Chapter 523: Chapter 522 Century Group Photo
"Real Madrid’s signings shouldn’t be limited to the midfield and forward lines, Real Madrid also needs to bring in strong defensive specialists."
"I’ve addressed this issue with Florentino, but it seems to have not been taken seriously, and now we’ve finally tasted the bitter fruit."
"We have excellent successors, Pavon is certainly good, but we also need players of the caliber of Maldini, Ferdinand, Stam, Nesta, Campbell, and Thuram!"
Hierro vented his true feelings at the wrong time, in the wrong place.
This statement was bound to cause upheaval.
He might have wanted to say more, but the reporters suddenly surged forward.
Because Deng Kai had arrived.
The true protagonist had made his entrance.
Hierro turned away, disappointed.
Reporter: "Deng Kai, why did you decide to play goalkeeper? Did you know in advance that Zidane would take a Panenka penalty?"
Deng Kai: "No one can predict the future, let alone Zidane’s future. I simply took on the responsibility that I should."
"If we had lost the game, then I would have been the only one to blame. I couldn’t watch any of my teammates take on that criticism, so I had to step up and save that penalty."
Reporter: "Do you realize how smooth your last counter-attack was? You guys..."
Deng Kai cut in: "Of course! Eleven one-touch passes, perfect team coordination, that’s why we’ve come this far. There are too many talented players in this team when you look back at this lineup, you will be amazed time and again by this fact."
"But what made us reach the summit of Europe was not just our talent and gifts, but also our hard training, tough integration, mutual compromises, and accomplishments!"
Reporter: "Are you suggesting that Real Madrid’s coordination is lacking?"
Deng Kai’s eyes flickered with sharpness as he looked at the retreating figure of Hierro: "At least defensively, Real Madrid is found wanting. Their approach of stacking up forward stars only reminds one of Inter Milan."
"So I think Hierro is absolutely right, Real Madrid should focus on strengthening the backline!"
On the sidelines, Maxa was also being interviewed.
Maxa: "Of course! Sometimes players have better insights into the game than coaches, so when Kai wanted to go in goal, Trigella and I supported him!"
"We trusted Kai, and he then repaid that trust with the Champions League trophy, making it the most wonderful story in the world."
"In a clash at this level, there’s not much a coach can do, players are the key, players are everything."
"When we let go of everything, that’s when we win everything. That’s my football philosophy!"
Finally, after fifteen minutes, the awards stage was set up.
The UEFA officials, along with the presidents of both Sporting Lisbon and Real Madrid, appeared on stage.
Florentino’s face was somewhat gloomy.
This Champions League trophy was meant to be his gift to Real Madrid for their centennial celebration.
But in the end...
The Real Madrid players were the first to enter, receiving their Champions League runner-up medals.
But not a single player could smile.
After their hasty departure, the awards ceremony officially began.
The first award to be presented was for Best Young Player of the Champions League.
Two years ago, Casillas had been honored with this award.
And this year, Cristiano Ronaldo’s name echoed through Hampton Park Stadium!
In his debut Champions League season, he had dazzled, especially with a hat-trick against Manchester United at Old Trafford Stadium that made the Red Devils surrender, a performance that was nothing short of legendary!
Then came the award for Champions League Top Assist Provider.
Amidst the cheering crowd, Deng Kai stepped onto the stage.
Cristiano gave Deng Kai a hug and then quickly left the stage.
After all, Cristiano only had two assists, so it didn’t seem quite appropriate for him to be there in such a situation.
And Deng Kai had... ten assists!
This was the first time in nearly a decade that a player had double digits in assists in the Champions League!
Moreover, the second and third places on the assist leaderboard were also players from Sporting Lisbon.
Kaka with seven goals, seven assists, and Ronaldinho with three goals, six assists!
They say Real Madrid’s midfield and forward line is the most luxurious in the world.
But when it comes to real attacking data, Sporting Lisbon swept the Champions League this year!
And that’s not just for assist data.
For goal data too, they still look down on everyone!
After receiving the trophy for Top Assists, Deng Kai didn’t have the chance to leave the stage.
Because the subsequent Golden Boot award was his as well!
Thirteen goals and ten assists!
Deng Kai played out some crazy stats this season!
Both Ronaldinho and Kaka’s assists, a big part were for him!
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo was also moving towards the center from the edge of the stage.
Because Cristiano’s goal tally was also thirteen!
"Oh! Congratulations to Deng Kai! Congratulations to Cristiano! Truly the twin stars of Sporting Lisbon!"
"This is the second time Deng Kai and Cristiano have lifted the top scorer’s trophy together!"
"They have replicated last season’s performance in the Europa League, where both were the top scorers too!"
Huang Jianxiang delivered with passion, "Of course, looking at the data, Cristiano is more like an ultimate assassin!"
"An extreme goal-scorer!"
"When it comes to scoring goals, he always has the strongest competitiveness."
"And Deng Kai... he is a god!"
"Goals, assists, organization, penalties, there’s nothing he can’t do!"
He Wei gave Huang Jianxiang a look.
Penalties?
Is he that good?
In the end, after Cristiano descended from the stage for the second time, Deng Kai was still standing on the podium.
Because this time, he received the award for the Champions League’s Best Player!
It was undisputed!
Even if it were not for the rule that Best Player and Best Newcomer awards cannot overlap, the Best Newcomer would also have been Deng Kai’s.
The hat-trick in the Champions League final was an unprecedented spectacle!
Deng Kai did something no football superstar ever did.
He could have become the Champions League’s Best Player just by playing this one match!
Finally, under the enthusiastic applause of the entire stadium, the rest of Sporting Lisbon’s players gradually ascended the platform, and together they received the Champions League medals.
Deng Kai and Cristiano stood to the left and right, with players like Kaka, Ronaldinho, Matthaus, Drogba, Ibrahimovic, Guardiola, Wu Xudong, and others on either side.
"One!"
"Two!"
"Three!"
"We are the champions!!!"
A classic snapshot of the century appeared, and without a doubt, among this list, there would be at least five Golden Ball winners!
In the 2001-2002 season, a whirlwind known as the "Sporting Lisbon Miracle" swept across Europe, becoming the first true treble winners of the 21st century!
After the match, the Champions League officials released this year’s best lineup.
Coach: Trigella and Maxa
Forwards: Cristiano (Sporting Lisbon), Van Nistelrooy (Manchester United), Quaresma (Barcelona)
Midfield: Ronaldinho (Sporting Lisbon), Deng Kai (Sporting Lisbon), Zidane (Real Madrid), Beckham (Manchester United)
Defenders: Carlos (Real Madrid), Barzagli (Sporting Lisbon), Lizarazu (Bayern)
Goalkeeper: Canizares (Valencia)
