele sat beside Suker, eyeing the food on the table. "Looks like a feast again."
"I heard you were coming, so I went all out. Any chance you're staying the night?"
Suker smiled at her.
Gisele smirked, tapping his forehead with her finger but didn't respond.
"You were incredible!"
"How incredible?"
"You slapped those haters right in the face!"
She made a slapping motion, gleeful. "So satisfying!"
Zorančić sat stiff as a log across from them, watching the two chat like a pair of flirtatious lovebirds.
"Should I give you two some privacy?"
Zorančić pointed at the door.
Suker turned to him in surprise. "You're still here?"
Gisele chimed in, "I thought you'd left!"
Zorančić immediately stood up.
Suker burst out laughing, "I'm kidding, I'm kidding—it's a friends' gathering tonight!"
Gisele raised her glass with a cheer. "To tonight's victory! Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
The three clinked glasses with laughter.
Zorančić shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
Watching Suker's performance, he felt like sitting on pins and needles, knowing him all too well.
He buried himself in food just to stay distracted.
Never again would he come to one of these gatherings!
"Where are we going for vacation?" Suker suddenly asked.
Gisele: "Ibiza Island—a Spanish resort island, it's beautiful there."
Suker: "I kinda want to go to Istanbul."
Gisele: "Why Istanbul?"
"To ride a hot air balloon!"
Gisele laughed: "That's Cappadocia, not Istanbul. It's over 600 km away!"
"Well, we could change plans. Five days in Ibiza, then five days in Cappadocia, and the last five days will be just enough for you to return to training!"
Suker gave her a thumbs up. "You're amazing!"
Gisele smiled softly. Resting her cheek on her palm, she turned sideways to gaze at Suker.
The wine had turned her cheeks slightly red, and her eyes looked dreamy, with a hint of allure.
"You really captivated me today."
Gisele said with a sly smile.
Her face wasn't the delicate type, but her overall charm had a unique appeal.
Suker took a bite of pasta. "Yet you still don't want to stay over."
Gisele chuckled. "Is that all you ever think about?"
Before Suker could reply, Zorančić chimed in.
"What else does a young guy think about besides that?"
Suker snapped. "Shut up you!"
Zorančić ducked his head to eat.
"Whoa~~~ oh~~~"
Gisele looked at Suker in surprise.
Suker quickly turned. "I can explain."
But he was speechless.
That woman's eyes looked… off.
Like she wanted to devour him alive.
"Come on, another sip. I can't drink much more—I still have matches to play! And you—stop pretending to text or take videos! I know you're sending them to Luka and the others to make fun of me. Careful or I'll leak your nudes online!"
Zorančić sheepishly put down his phone.
Gisele burst into laughter.
They ate a bit more, and around 10 p.m., Gisele left by car.
The next morning, Suker got up early.
Zorančić was already on the couch—with Kaka mooching breakfast next to him.
"Morning!"
Kaka greeted with a grin.
Suker rolled his eyes.
This was getting out of hand.
Even breakfast was being mooched!
Suker made some quick sandwiches, eggs, and cereal.
Kaka looked at the food and grumbled. "You're getting lazier with breakfast."
Suker: "You're a freeloader—no right to complain! Eat or I'll take it away!"
Kaka immediately started wolfing it down.
The Milan derby was done, and the Champions League group stage had ended too.
Only two league matches remained before the winter break.
Round 16: AC Milan at home vs. Messina.
Round 17: AC Milan away vs. Livorno.
After these two matches, Serie A would go on a two-week break.
The second half of the season would start on January 8.
AC Milan took the final two matches seriously—they couldn't afford to slip.
Suk wasn't too excited about the league.
On one hand, he couldn't grind for top-tier cards. On the other, even if things went as expected, AC Milan had no real shot at winning the league!
Not as bad as Juventus, sure.
But with that many points deducted in the future, dreaming of the title was just fantasy.
That's why Suker had more interest in chasing Champions League glory.
Still, the rest of the team didn't know this and were just as focused on the league.
In Round 16 against Messina, Suker started the match.
San Siro roared with cheers.
Fans chanted Suker's name in unison.
Derby matches are the best way to win over fans—especially with a performance like Suk's.
He instantly rose in the fans' eyes, becoming almost a San Siro darling.
Suker's jersey sales also spiked, even overtaking Kaka to become second highest in the team.
The top jersey seller remained Shevchenko.
Climbing to second place after just one match showed how much Milan fans cared about that performance.
But Suker's dazzling dribble came with a side effect.
Now every time he touched the ball, fans roared:
"Take him on!!!—"
"Suker! Dribble past him!!—"
"Go past him!"
Many fans came just to watch Suker perform magic.
They desperately hoped to see the "dreamlike move" again in person.
But things don't always go your way—Suker didn't dribble much, instead choosing to pass more.
In Round 16, he linked up well but didn't get a goal or assist.
It was Shevchenko who scored twice with both feet and head.
On December 22, AC Milan headed to Livorno for final preparations.
This was the last match before the break. Ancelotti played a full-strength squad, giving the opponent no chance.
First half: Suker and Inzaghi's ghostlike movement bewildered Livorno's defense.
Second half: Kaka and Shevchenko bombarded their goal.
Final result: AC Milan won 3–0 away.
After 17 rounds of the 2005/2006 Serie A season, AC Milan held a 14-2-1 record, placing second in the table.
Juventus, with a 15-1-1 record, were crowned half-season champions.
With the break starting, Suker returned to Milan that same day.
The next day, he and Gisele Bündchen flew to Ibiza Island to begin their vacation.