As Dahoud's penalty sailed wide, the Allianz Arena erupted in celebration. Bayern Munich had secured yet another DFL-Supercup victory, extending their dominance over Borussia Dortmund. The final score stood at 3-3 after extra time, with Bayern winning 5-4 on penalties.
The match had been a grueling, with both teams showing signs of fatigue and lack of match fitness. It was, after all, still early in the season, and many players were still finding their rhythm. For Dortmund, the absence of players like Hummels and Raphael Guerreiro due to injuries had been felt strongly.
Despite their best efforts, they had once again fallen short when it mattered most. It was a familiar story for the Black and Yellows, who had been trying to close the gap on Bayern for years.
As the Bayern players celebrated on the pitch, Luka stood motionless, his face a mask of disappointment and frustration. He had known it would be difficult to win, but the reality of the defeat hit him hard. Without waiting for his teammates or the post-match ceremonies, Luka turned and walked towards the tunnel, his head bowed.
As he reached the tunnel, his frustration boiled over. He kicked an empty water bottle, sending it clattering against the wall.
Luka continued walking, not stopping for the reporters who called out to him. He made his way straight to the dressing room, his mind racing with thoughts of what could have been.
"I should have been starting," he thought to himself, clenching his fists. "Marco didn't make the necessary changes. We were too cautious, too reactive. We played right into their hands."
As Luka sat alone in the dressing room, his thoughts were interrupted by the distant sound of his phone buzzing. He ignored it, not ready to face the outside world just yet.
Meanwhile, in Portugal, the national team coaching staff was huddled in a meeting room, discussing their plans for the upcoming U21 squad selection. The name on everyone's lips was Luka Zorić.
"We need to get him in the U21s now," Fernando Santos, the head coach of the senior team, insisted. "His performance in the Supercup, even as a substitute, was impressive. He could be a key player for us in the future."
Mendeshad been in constant communication with the Portuguese Football Federation. He believed that Luka could be the perfect support for Cristiano Ronaldo in the senior team, but he agreed that starting in the U21s was the right move.
"The plan stays the same," Mendes had told them. "We get Luka into the U21s, let him adapt to the Portuguese system, and then fast-track him to the senior team. He's got the potential to be a superstar."
The coaching staff nodded in agreement. They had seen the impact young talents like João Félix and Rúben Dias had made, and they believed Luka could be the next in line.
Across the Adriatic Sea, in Croatia, the mood was tense. The Croatian Football Federation had been monitoring Luka's situation closely, hoping against hope that he would choose to represent the country of his heritage.
Zlatko Dalić, the head coach of the Croatian national team, paced back and forth in his office. "We need Luka," he said to his assistant. "With Modrić nearing the end of his career, we need a player who can step up and be the creative force for us."
The assistant nodded solemnly. "But will he choose us? The competition from England and Portugal is fierce."
Dalić sighed. "We have to try. Luka could be crucial for us. Apart from Modrić, we don't have anyone else who can be considered truly world-class in that position. And Luka... he has the potential to be even better."
The Croatian federation had been working tirelessly, reaching out to Luka's family, emphasizing his Croatian roots, and painting a picture of him leading the national team to glory. They knew it was a long shot, but they couldn't afford to give up.
<>
As Marco Rose addressed the team in the dressing room, his words barely registered with Luka. His mind was far away, grappling with the decision that lay before him.
Croatia, the land of his mother's birth. He could picture himself wearing the iconic red and white checkered jersey, following in the footsteps of legends like Davor Šuker. The thought of representing the country where that he loved so deeply, provoked a sense of nostalgia.
Yet, he couldn't ignore the fact that Croatia's golden generation was nearing its twilight. While they had achieved incredible success, reaching the World Cup final in 2018 and the semi-finals in 2022, the team was undeniably on a downward trajectory. Many of their star players were approaching retirement age, and the next generation of talent wasn't quite at the same level.
On the other hand, Portugal beckoned with the promise of a brighter future. The squad was brimming with talent, players like João Félix, Rúben Dias, and Bruno Fernandes who were just entering their prime. The thought of playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, even if only for a short time, was incredibly tempting. Portugal had underperformed in recent tournaments, but Luka could see the potential for greatness.
However, would he ever truly feel at home in that team?
As Luka's mind raced through these thoughts, he barely noticed his teammates filing out of the dressing room. It wasn't until he heard his name being called that he snapped back to reality.
"Luka! Hey, Luka!" Jude Bellingham was standing at the door, concern etched on his face. "You coming, mate?"
Luka blinked, realizing he was the last one left in the room. "Yeah, sorry. Just... lost in thought."
As he gathered his things and followed Jude out, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was Jorge Mendes calling, no doubt eager to discuss the national team situation. Luka silenced the call, not ready to have that conversation just yet.
Later that evening, as Luka sat in his apartment, still mulling over his decision, his phone rang again. This time, it was his father. Luka hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Hello, Dad," he said, his voice betraying his emotional turmoil.
"Luka, my boy," his father's voice came through, warm and comforting. "I saw the match today. Tough result, but you played well when you came on."
"Thanks," Luka replied, not really in the mood to discuss the game.
His father seemed to sense his son's distress. "What's on your mind, Luka? Is it the national team decision?"
Luka sighed, relieved to finally talk about it. "Yeah. I just... I don't know what to do, Dad. Croatia feels right in my heart, but Portugal might be the better career move. I'm torn."
There was a pause on the other end of the line before his father spoke again, his voice filled with wisdom and understanding.
"Luka, let me tell you something about football, about life really. Everyone these days is so focused on trophies, on success, on making the 'smart' career moves. But that's not what football is really about at its core."
Luka listened intently as his father continued.
"Football is about passion, about the beauty of the game. It's about the feeling you get when you step onto the pitch, when you hear the roar of the crowd, when you pull on that jersey. It's about representing something bigger than yourself."
His father's words struck a chord in Luka's heart.
"But remember, Luka, whatever you choose, you need to give it your all. Football at this level demands everything from you – your diet, your training, your discipline. If you want to be the best player you can be, you need to commit yourself fully."
Luka nodded, even though his father couldn't see him. "I understand, Dad. But how do I make this choice?"
His father's voice softened. "Listen to your heart, Luka. In the end, that's what matters most. Choose the path that feels right to you, not what others think is best for your career. Football is more than just a job – it's a part of who you are."
As the call ended, Luka felt a sense of clarity washing over him. His father's words had resonated deeply, reminding him of why he fell in love with football in the first place.
The next morning, Luka made his decision. He called Jorge Mendes, his voice firm and resolute.
"Jorge, I've made my choice," he said.
Mendes, sensing the importance of the moment, listened silently.
"I'm choosing Croatia," Luka continued. "It's where my heart is, where I feel I belong. I know it might not be the most strategic career move, but it's the right choice for me."
There was a pause before Mendes responded. "If that's your decision, Luka, I'll support you. I'll make the necessary arrangements."
As Luka ended the call, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He knew the path ahead wouldn't be easy, but he was ready to face the challenge.
Meanwhile, in the Croatian national team camp, the atmosphere was tense as they awaited news. The coaching staff had been on edge for days, hoping against hope that Luka would choose to represent them.
Suddenly, Zlatko Dalić's phone rang. It was Jorge Mendes.
"Hello, Mr. Dalić," Mendes' voice came through. "I have some news for you regarding Luka Zorić."
Dalić held his breath, his heart racing.
"Luka has decided to declare for Croatia," Mendes announced. "He's ready to join the national team setup whenever you're prepared to bring him in."
The room erupted in cheers as Dalić shared the news. The Croatian Football Federation had won the race for one of the most promising young talents in world football.
As the excitement died down, Dalić turned to his assistant, a determined look in his eyes. "Now the real work begins," he said. "We need to integrate Luka into the team, help him reach his full potential. He could be the key to our future success."
FIFA had scheduled World Cup qualifiers for European teams, with matches set to take place between September 1st and September 8th. This would be the first international break of the new season, providing a crucial opportunity for national teams to assess their squads and build momentum for the qualifying campaign.
For Croatia, this break would be particularly significant. They were set to face Russia and Slovakia in Group H of the UEFA qualifiers, and the coaching staff was eager to integrate Luka Zorić into the squad as soon as possible. Dalić and his team were already discussing how best to utilize Luka's talents within the existing team structure.
Meanwhile, back in Dortmund, Luka found himself reflecting deeply on the conversation with his father. The words about becoming the best player he could be resonated strongly with him. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, their extraordinary success was built not just on talent, but on relentless hard work and dedication, thye put in more effort into their game than any other player has.
While his technical skills were practically already the best they could be, beside a few minor stats, there was still room for improvement, especially in his physical conditioning. He knew that to truly excel at the highest level, he needed to push himself even further.
Luka made a decision. Despite the late hour and the fact that official training was over for the day, he resolved to head back to the Dortmund training ground.