Chapter 300: Chapter 299: Go-Karting and F1 (Vote for monthly tickets!)
This year’s Golden Ball award was particularly controversial, yet it also showcased Real Madrid’s tremendous influence.
Given the European Championship, performances in European competitions became an extremely important factor.
Beckham and Maldini were tied for tenth place.
Raul took ninth.
Mendieta secured eighth.
Batistuta landed in seventh.
Rivaldo was sixth.
Nesta burst into fifth place.
Henry, with his outstanding performance in the European Championship, advanced to fourth place among the world’s football giants.
Shevchenko climbed to third place thanks to his extraordinary performance last season.
In the end, the Golden Ball would be awarded to either Figo or Zidane.
Both players had unremarkable club achievements the previous year and had not reached their ideal form.
However, they both led their respective countries to breakthroughs in this year’s European Championship.
Figo led Spain’s golden generation into the semi-finals of the European Championship for the first time in Portugal’s history.
But the team that defeated them was Zidane-led France.
Moreover, the French team lifted the Delaunay Trophy at the end of the competition.
Zidane’s disadvantage was that Henry split the votes.
Figo’s disadvantage was that he lost directly to his rival, Zidane.
But in the end, Figo reaped the intangible rewards of his summer transfer from Barcelona to Real Madrid.
With the support of Real Madrid, Figo narrowly defeated Zidane and successfully won this year’s Golden Ball award.
To say that Zidane had no objections would be impossible.
This was an honor bestowed by France Football, yet the Spaniards held a dominant position in this award, bestowing it on a Portuguese if they decided so.
To this day, Zidane could not help but recall a conversation he had had with Deng Kai in 1998 when he became Mr. Golden Ball and World Footballer of the Year.
Back then, Zidane believed that Juventus was the best place for him for life.
But Deng Kai did not think so.
Deng Kai suggested that Zidane should be able to sense some undercurrents stirring.
One day in the future, Zidane would find a place that suited him even better.
Now, Zidane felt he had found it.
There was no doubt that if Zidane had been in La Liga, this year’s Golden Ball would have had nothing to do with Figo.
Zidane had made up his mind.
Because Figo was the awardee, naturally he sought out Deng Kai, his compatriot, to celebrate during the final photo session.
With Deng Kai holding the Golden Ball, anyone unaware could have mistaken it for the fifteen-year-old winning the award.
After celebrating, Deng Kai also came over to console Zidane.
But with just one look, Zidane realized his thoughts had been read.
"It’s okay, no need to hide, Zidane," Deng Kai expressed magnanimously, "Even though you were eliminated from the Champions League group stages with the shameful record of finishing last in the group, which has become Real Madrid’s favorite means of attacking you."
"But you know, I’m not someone who sees everything through a lens of class."
"You accepted and respected me even when I wasn’t even a professional football player."
"So when you fall on hard times, I’ll only extend a helping hand, that’s just my character."
Deng Kai extended his hand.
Zidane even felt a bit moved.
Such a grand vision, huh?
"Stand up, Zidane. Lisbon Athletic’s core player Deng Kai, who has now broken into the last 16 of the Europa League, will absolutely not look down on Juventus’ Zidane, who is not qualified to continue in the Europa League! I swear on my noble character..."
Zidane slapped Deng Kai on the shoulder, not knowing whether to cry or laugh.
Of course, he wouldn’t care about a last-16 spot in the Europa League, but the current Juventus really couldn’t even play in the last-16 because they came fourth in the group, not third.
But even if Juventus ended up last this year, no one would think Lisbon Athletic were stronger than Juventus, or Deng Kai stronger than Zidane.
However, this is precisely why Zidane was somewhat helpless with Deng Kai.
The man’s naivety sometimes served as a remedy for bitterness.
Zidane envied Deng Kai’s mentality.
"That said, Portugal really has too few people. In a few days, the World Footballer of the Year is still going to be you," Deng Kai seriously consoled a few words.
This is also why Zidane was able to maintain a trace of grace.
The World Footballer of the Year placed even more emphasis on fame, and in this aspect, Figo could not compare with Zidane.
At the end of the Golden Ball award ceremony, of course, the journalists had not forgotten the reason Deng Kai was invited.
His prediction for the Champions League winner had become the highlight of the award.
Deng Kai: "This year’s Champions League quarter-finals have many traditional powerhouses, but there’s also some fresh blood. I don’t think it’s a Champions League that belongs to the big clubs alone. I believe Valencia, who surprised us last year, can still create glory this year."
"I also believe that Inter Milan’s decision to spend a huge amount, 19.5 million euros, to take Robbie Keane away from the English Premier League and then loan him to Leeds United was the right one."
"Robbie Keane is exceptional, and this year’s Leeds United is definitely a team worthy of the Champions League semi-finals. Robbie Keane has done what Inter Milan couldn’t do."
"Who do I favor? Arsenal’s recent player movements have been significant, and Wenger needs some time. Manchester United is facing too much internal competition in the Premier League, and it’s likewise difficult for them to achieve much in the Champions League."
"Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have better league conditions."
"All in all, Bayern Munich has a great chance this year!"
After Deng Kai made his prediction, Bayern’s fans were almost ecstatic.
They all inquired about who else Lisbon Athletic is missing? They’d happily send Deng Kai over right away.
If we knew that giving you a Matthaus would make you favor Bayern, then how about we send a few more?
Kahn?
Fink?
Effenberge?
Scholl?
Elber?
Do any of them catch your eye?
Don’t tell me, there actually are!
Finally, the host also mentioned Ronaldo: "We all know that Jadson, who was touted as the new Ronaldo, played for your mother team last season. Do you think they’re on the same level? Jadson’s goals seem very explosive!"
People were all interested in this, especially the upper management of Inter Milan.
They bought countless stars for the team’s performance but... they have now become a black hole for stars.
This year again, they were eliminated early from the Champions League and could only go play in the Europa League, a fact so embarrassing that being directly eliminated from the group would have been better.
Juventus: Show off your mom!
Deng Kai shook his head slightly, "Sorry, although I know Ronaldo doesn’t like me much, I still have to say that Jadson absolutely does not have the potential to be compared with Ronaldo."
"You can’t compare a go-kart to an F1, it’s unfair to both sides."
"Ronaldo has suffered serious injuries in his career, but as long as he returns, he will always be one of the best forwards on this planet."
