The Milanello training base was still cloaked in off-season silence.
Morning sunshine streamed down brightly, birds chirped on the treetops, and the entire training ground was empty — peaceful and serene.
That quiet was soon broken by the sound of car tires rolling across the pavement.
A car pulled up beside the training field.
Šuker and Kaká got out, both wearing AC Milan's training gear.
Šuker walked straight to the trunk, pulled out a net full of soccer balls, and carried it toward the field.
Kaká followed, holding several training tools.
"I've basically just stayed home this whole break."
"At least you have a vacation. I only get five days!"
"Hey, I've been working too — just not as busy as you."
They chatted as they walked into the empty training ground.
Šuker loosened the bottom of the net, and a dozen balls scattered across the pitch.
The two sat down on the sideline and began changing shoes.
They had arrived in sandals, so it was just a matter of slipping on socks and cleats.
Once they were geared up, Kaká asked,
"Where do we start?"
"We've only got the morning — let's warm up first," said Šuker.
Kaká nodded.
"Sounds good."
They started jogging around the pitch for warm-up.
Then came several sets of sprint drills, getting their bodies fired up.
They even helped stretch each other between sets.
Once that was done, training began in earnest.
Shooting practice was first.
They took turns — one passed, the other shot.
Bang!Bang!Bang!
Each shot was smooth and accurate, targeting the corners.
At this level, with no pressure, professional players have terrifying accuracy — and top-tier attackers like Šuker and Kaká were even more deadly.
An hour passed quickly.
Around 9 AM, Pato finally strolled onto the field.
Recently, he had been training regularly at the Milan base.
To him, breaking free of the Brazilian league and arriving in Europe's top division was a big leap. Now wearing the Milan crest, he knew he had to prove himself through hard work and performance.
He still lived in a modest house, his salary was higher than before, but he was far from the level of stars like Šuker.
He saw that as a goal — something to strive toward.
Pato believed he was already working hard.
That is, until today — when he arrived at the base and heard activity already happening.
The sun lit the empty field, but there were already people training.
Curious, Pato looked over.
And saw Šuker and Kaká.
He was shocked.
These two were Milan's core — easily the most important players in the club right now.
With their status and ability, they should be enjoying vacation… right?
Early training should be for rookies like him.
But now, these two had shown up even earlier than he had.
Pato blinked in disbelief, then walked onto the field.
Šuker and Kaká saw him, but didn't say a word — completely focused on their training.
Pato changed into his cleats at the sideline and waited for a while.He thought maybe they'd invite him to join in.
But they didn't even greet him.
After a few minutes of waiting, Pato picked up a ball and dejectedly walked to another part of the pitch to train alone.
Kaká glanced over instinctively.
"Don't get distracted — I've only got this morning," Šuker called out immediately.
Back to training.
Shooting drills.Ball control.Cone dribbling.All the fundamental work.
When they finally sat face-to-face in front of the goal to rest:
"So," Šuker asked, hugging a ball. "What do we do? Is there no way we can coexist on the pitch?"
Kaká didn't speak, but shook his head.
"Not completely, no. So we need to make some changes. I've been thinking about this over the break," Kaká said.
"What are you thinking?" asked Šuker.
Kaká was silent for a moment, then said:
"You once told me I needed to adapt, right?"
Šuker nodded.
Kaká's playing style burned through career longevity.In the 2006/07 season, when Milan won the Champions League, Kaká had gone all-out — and nearly used up his prime in one season.From then on: a decline in form, injuries, and a long, painful adaptation period.
Šuker had been reminding him to transition, partly out of guilt.
After all, Šuker had benefited from Milan's system — even snatched away what might've been Kaká's Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year.
Would he give them back?
Hell no.
They were his now.
But as a form of repayment, he was determined to help Kaká extend his career and transition successfully.
Last season, thanks to Šuker's rise, Kaká didn't burn himself out.
Now it was time to figure out the path forward — together.
Fortunately, Kaká seemed to have realized the need for change too.
"If I keep playing like this, I'll be in trouble in a season or two. So I took the boss's advice," Kaká admitted.
Šuker was surprised.
"The boss gave you suggestions on how to adapt?"
Kaká nodded.
"Let me start with my strengths."
"In my opinion, my impact is more tactical than strategic — meaning I need a system tailored to me to unlock my potential."
"Remember the last match of last season? When you were marked tightly, the tactics shifted to me. Ivan supported me from behind, and with my quick footwork, even if I can't defend well, once I got the ball, I could immediately counter. Especially on a wide-open pitch — no one in Serie A dares push too high against us. That left me space to play."
"And then there's Pirlo — his control over the field is surgical. He can carve out an entire corridor for me in a vertical half-field. Even if there are defenders, scattered coverage doesn't bother me."
Šuker looked at Kaká — the guy understood himself very well.
He might seem carefree, but clearly thought a lot behind the scenes.
"Now, for the transition!"
Kaká held up two fingers.
"The boss gave me two options."
"Which two?" asked Šuker.
"Defensive midfield or wide midfielder."
"Defensive midfield?!" Šuker was surprised.
With Pirlo still around, turning Kaká into a defensive mid seemed... extremely competitive.
"I'm leaning toward wide midfielder," Kaká explained."I've got good stamina, I can help cover gaps in the formation, drop into the second attacking line, deliver killer passes, make late runs into the box, link up on the flanks — plus, my long shots can still shine."
Šuker looked at him — this guy was voluntarily giving up his tactical privilege.
"Why not go for the No.10 role?" Šuker asked.
Kaká definitely had the skill and potential for that.
"I said it already." Kaká smiled."I'm a tactical player. I need the right system. I'm not someone who can dominate a match all by myself in any setup."
He pointed to himself:
"Tactical."
Then pointed to Šuker:
"Strategic. If we want to coexist, we need complete fusion."
"Either I play your system — or you play mine."
Kaká grinned.
"Are you really going to let me be the boss?"
Šuker turned his head away, refusing to answer.
Kaká couldn't help but laugh.
"You can't even lie to me once?"
Seeing Šuker's stubborn face, Kaká just shook his head.He knew — that was Šuker's personality. He would never play second fiddle.
Then Kaká spoke seriously:
"So, I'll follow your lead."
Šuker looked at him.
"You sure? This kind of transition will cost you a lot."
"I never wanted to be the star of the game. I don't like that. I just want to enjoy playing. If there's too much pressure, I don't enjoy it. So the pressure's yours — the bigger the responsibility, the greater the stress. I'll follow you."
Šuker lowered his head, scratching at it — emotions a bit mixed.
He had already taken Kaká's Ballon d'Or and World Player titles.
Now Kaká was going to be his support player?
The debt just got even bigger.