Chapter 766: Chapter 765: My Era Has Arrived
They never expected they could realize their dream and lift the trophy on their final journey, becoming the Kings of Europe.
No one can understand that feeling.
At this historical moment, major media outlets reported the blockbuster news.
Kicker: "Unbeaten streak continues! Crowned Champions of Europe! Portugal trounces France 6-3 to win the European Cup!"
Bild: "For the first time in history, they lift the Delaunay Trophy! Under the leadership of Deng Kai, Figo, and Cristiano, Portugal becomes the Kings of Europe!"
Record Report: "Conquering Europe! Deng Kai, Cristiano, Viana, Feng Te, Pepe, and others complete the European Grand Slam of Honours!"
Sky Sports: "Kings of the Premier League! Kings of Europe! England didn’t lose to Portugal because we were too weak, but because they were too strong! Deng Kai is too strong!"
BBC: "Deng Kai sets a personal record! Every European Championship match he has played in, he completed a hat-trick! Number one in efficiency in history!"
AS Newspaper: "The official handover of the world’s number one midfielder! Deng Kai completely outplayed Zidane in a head-to-head battle!"
Milan Sport Newspaper: "World’s number one! Deng Kai, lifting the European Cup, has locked down the Golden Ball and FIFA World Player of the Year six months in advance!"
France Football: "Before I ascend to the throne, you are free to compete, because once I ascend, you will never have the chance again... Deng Kai!"
...
Media at the scene interviewed players from both sides.
Ribery was noticeably disappointed: "Although I considered the possibility before the match, it is still very difficult for me to accept all of this when the team actually lost."
"I am not surprised by Deng Kai’s performance because that is the level he’s supposed to be at. If all of our players were twenty-five, maybe we could have beaten Portugal, but that’s impossible."
Henry was even more distressed: "I clearly knew I was at the peak of my career, but nothing is more distressing than facing Deng Kai at this time."
"He has taken many championships and honors that belonged to me, and it feels terrible."
"League, cup, national team, everywhere, every competition, it’s always the same, it makes me sincerely not want to play football in the same environment as Deng Kai."
"I feel like he has become my shadow."
As for Zidane, who was once the most shining player of the match but now seems the most desolate, he was relatively calm during the interview.
Faced with many interviewers, he simply said, "I wanted to announce this news while lifting the trophy, but unfortunately, not all stories end with a perfect full stop."
"I announce that, starting today, I shall retire from the French national team."
The journalists on the scene did not react at first.
By the time they did, Zidane had already left the interview area.
In an instant, the media on-site was abuzz.
The commotion even attracted the attention of everyone on the pitch.
Many of the Portuguese players turned their heads to ask what had happened.
Then they heard the unbelievable answer:
"Zidane has retired from the national team!"
When a player retires from the national team, it means they are not far from true retirement.
A couple of years at most.
Or immediately!
Zidane... How many more years will he play?
Feng Te, dumbfounded, turned to Deng Kai and said, "Captain Deng, did you make Zidane retire?"
Deng Kai shook his head: "No one can make Zidane retire, he just felt a bit tired."
More than ten minutes later, the award podium was set up.
Some individual awards started to be presented.
The Best Young Player award at the European Cup went to Ribery of the French team.
His performance in this European Cup was extraordinarily brilliant.
In terms of contribution to the team, he, Zidane, and Henry were the best of the French team.
In terms of performance on the pitch, he was even stronger than Henry.
In his acceptance speech, Ribery said, "I’m lucky to be able to play with two of the world’s best midfielders. Captain Deng almost completely redeemed and reshaped me, and I was reborn at Manchester City."
"Zidane is the pride of all French people, and it is my lifetime honor to receive his teachings in the national team."
"I hope that I can go further with the French team in the future. Of course, if possible, I hope never to face Captain Deng again as an opponent."
The Best Goalkeeper Award of this European Championship was claimed by Czech.
A day earlier, in the battle for third place in the European Championship, the Czech Republic shut out England, winning third place with a score of 1-0.
Czech, with his high catches and blocks, also became the Man of the Match.
England’s magic "Little Fatty" Rooney failed to break through Czech’s ten fingers.
Czech team’s Baros scored another goal, accumulating five goals in this tournament and becoming the European Championship’s Silver Boot.
England’s young star Rooney and the Netherlands’ striker Van Nistelrooy became the Bronze Boot winners of the tournament.
And the Golden Boot winners of this European Championship are Cristiano Ronaldo and Deng Kai!
Both scored six goals and together stepped onto the podium to lift the Golden Boot trophy.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s acceptance speech was rather concise, "I’m very happy to bring victories and championships to the team with my goals. Whether it’s at the club level or the national team, that is my only goal."
"I hope I can score more goals to help the team win in the future!"
"I am Cristiano Ronaldo! I will become the best striker in the world!"
Afterward, Deng Kai, once again Deng Kai, lifted both the Assists Leader trophy and the Best Player of the European Championship trophy.
With six goals and nine assists in this tournament, he posted some very impressive personal data.
Three matches with assist hat-tricks, one match with a goal hat-trick, averaging 3.75 goals created per game, unprecedented!
Finally, Deng Kai delivered his own acceptance speech, "Firstly, please give a round of applause to the players of Portugal’s golden generation."
"Even though some of them have retired, I saw them in the stands."
"They are some of the greatest contributors to Portuguese football. They sparked the wave of Portuguese football and nourished us, the successors."
"Standing on the shoulders of giants, the Delaunay Trophy we lift should be engraved with their names!"
Applause roared throughout the venue.
The camera captured many retired players from Portugal’s golden generation.
Joao Pinto, Paolo Bento, Paolo Saso, Fernando Couto, Bolinho Santos, Secretário, Dimas, Joao Costa, Conceicao... and more!
These players teared up with emotion, as they did not expect the Portuguese fans still remembered them.
"Additionally, I must also thank the French team, thank Zidane." Deng Kai looked towards the French players, "They are among the strongest teams in the world."
"If we were to do it again, we would have no assurance of beating them."
"They made this Delaunay Trophy something different, they too deserve the world’s respect and remembrance."
"I believe that at the World Cup in two years, the French team will still shine. They will still be Portugal’s toughest opponents!"
Applause ensued.
Deng Kai led the applause for the French team.
The French players felt somewhat better.
After all, their opponent respected them.
The most uncomfortable feeling is when your opponent wins and mocks you to your face.
That’s truly infuriating.
"Finally..." Deng Kai raised his Best Player trophy, "Attention all football fans, players, clubs around the world, the era of Portugal has arrived!"
The venue fell silent.
"Attention, my era..."
"Is!"
"Here!"
"Now!"
"Siu!"
The next moment, Estádio Alvalade’s decibel level burst through 135.
The entire stadium chanted in unison:
"Siuuuuuu!"
