January 10, Spanish Copa del Rey.Real Madrid hosted Racing Santander at the Bernabéu.
Fielding a full reserve lineup, Real Madrid were locked in a tight 2–2 draw.Racing had impressively come back twice, and the match remained tense.
Time ticked away, yet there were still no substitutions.Pellegrini stood on the sideline, while mainstays like Suker and Casillas sat on the bench.
"Sigh~~~" Suker exhaled heavily.
Pellegrini had lost his cool.It was already the 65th minute and he still hadn't made a substitution—nor did he intend to bring on any starters. This was him being passive-aggressive.
After Florentino agreed to his plan but made him sign a "military pledge" to win the Champions League or leave, Pellegrini had been effectively cornered.
And he wouldn't win the Champions League.So his only path was out.This was Florentino clearing space for the next manager.
In truth, Pellegrini was a bit pitiful.He had just taken over and seemed completely out of sync with the ecosystem of a top club.
He thought his Villarreal tactics would work here.But he hadn't anticipated the complex dressing room politics or the influence of individual stars.
To be fair, if Suker were manager and had to deal with a locker room full of stars undermining him daily, he'd be fed up too.
But there was no helping it.This mess wasn't entirely Pellegrini's fault, but he bore undeniable responsibility.
If he were managing Arsenal, their owner would've loved his frugal style.But Real Madrid wasn't Arsenal, and Florentino wasn't Kroenke.
Even Vicente del Bosque, with two La Liga titles, two Champions League trophies, a UEFA Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup, and two Supercopa wins—was forced out because he was deemed "not starry enough."
If Del Bosque could be ousted, how could Pellegrini possibly survive?
And most critically: Pellegrini failed to align with the locker room's two most influential figures.
When Suker had a fallout with Raúl, Pellegrini stood by passively and lost his chance to win Suker over.Now he was also butting heads with Casillas.
Suker and Casillas were the twin pillars of the dressing room.Offending both, with no results and half-baked tactics to back him up—what was he still doing here?
In summary:Even if he didn't want to go, Pellegrini had no choice.The Champions League was just an excuse.Even if, by miracle, he won it—he was still going.
Florentino wouldn't be swayed once his mind was made up.
As the match neared the 80th minute, Real Madrid finally made substitutions.
"Suker, Ramos—get on and shake the rust off."
Suker said nothing.Whatever Pellegrini said, he followed—there was no point fighting anymore.
But with only ten minutes left, time was tight.And once Suker came on, Racing Santander parked the bus hard—everyone dropping deep, forming a wall in front of goal.
That kind of tactic was always the most annoying.
Suker was frustrated. He barely had ten minutes.
Real Madrid pushed for a late winner.With Suker spearheading the charge, they attacked relentlessly.
"Suker's performance is as dominant as ever. Can Real Madrid break the deadlock against Racing?"
The clock hit injury time.Real Madrid earned consecutive corners.
"Ramos! Get up there and fight for the header!" Suker barked.
In a desperate push, brute force was their best bet.
At the corner flag, Di María was gasping for breath, scanning the crowded box, seeing no clear target.
Then Suker pointed overhead—"Higher!"
Di María smiled bitterly.
He knew Suker was asking for a high ball to the far post—but would it work?
Regardless, he had to take the corner.
Bang!He followed Suker's signal and lofted it higher.
Racing's captain Oriol shouted: "Far post!"
Just then, heavy footsteps thundered past.
He turned—just in time to see Suker launch off the ground.
His right foot slammed down, springing him upward with coiled power—like a volleyball spike approach.
"SUKEEEEEEEEER!!!——"González (commentator) shouted.
The Bernabéu went silent.
Suker was airborne, soaring above the crowd.His body taut, gliding horizontally like a flying arrow.
Ramos looked up, mouth agape.
From his view, Suker had literally taken flight.
Di María stared wide-eyed.
What kind of vertical leap is this?!
In midair, Suker twisted just enough to nod the ball cleanly toward goal.
It flew to the left-hand corner—unstoppable.
SWOOSH!GOAL!90+2 MINUTES – SUKER WINS IT.
"AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"González leapt from his chair, screaming."My God! My God! SUKER WITH THE DAGGER!! He jumped so high—everyone thought it was for the far post—but he headed it in!"
"Perfect delivery by Di María!""Real Madrid leads at the death!"
Suker stumbled on landing, scrambling to stay upright.
He had used every ounce of strength for that jump—but he'd scored.
He sprinted to the corner flag in celebration.
The Bernabéu exploded.
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOO——"
Over 90,000 fans were roaring.Suker had once again delivered in a key moment.
That decisive instinct—this was the Suker they loved.
They chanted his name endlessly.
"SUKER!!!!""SUKER!!!!""SUKER!!!!"
The entire stadium pulsed with his name.
Even Pellegrini stood stunned.He had subbed Suker on just to help him regain form.
But Suker scored the winner.
Pellegrini had wanted to give up on the Copa del Rey.But Suker's goal said otherwise.
It should've been a joyous moment.But Pellegrini just felt awkward.
His long-suppressed resentment made it feel like Suker was silently protesting against him.
Final score: Real Madrid 3–2 Racing Santander.
The Copa del Rey is two-legged.Real Madrid only needed a draw away to advance.
A hard-fought win, but one that lifted the team's morale.Even the substitutes were inspired.
Di María looked at Suker—his eyes sparkling.He'd never seen such willpower and killer instinct before.
When everyone else had accepted the draw, Suker stepped up like a hero.
"That last header was incredible," Casillas beamed, throwing an arm over Suker's shoulders.
Casillas had backed keeping the Copa del Rey campaign alive.This win made him truly happy.
"Be honest—you agree with me, don't you? You don't want to give up the Copa either!" he asked eagerly.
Suker grinned. "I just want to win."
It was true—he wanted both the win and the cup.But he wouldn't say it outright.
He didn't want to get dragged into the Casillas vs. Pellegrini feud.
To Suker, the early rounds of the Copa were easy.As long as they didn't draw a strong team, even the reserves could reach the semis.
And once in the semis, regardless of what Pellegrini said—they'd have to go full strength.
If Pellegrini still wanted to forfeit then—Suker would be the first to confront him.
He had his own way of doing things.He didn't curry favor with anyone—he didn't need to.
He stayed quiet only to avoid drama.But if his interests were at stake, Suker would fight back.
He had ousted Bilic from the national team.He wouldn't hesitate to challenge Pellegrini at Madrid.
The Champions League Round of 16 would begin on February 17.
Before that, Madrid would play six La Liga games and five Copa del Rey matches.
The six La Liga fixtures:
Jan 11 (R17) vs Mallorca
Jan 17 (R18) @ Athletic Bilbao
Jan 24 (R19) vs Malaga
Jan 30 (R20) @ Deportivo
Feb 6 (R21) vs Espanyol
Feb 13 (R22) @ Xerez
The good news:By the time the Champions League kicked off, the Copa del Rey semifinals would be done.The final wouldn't be until May, after a three-month break.
That meant:Maintain form in the league.Let the backups carry the Copa to the semis.Then go full strength for the cup.
If they made it that far, Pellegrini would have no excuse to back out.
"Di María! What a brilliant run and strike! A stunning goal!""Real Madrid leads Osasuna 2–1!"
"With the first leg having ended 1–0 to Madrid, the aggregate is now 3–1!""With less than 5 minutes left, Osasuna are out of time!"
Even with reserves, Madrid were now in the Copa semifinals.That's the strength of a true footballing giant.
The bench erupted in cheers.Suker leapt up and pumped his fists.
Everyone was celebrating wildly.Madrid had made it to the semis with their backup squad.
Suker was fired up.Once they reached the semis, the starters would take over.
Pellegrini watched this in silence, feeling conflicted.
He had already mentally given up the Copa del Rey.But the backups defied expectations—and now, they were in the final four.
He couldn't back out now.Any further resistance would tear the locker room apart.
Everyone on the bench was cheering and hugging.No one looked at him.No one included him in their joy.
Pellegrini felt utterly isolated.
He had taken the wrong side in this battle.
First with Casillas.Now, Suker wouldn't even talk to him.
With that military pledge hanging over him, Pellegrini was exhausted.
He no longer had the confidence to lead Real Madrid to any title.
"Maybe... it really is time to leave."He muttered to himself.
Full-time: Real Madrid 3–1 Osasuna (on aggregate).
Madrid advance to the Copa del Rey semifinals.
Even better—Barcelona were knocked out by Sevilla.That cleared a path for Madrid.
They'd ridden their luck and reserve squad to the semis.Now they had a real shot at the final.
🎶"Staying forever young
Singin' songs underneath the sun
Let's rejoice in the beautiful game
And together at the end of the day"🎶
Marcelo belted out a tune in the locker room.
It was the brand-new 2010 World Cup anthem sponsored by Coca-Cola, performed by Canadian artist K'naan: "Wavin' Flag."
The moment it dropped, it blew up.Its catchy melody and upbeat African vibes won everyone over instantly.
With World Cup fever rising, this song became an instant hit.
Marcelo shouted:
"Let's all sing it together!!"
Suddenly the whole locker room jumped up, dancing wildly.
🎶"When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom just like a wavin' flag
When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom just like a wavin' flag
So wave your flag, now wave your flag
Now wave your flag (Oh)"
Marcelo jumped on a table, yelling:
"ONE MORE TIME!!"
The energetic beat and singing rattled the entire Real Madrid dressing room.
The players were twisting their hips, laughing, shouting.
It wasn't just the win.It wasn't just the semis.It wasn't just Barça's exit.It wasn't just the World Cup fever.
It was everything at once.
Suker and Casillas played around for a bit before settling down.
"The World Cup is coming," Casillas said, eyes blazing.
"This time, we're not losing to you guys."
Suker shrugged. "We'll see."
Then they looked around the locker room—and smiled.
2010 South Africa feels different.
The hype and anticipation were stronger than ever.
So far, there was just one official anthem—Wavin' Flag.Shakira's "Waka Waka" hadn't dropped yet.
Once it did, things would go even crazier.
Just yesterday, Suker received an invitation to appear in the World Cup promo video.
As one of the sport's biggest stars, there was no way the organizers were leaving him out.
Nike also contacted him about a new World Cup campaign featuring all their sponsored players.
Suker had joined the Croatian national team in 2007.Three years had flown by.Now the 2010 South Africa World Cup was just around the corner.
Only four months to go.
The national team called multiple times, repeatedly stressing:
"No injuries allowed!"
They also requested a full medical report—to put their minds at ease.
All of it pointed to one thing:
Every four years, the pinnacle of football returns.The 2010 South Africa World Cup is almost here!