"Champions!!!!!!——"
"We are the champions!!!!!!——"
AC Milan's substitutes and coaching staff charged onto the field like madmen, hugging the players on the pitch and celebrating wildly.
Suker had already lain down on the ground, but was quickly buried under a pile of celebrating teammates.
"Champions!!!!!!"
"Five to zero!! Hahahaha!!"
"Revenge! We got our revenge!"
The Milan players were especially fired up—much more than the last time they won the title.
After all, this was a victory of revenge.
And not just any revenge—it was practically a slaughter.
They might never undo the pain of Istanbul, but they had now left Liverpool with a permanent shadow.
As the hero of the match, Suker naturally became the center of attention.
Before long, he was surrounded by Milan players, who began tossing him into the air and catching him repeatedly.
In the air, Suker flailed his limbs, clearly uneasy.
But the Milan players were having a blast.
With the camera focused on the celebration, Italian commentator Aldo Cerrella couldn't help but reflect:
"We have to admit, a generational change has begun. The players we've known and admired are gradually stepping off the stage—Zidane has retired, Ronaldo, Beckham, Raúl, Maldini, Costacurta... they're all fading out."
"But on football's grand stage, there is never a shortage of newcomers."
"I can't promise that Suker will be the brightest of them all—but for now, he is absolutely the most watched player in the world."
"His performance is undeniable. This season, it was almost Suker alone who carried Milan to the Champions League final. He deserves every bit of honor."
"Let's also applaud Liverpool. Though they lost, they still gave us a thrilling match."
At that moment, Cerrella cracked a bit of a smile—perhaps realizing he was poking at Liverpool's wounds.
"Let us once again congratulate Milan—they are the 2006/2007 Champions League winners, and now back-to-back champions!"
"Up next: the award ceremony."
Back on the pitch, Suker was finally put down by Maldini and the others.
"Come on, it's time to receive the trophy."
Everyone headed toward the south side of the stadium, where the podium stood at the front of the stands. There, a lineup of officials was already waiting:
UEFA President Johansson
Italian FA President
AC Milan Chairman Berlusconi
Local Athens officials
The champions stood on the left, and the runners-up on the right.
On Milan's side—joy, laughter, and pride filled the air.
On Liverpool's side—the atmosphere was gloomy, as if they had just suffered a national tragedy. The near-massacre they had endured made the pain unbearable.
Coach Ancelotti was going around shaking hands with the Liverpool players, offering comfort.But with the beaming smile on his face, it felt more like gloating than sympathy.
Liverpool coach Benítez was supposed to return the gesture and greet the Milan side.
But in the end, he didn't come over—too ashamed to face them.
The stadium resounded with wave after wave of cheers.
Under the camera lens, the contrast between Milan and Liverpool fans was stark.
The Milan fans sang proudly, belting out chants with everything they had, their joy erupting for this glorious moment.
The Liverpool fans, however, looked blank and numb—mentally shattered by the scale of the defeat, not even sure what to do with themselves.
Soon, Liverpool players ascended the stage first, to receive their runner-up medals.
Gerrard led the way.
You could tell—the legendary captain was trying to force a smile.
Inside, he was torn apart by pain and regret—but he still tried to stay composed.
Each handshake seemed to pull his facial muscles—he appeared to smile, but his eyes were hollow.
Gerrard was already doing better than most.
Other Liverpool players couldn't even fake a smile—some hung their heads, crying.
But this is football—the strong win, the weak lose.
There is only one champion.
Tonight, Athens belonged to AC Milan.
"Our turn!"Maldini called out and waved to Suker.
"Suker! Come here!"
Suker poked his head from the back of the line and pointed to himself:
"Me?"
Maldini nodded and waved again.
Suker jogged over:
"Boss, what's up?"
Maldini smiled and pulled Suker to stand directly behind him.
"Follow me when we go up."
Suker didn't know what was going on, but nodded.
Soon, the stadium rang out with the classic Queen anthem "We Are the Champions."
As the powerful chorus filled the air, Milan fans sang along in unison.
With the music, the Milan players began ascending the podium.
Suker followed Maldini up.
"Ah, young man! You were phenomenal today."UEFA President Johansson warmly shook Suker's hand.
"I believe you will earn many more honors in your career."
He placed the gold medal around Suker's neck.
"This medal belongs to you."
Suker touched his second Champions League winner's medal, grinning from ear to ear.
"Here! Look over here—let's take a photo together."
After the photo with Johansson, Suker moved on to shake hands with the Italian FA President, who gave him a big hug and patted his shoulder warmly.
Then came Berlusconi, who was so ecstatic that he grabbed Suker by the waist and lifted him up.
"I'm gonna fall! I'm gonna fall!"
Suker panicked, patting Berlusconi's arm. The old man was clearly wobbling—how could he handle Suker's weight?
"Great job!"Berlusconi cried out, and even kissed Suker on the forehead in his excitement.
Suker internally cringed but let it slide.
Who wants to be kissed by an old man anyway?!
After all the handshakes, they finally arrived at the Champions League trophy.
The trophy had already been engraved:"2006/2007 UEFA Champions League Winner – AC Milan"
The silver trophy, with its iconic big "ears," stood as the highest honor in European football.
This was Milan's eighth such trophy.
What makes a club a true giant? Their glorious history full of honors.
One by one, the Milan players approached the stage with their gold medals.
Once they were all gathered—it was the moment everyone had been waiting for.
"Suker! Come here again!"Maldini called.
He then handed one handle of the trophy to Suker.
"Let's lift it together!"
Traditionally, the Champions League trophy is first lifted by the team captain.
There's no written rule—but it's an unspoken custom.
But this time, Maldini was willing to share the moment with Suker.
Because this trophy, this glory—was largely earned by Suker.
And of course—Suker wasn't going to say no.
He'd been waiting to do this for a long time.
The two of them, one on each handle of the trophy.
Right as the music hit the chorus—"We are the champions"—the Milan fans roared together:
CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!——
BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!Fireworks lit up the Athens night sky.
Under the dazzling explosions, Suker and Maldini lifted the trophy together.
In this night of glory, this night of revenge—
Milan won everything.
They not only crushed Liverpool and washed away their shame, but they also claimed their eighth Champions League trophy.
For Liverpool—it was the Massacre Night in Athens.For AC Milan—it was the Glory Night in Athens.
On this night, Athens—and the entire world—belonged to AC Milan.
They became the center of global attention.
And as Champions League Golden Boot winner, Suker lifted both the Champions League trophy in his left hand and the Golden Boot in his right.
He was also named Champions League Player of the Season—though that award wasn't handed out just yet.
That night—Suker stood at the very peak of Europe.