Real Madrid 4:4 Dinamo Zagreb.
Dinamo Zagreb played with remarkable tenacity.
At the same time, this match left many with heavy hearts.
One heartbreaking moment stood out—Ronaldo couldn't catch up to Suker. That scene shattered many fans' hearts.
"Real Madrid has been held to a draw again. Let's also give a big hand to the boys of Dinamo Zagreb. They delivered a fantastic performance. Even away from home and in tough conditions, they never gave up!"
"This was a spectacular match and an exhilarating goal fest!"
"Congratulations to Dinamo Zagreb, a team playing in the Champions League group stage for the first time. They've made history again by advancing to the knockout rounds!"
In the other match just concluded, Roma—led by the legendary Totti—defeated Leverkusen at home.
That means Dinamo Zagreb and Real Madrid are both through to the Champions League knockout stage.
Champions League Group B Standings:
1st: Dinamo Zagreb — 3 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses, 12 points2nd: Real Madrid — 2 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss, 9 points3rd: Leverkusen — 2 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses, 8 points4th: Roma — 1 win, 0 draws, 5 losses, 3 points
"I'm not dreaming, am I?!"
Srna tackled Suker in celebration.
"We actually qualified as group leaders!"
Suker, pinned beneath him, shouted:
"Get up! Get up! If we're slow, it'll be too late!"
"Huh?" Srna looked confused.
Suker pointed in one direction.
Srna turned and saw Modrić, Dujmović, and others already running toward Real Madrid's half.
"Those bastards!" Srna cursed and sprinted off.
But he was already too late.
Modrić was already in front of Ronaldo, holding out his jersey.
"Sorry, my jersey's already spoken for," Ronaldo said with a smile.
Modrić tilted his head, not understanding.
Ronaldo gestured to his own shirt, shaking it.
Modrić got the idea and dejectedly put his shirt away.
Then Ronaldo smiled and walked straight toward Suker.
Modrić: "That bastard!!—"
Suker had just gotten up when he saw Ronaldo in front of him.
"You played great!" Ronaldo said, taking off his jersey and handing it over. "This time, I'm initiating the exchange."
Suker didn't understand the words but quickly took off his own jersey and gave a thumbs-up.
Ronaldo returned the thumbs-up with a smile.
"Hey! I wanted to trade with him!"
Beckham came over, complaining:
"Didn't you already trade jerseys last game?"
"He's my fan and was the first to ask."
Beckham looked a bit sour.
He pointed between himself and Ronaldo:
"Who would you pick?"
Suker blinked. Beckham had spoken in English, and he could understand some.
"Wait a second!" Suker said.
He ran to the bench and came back with a brand new jersey, handing it to Beckham with his hand out.
"You greedy little brat."
Still, he gave Suker his jersey too.
Two sweaty match-worn jerseys.
Double the happiness.
"Group leaders! Group leaders! Ohhh~ We're going to the knockout rounds!!"
In the locker room, Suerk and the others were shirtless and jumping up and down.
The joy of the moment was indescribable.
They had come a long way.
From the qualification rounds, stumbling along the way but steadily pushing forward.
And now they had fought their way through a tough group full of giants.
They entered the Champions League Round of 16—as group leaders.
They broke two club records at once.
Though it was a bit disappointing not to win the final game…
They were through—and winning at the Bernabéu was always a tall order.
Besides, they played a great match.
That was the goal, and it was achieved.
Coach Bešić also had good news:
"We'll stay in Madrid for the night and leave tomorrow."
Another round of cheers.
Back at the hotel, Suker's new Motorola Razr phone buzzed.
"This is David Beckham. Here's my number. Have you guys left yet?"
Suker wasn't sure what it meant and asked Dujmović, the team's best English speaker, to translate.
With Dujmović's help, Suker replied:
"Not yet. What's up?" Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novel~fire~net
"Great. There's a party at my estate tonight. Want to come?"
Dujmović suddenly shouted and bolted to his room.
He came back fully dressed.
"I'm ready! When are we leaving?!"
In front of the Madrid hotel, Beckham arrived in his luxury sports car to pick them up.
But when he arrived, a crowd was waiting.
Modrić, Dujmović, Srna, Mandžukić—all grinning widely.
"My car won't fit all of you."
Dujmović raised his hand:
Suker shrugged at Beckham.
Beckham, unable to turn them away, gave them the address and took Suker in his car.
In the passenger seat, Beckham took out a small black device like a phone.
"It's a translator!" Beckham smiled. "You played great!"
Hearing the voice through the speaker, Suker understood.
He spoke a long string into the translator.
Beckham laughed as he heard:
"You played great too—and you're handsome, rich, and have a beautiful wife!"
Beckham burst out laughing.
"You've got a sweet mouth!"
Beckham's estate was in the outskirts of Madrid.
The scenery was beautiful—it really was a full-fledged estate.
They drove a while after entering the gate before reaching the villa area.
When Suker arrived, Modrić and the others were already there.
On the lawn, the barbecue party was already underway.
Ronaldo, Zidane, Carlos, Owen—they were already eating and drinking.
Seeing Suker and Beckham walk up, Ronaldo came over first.
"It's a party today—eat up," Ronaldo said. "Want some wine?"
Suker shook his head:
"It's still league season."
"Discipline is good!"
Suker saw a hint of regret in his eyes.
Surrounded by his idols, Modrić and the others were still shy and reserved.
Sukerer also felt a little awkward—but the smell of grilled meat was already teasing his senses.
Beckham was grilling.
Suk stood with a plate, tongs in hand, urging him on.
They communicated through the translator.
"Is it ready yet? I'm starving!"
"Almost there! Almost!" Beckham laughed.
He picked the biggest piece and put it on Suk's plate.
"This one's for you!"
Suker beamed and dig in.
He tore into the steak while others came over to chat.
Zidane looked at Suker and smiled:
"Ever think about playing for Real Madrid?"
Suk blinked, swallowed his meat, and spoke into the translator:
"Real Madrid is a great club. It's the dream I've chased my whole life. But right now, I still have a lot to improve. I don't deserve it yet!"
Inside, he muttered to himself: What would I even do there? Play defender?
"You…" Zidane chuckled. "Guess we won't be teammates after all."
"That's my regret. You're the greatest midfielder in the world."
Zidane couldn't help but laugh.
"See? How can anyone dislike him?"
"The great Brazilian fullback!" Suker replied seriously.
"The wind-chasing boy!"
Ronaldo pointed at himself:
"What are you comparing with them for?"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Beckham shook his head:
"That's the mindset of a fan!"
Among the superstars, Suker was thriving.
While Modrić and the others stood off to the side, full of envy.
"Why's he so damn likable?"
"He's always been good at making connections," Mandžukić added, staring at his empty plate.
"No more meat. Can I go get another piece?"
He looked longingly at Suker standing beside the grill.
Around 11 PM, Beckham had his driver take them back to the hotel.
Suker left the party full and satisfied, with the phone numbers of multiple superstars.
All earned through his stellar performance.
After a night's rest, they headed home the next day.
When they returned to Zagreb, they were greeted like heroes.
A huge crowd of fans had come to the airport.
It was another moment in history.
Dinamo Zagreb's first time reaching the Champions League group stage—and now their first time advancing to the knockout rounds.
They were among the final 16.
In other words, one of the 16 strongest teams in Europe.