From September to October, the European football scene was filled with thrilling events.
Leading the headlines was Suker, who scored a hat-trick in just 10 minutes during La Liga's fourth round as Real Madrid hosted Espanyol. The match was effectively over within the first 21 minutes of the first half.
Once again, Suker became the center of attention across Europe.
Across four league games, Suker scored six goals, putting him in absolutely blazing form.
Trailing right behind on the La Liga top scorer chart were Kaka and Messi, both with four goals.
Real Madrid's attacking power left everyone in awe.
The media erupted, declaring, "The true Galácticos have set sail!"
Cristiano Ronaldo also stole headlines with five goals in the two Champions League matches, outscoring Suker to top the scoring chart.
His four-goal performance against Bursaspor especially drew media attention, putting the Portuguese star back into the spotlight.
Meanwhile in the Premier League, Gareth Bale dazzled again—after blasting past Maicon, he led Tottenham to a narrow 1–0 victory over Arsenal, marking a long-awaited win in the North London Derby.
Fabregas, Arsenal's core player, was sidelined with injury, and many viewed that absence as the key reason for their loss.
Bale's performance gained widespread recognition, attracting attention from multiple clubs toward the Welsh star.
Over in Germany, Bayern Munich, after years of ups and downs, began showing incredible strength this season thanks to a more unified German core.
With new additions like Mandžukić and Vukojević, their attack and defense were significantly bolstered.
Their domestic dominance increased, and they also showcased immense strength in the Champions League.
Bayern Munich were still fixated on AC Milan, repeatedly telling the media they hoped to face Milan in the knockout rounds.
Their desire for revenge burned brighter than ever.
From Belgium, Genk defeated Lyon in their second leg Champions League clash.
This game drew attention due to a 19-year-old named Kevin De Bruyne, who was already the team's midfield core. He delivered several beautiful, artistic passes throughout the match.
Most notably, he replicated the famous "rainbow" pass.
Multiple rainbow passes tore apart Lyon's defense, helping Genk secure a 2–1 victory.
After the match, De Bruyne revealed that Suker was his idol. He had watched Suker perform the rainbow pass in a Champions League game and was inspired to practice it until he mastered it.
"Hey! It's that rainbow pass again."
Srna chuckled. "Kaka can do it, Skolk can do it, and now even this Belgian kid! Doesn't seem that unique anymore."
Suker glanced at the soft-faced youngster in the newspaper and scratched his cheek awkwardly.
What a huge misunderstanding!He had actually learned it from De Bruyne—but now people thought he was the originator, inspiring De Bruyne's signature move.
"Suker's rainbow pass is smoother, though," Kaka chimed in.
"Let's stop talking about it," Suker waved it off.
Srna smirked, "Why do you look so guilty? You're the originator! The rainbow pass is so cool though—I just can't learn it. Mind teaching me?"
Suker: "Learn my ass. You should practice your crossing more!"
By late October, Real Madrid had completed three Champions League group stage matches:
Match 1: AC Milan 1–3 Real Madrid
Match 2: Real Madrid 2–0 Auxerre
Match 3: Ajax 0–3 Real Madrid
They conceded only one goal while scoring eight, showing outstanding performance on both ends of the pitch.
As their defense continued to gel, their overall performance kept improving.
Ramos and Pepe, now paired at center-back, were showing excellent chemistry—one pressing forward, the other covering behind.
This allowed Srna and Marcelo to push forward along the flanks more frequently.
Their defensive rotations became increasingly smooth.
With every passing match, Real Madrid's defensive precision and tactical detail sharpened.
Since the start of the season, Real Madrid remained unbeaten in both La Liga and the Champions League.
Many media outlets pointed out that because Real Madrid hadn't lost yet, they hadn't exposed their weaknesses.
For a team under tactical reconstruction, many believed that only through losing could they identify and address their flaws.
But Mourinho disagreed.
"Losing isn't necessary to find problems," he said."Losing and then trying to fix things is for amateurs.""Winning while still identifying weaknesses—that's what we're doing."
Their fierce counterattack was a key weapon.
Whenever weaknesses were exposed mid-match, they would immediately attack to cover them up—winning the match, then addressing the issues in training.
This was Real Madrid's rhythm.
After eight rounds in La Liga, Real Madrid had 8 wins from 8.
Barcelona closely followed with 7 wins and 1 draw.
Only two points separated the two sides.
The upcoming Spanish El Clásico was scheduled for round 13, on November 24, just one month away.
Before that, Real Madrid had to maintain their league momentum and continue their Champions League campaign.
On October 31, La Liga Round 9, Real Madrid hosted Hércules CF.
Hércules was newly promoted this season and had dominated the Segunda Division with a 20-match unbeaten run.
They entered La Liga ambitious and eager to prove themselves—only to be slapped hard by Sevilla in the first round, leaving them dazed.
The once-dominant Segunda side now found themselves winless after 9 rounds.
Facing Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, they were under immense pressure.
Their only consolation: the chance to play at the legendary Bernabéu against a world-class team.
Starting Lineups:
Real Madrid (4-3-3)GK: CasillasDefenders: Srna, Ramos, Carvalho, MarceloMidfielders: Khedira, Alonso, Di MaríaForwards: Kaka, Benzema, Suker
Hércules (4-4-2)GK: CalatayudDefenders: Peña, Cortés, Rodri, PamarotMidfielders: Gómez, Fritzler, Aguilar, TomoteForwards: Trezeguet, Valdez
Suker noticed something surprising in Hércules' lineup—Trezeguet.
Back when Suker played for AC Milan, Trezeguet had caused them plenty of trouble. Suker remembered him well.
It was surprising to see a once top-class Juventus striker now with a newly promoted La Liga team.
Then again, it made sense—Trezeguet was 33, and his form was clearly declining.
"Long time no see!" Trezeguet smiled, shaking Suker's hand.
Suker patted his shoulder and nodded.They weren't close friends, but as former rivals who had witnessed each other's peaks, there was mutual respect.
But make no mistake—Suker wasn't going to go easy.
Boom!
Just four minutes in, Alonso launched a long ball behind Hércules' left back.
Their defender turned to chase.
But Suker was faster.
Whoosh!!Though they started at the same time, Suker left his marker in the dust in just two strides.
"Damn!" Peña shouted, stretching his arm.
But Suker accelerated even more.
"He's got another gear?!"
Suker surged forward and cushioned the falling ball perfectly, positioning himself to face the goal.
Still some distance away, Suker accelerated again, cutting horizontally into the box.
"Stop him!" Hércules defenders shouted.
Suker tapped the ball out wide to Benzema, who played it right back.
A quick one-two saw Suker arrive near the penalty spot.
Feigning a shot, he paused—his defender slid right past.
Then with a toe-poke, he sent the ball skimming toward the far post.
It zipped into the net.
5 minutes in. 1–0.
The Bernabéu erupted.
Over 90,000 fans chanted Suker's name in unison.
"This is Real Madrid! Give them one chance—they turn it into a goal! Efficient and ruthless. Hércules is being completely dominated!"
"Suker is playing as brilliantly as ever. It's unimaginable how consistent he's been since entering the top five leagues—he's still this good!"
"How can any young challengers maintain their confidence watching this? It's madness!"
"9 matches. 15 goals! The season's only just begun, and this Croatian star is already striking fear into every defender in La Liga!"
As the crowd roared, Trezeguet slowly returned to his half.
His gaze lingered on Suker.
There was a mix of emotions in his eyes—helplessness, sadness, reflection.
He remembered when Suker had just joined AC Milan during Serie A's glory days.
That young lad assisting Shevchenko had now grown into a greater player—even poised to become the best active footballer in the world.
Trezeguet shook his head.
Their generation was over.
A new era had begun.
Different times, but equally brilliant.
Trezeguet realized that Suker's sights were no longer on being the best current player.
If he maintained this form, he'd become the brightest star of this era.
Suker was aiming higher—toward history, toward names like Pelé and Maradona.
90 minutes later:Real Madrid sealed a clean 2–0 win at home over Hércules.
Trezeguet had a few chances, but he was no longer the deadly striker of old. His aging body could no longer finish like before.
"Full-time whistle! Suker and Di María both scored!"
"Di María has impressed since becoming a starter—2 goals and 2 assists already, while Diarra's been firmly benched!"
The victory extended Real Madrid's winning streak.
As they walked back through the tunnel, Suker noticed Diarra.
Not the man, but his jersey.
Number 10.
The last Real Madrid number 10 had been Sneijder. After he left, the shirt passed to Diarra.
But a number 10 who couldn't get game time? What a waste.
Suker thought the 10 should go to Kaka.
Unfortunately, that was politically impossible.
The Spanish-local faction would go crazy. Alonso was a safer option.
Of course, this required Diarra leaving.You couldn't just rip it off him—not with Casillas still around.
Plus, Suker didn't want to spark more conflict.
So he just let it go.
With the win, Real Madrid had nine consecutive league victories.
They were also undefeated in the Champions League.
Three days later, they'd host Ajax in the fourth Champions League group stage match.
They had a three-day training window, but Suker had a special assignment.
"Children with heart disease?"
Suker looked at Pérez, Real Madrid's marketing director.
He was responsible for the club's branding and image.
This time, they had found a great idea to boost Suker's public image.
"It's a congenital heart condition. The boy hasn't been able to exercise, but he loves football—and he's a fan of ours. Yours, especially," Pérez explained.
"He's about to undergo surgery. His father wrote us, asking if we could give him some encouragement."
He looked at Suker.
"We hope you can spare a day."
Zorancic, nearby, looked at Suker, about to object—
But Suker spoke first:
"Half a day, okay? I can't give a whole day."
"Half a day?" Pérez was stunned.
He had only hoped for an hour.
"More than enough! I'll get everything arranged immediately!"
Suker nodded.
As Pérez left, Zorancic looked at Suker in surprise.
"You actually said yes?"
"Why not? It's meaningful," Suker replied.
"But it's charity—no pay!"
"Zorancic, you disgust me."
Zorancic blinked, then cursed.
"Not cool, man."
Suker chuckled.
"That was then. This is now. People change. Back then I had no money or awareness—just climbing the ladder was my goal."
"And now?"
Suker looked out the window.
"Now… I think I should be doing more. And it doesn't affect anything, right?"
Zorancic gave a thumbs-up.
"I see you in a whole new light!"
"Do I have to do this?"
Suker stood outside the hospital room, annoyed.
The plan was to surprise the child by hiding behind the door.
But to Suker, it felt tacky.
"Aren't you worried the kid might have a heart attack from the surprise?"
Pérez hesitated.
"Okay, better just walk in normally."
Suker immediately stepped into the room.
Soon, little Andrés and his family entered.
Suker followed behind.
"Surprise!"
People around shouted.
Suker could only force a smile.
Andrés blinked, smiled, and held out his hand.
"Hello, Suker. You can call me Andrés."
"You're not surprised?" Suker asked, shaking his hand.
Andrés pointed to the cameras.
"With all those cameras? I'm not blind. Plus, I know my dad wrote to you guys. I just didn't think you'd actually come. I'm really happy!"
He was six years old, wearing a hospital gown, and looked very frail. In his hands was a sketchbook.
"What's that?" Suker asked.
Everyone cleared space.
On camera: just Suker and Andrés.
"It's my sketchbook," the boy smiled.
He was a cheerful kid.
"Can I take a look?"
"Of course!"
He opened it to the first page.
It was a crayon drawing.
Despite the rough style, it clearly showed Suker in AC Milan's 1999 kit standing by the sideline.
"This is…?" Suker asked.
"Your Milan debut!"
"You started following me back then? You were like, one year old!"
"No way! I watched the video. I really became your fan just last year."
Suker nodded. They kept flipping.
"Wait… I don't remember ever wearing number 22!"
"That's not you. That's Kaka."
"Kaka?" Suker was shocked. "How'd it switch to Kaka?"
"I liked him for a while. But I'm sure you won't mind!"
Suker did mind.
"Why?"
"Because he's handsome!"
"So in one year, you liked me, then Kaka, then me again?"
"I never said I came back," Andrés said cheekily.
"Then I'm leaving."
HAHAHAHA!Andrés burst out laughing.
"Just kidding! I'm your die-hard fan!"