The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 379 France's Golden Ball is in the bag!

Time flies.

10 PM on October 5th.

The seventh round of the Premier League.

Liverpool host Crystal Palace!

At this moment, Anfield was shrouded in a low, leaden sky, with not a single ray of sunlight piercing through the clouds.

Only fine drizzle drifted like mist, and the wind, carrying the damp chill of the Mersey River, seeped into the fans' collars, causing them to instinctively pull their coats tighter.

But the cold and gloomy weather did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm in the arena.

A continuous roar erupted from the KOP stands.

The chorus of tens of thousands of people singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" instantly drowned out the wind; the lack of a conductor resulted in an astonishingly synchronized performance.

This is a melody etched into my blood.

The match started promptly at 2:00.

Crystal Palace players quickly retreated deep into their own half.

Liverpool fans weren't worried about this opponent.

after all,

As a newly promoted team, Crystal Palace lacks both experience and strength to compete with other teams in the new season. They can only struggle in the relegation zone and hope to retain their Premier League qualification for next season.

Crystal Palace, plagued by injuries, returned to the Premier League last season after defeating Watford in extra time in the play-offs, a feat they had not achieved since being relegated in 2005.

Unfortunately, the team received bad news at the start of the new season: their top scorer, Murray, is unlikely to return to the field for a short period due to a serious knee injury.

Simultaneously,

The return of young striker Wilfried Zaha to Manchester United after his loan spell has left Crystal Palace's attacking options in a predicament.

The arrival of French winger Grandin was initially thought to be a chance to fill the void left by Zaha's departure.

However, he is still not as effective as Zaha.

Crystal Palace, returning to the Premier League after many years, has broken previous transfer records this summer in terms of spending. However, co-chairman Steve Barlis revealed that the task is not yet complete and further investment may continue in the winter transfer window.

Judging from the current situation, Crystal Palace will need to make significant investments to have any hope of avoiding relegation.

Currently, there are six rounds of Premier League matches and one round of EFL Cup matches.

Crystal Palace has one win and six losses.

Their only win came against Sunderland, who hadn't won a single game this season.

This is an "easy target".

however,
After facing relegation-threatened teams for the second consecutive round, Liverpool faced increasing pressure in this match following their draw in the last game.

Because fans felt Liverpool's familiar style from the last game: they falter against weaker teams.

But what reassured them this time was that Gaio returned to the starting lineup.

Under the leaden sky, the rain was still falling in a fine drizzle, but the cheers at Anfield had barely begun when they erupted!
After the opening,

Liverpool's attack surged towards Crystal Palace's half like a tidal wave.

Even when Crystal Palace players crowded around the edge of the penalty area and formed a tight defensive wall, Liverpool's passing pace was so fast that they simply couldn't close in time.

In the 12th minute, Gaio received the ball on the right wing. Facing two defenders closing in, he flicked his ankle to create space and then delivered a low diagonal pass that precisely cut through the gap in Crystal Palace's defense. Suarez then ran onto the ball and slotted it into the far corner!
The moment the ball went in, the roar at Anfield literally lifted the roof off!

Some fans excitedly tossed their scarves into the air.

It has to be Gaio!
Only Gaio poses a threat!
Liverpool fans were immediately relieved when they saw the goal.

Just eight minutes later, Gaio stepped forward again.

Gerrard intercepted the ball in midfield and passed it to Gaião, who dribbled inside. Crystal Palace defenders tried to tackle him, but Gaião easily evaded them with a change of direction.

As he approached the edge of the penalty area, he didn't hesitate and unleashed a powerful shot!
The football, spinning, pierced through the rain, grazed the inside of the right post, and nestled into the net!

2-0!

The moment the name "Gaio" was announced over the loudspeaker, the fans in the Kop stand stood up and cheered.

Gaio ran to the corner flag and hugged his teammates who rushed over to celebrate. Everyone's smiles were especially radiant.

For the remainder of the first half, Crystal Palace attempted to mount a counter-attack, but their lack of attacking options became glaringly obvious.

Without Murray's pivot and Zaha's breakthroughs, their attack was intercepted by Liverpool's defenders just past the halfway line.

Liverpool fans in the stands started singing along to the drumbeats, and occasionally someone would whistle at Crystal Palace players' mistakes.

When the halftime whistle blew.

Crystal Palace players and coaches alike were frowning.

Meanwhile, fans in the Anfield stands kept humming songs, and many had already started discussing how many more goals they could score in the second half.

The second half has just begun.

Liverpool's attack showed no signs of abating.

In the 53rd minute, Gaião received a pass from Henderson in midfield. Without hesitation, he played a through ball that broke through Crystal Palace's defense, and Suárez made a run into the box before calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.

3-0!

After scoring, Suarez ran over to give Gaio a high-five and ruffled his hair. He had scored twice!
Crystal Palace was already in a state of disarray.

The players' running became slower and slower, and they made frequent mistakes in defense. Even their goalkeeper couldn't help but yell at his teammates, but he couldn't stop Liverpool's attacking wave.

In the 68th minute, Gaio once again became the starting point of an attack.

After receiving the ball, he quickly launched a counterattack, first passing the ball to Gerrard who was making a forward run, and then quickly moving forward himself to draw the defensive attention.

Gerrard quickly moved the ball to the weak side.

Sturridge cuts inside and scores!

4-0!

This time, Anfield erupted in cheers. Fans in the Kop stand held hands and jumped around, and the scarf wall undulated like waves. Even the few Crystal Palace fans in the away stand could only shake their heads helplessly.

Liverpool fans felt incredibly ecstatic!
The "revenge battle" against the relegation-threatened team was incredibly exciting!

For the remainder of the game, Rodgers brought on substitutes one after another. When Gaio was substituted, the entire stadium stood up and applauded him.

When the final whistle blows.

The score is now set.

This 4-0 victory not only washed away the gloom of the previous round's draw, but also showed everyone that when Gaio starts and Liverpool find their attacking rhythm, they are still the team that can make Anfield boil!

The Liverpool Echo reported it immediately.

The 4-0 victory at Anfield was less a Liverpool win against Crystal Palace and more a complete breaking of the Reds' curse of faltering against weaker opponents.

The previous draw against Sunderland exposed the chaos in the system without Gaião, with disordered passing and movement in the attacking third, leaving the opponent's dense defense unsolvable.

But when Gaio was in the starting lineup, everything changed.

He is both the initiator of attacks, able to support Gerrard's orchestrations and connect the forwards with precise through balls, and a key player in breaking down defenses, capable of cutting inside to tear apart a solid defensive formation and creating direct threats with passes or shots. For Liverpool, Gaião's significance goes far beyond his contributions of "goals and assists".

His presence provided a crucial anchor for the Red Army's offensive.

Other media outlets also followed suit.

The comments were mostly praise for Gaião and discussions about his significance to Liverpool.

For example, he can amplify the team's strengths and make up for the team's weaknesses.

Gaião amplified Gerrard's midfield orchestration abilities, freeing the veteran captain from having to manage both attack and defense.

Gaião made up for Liverpool's weakness in breaking down a dense defense, using precise passing and dribbling to tear apart the opponent's defensive line.

After the game, Rodgers said, "Gaio gives us the confidence to compete for the championship. With him, we can win the games we should win and find ways to break through in difficult situations."

Fans were also constantly discussing this exhilarating match.

Liverpool fans will be very happy for at least the next two weeks.

Because after this match comes the international break.

The standings will remain unchanged during this international match day.

Liverpool won big last night.

Arsenal didn't win!
Arsenal drew 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

Thus,
Arsenal have five wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling 16 points.

Liverpool have five wins and two draws, with 17 points.

Liverpool have temporarily overtaken Arsenal to take the top spot, now by one point.

but,

Gaio and other national team members from various countries are not thinking about being at the top of the standings for the time being.

Early the next morning.

Gaio then flew to Paris, Clairefontaine.

Just as Gaio and Kanté arrived, Giroud rushed over, waving a bottle of mineral water, shouting, "Yang! I finally caught you!"

Giroud laughed and said, "Last night after the game, when I checked my phone, all I saw was news about your 4-0 victory! I quickly found the highlights to watch, and your cut inside and push into the corner, and your through ball to Suarez, were just too ruthless! It's a pity we didn't win."

Gaio smiled and raised an eyebrow: "You got a point away from home, at least you didn't lose, that's good. We did the same thing when we played Sunderland before."

“That’s true, but one point isn’t enough!” Giroud sighed. “Look, we Arsenal were ahead of you before, but after drawing with West Brom last night, you’ve turned the tables and are now ahead of us by one point.”

Varane, who had just arrived, came over and patted Gaio on the shoulder, greeting everyone first.

Then he said, "I've been watching the recent Premier League news, Yang, you're really hot! Seriously, your role in Liverpool is so crucial right now. Last round you didn't start and we still drew with Sunderland, and this round you came on and crushed the relegation-threatened team. I've seen the English media say you're the core of Liverpool."

Giroud nodded in agreement, his tone full of approval: "That's right! If we Arsenal had a striker like you, we might have won last night and wouldn't have been overtaken in points by you."

Gaio laughed, not having a chance to reply.

Varane said, "Still thinking about the standings? If you had Gaio, you might as well just win the championship! Haha!"

Giroud also laughed loudly.

Even the usually taciturn Kanté grinned broadly.

Varane suddenly changed the subject, jokingly saying, "Why don't you quit Liverpool and come to Real Madrid! You could crush Barcelona in the next derby, and the La Liga title would be yours for the taking! Wouldn't that be great!"

Gaio shook his head helplessly and pointed at Varane: "Putting aside my contract with Liverpool, I haven't even helped Liverpool win a championship yet, how can I just leave like that? Besides, Real Madrid has so many talented forwards, I might not even get a place there."

“That’s called being modest!” Varane retorted. “With your ability, you’d definitely be a starter at Real Madrid! I’ve talked to Ancelotti, and he likes creative attacking players, which you fit the bill perfectly. Besides, you’re the captain of our French national team. If you go to Real Madrid, our national team’s attacking tactics can be refined more.”

Giroud chimed in from the sidelines: "Rafael, your poaching is too obvious! Young is the core of Liverpool now, how can you just swindle him away? But seriously, Young, after you won the game last night, Liverpool's title challenge is even stronger."

Talking and talking.

Ribery also rushed over.

Upon seeing the group, they all came over to greet them with smiles.

He was particularly close to Gaio, and the first thing he did was to praise Gaio highly, saying that he had dominated the Premier League.

Giroud's words directly revealed Ribery's thoughts.

"Haha, Frank, your words are so cheesy. You just want Yang to vote for you, right? Don't worry, he'll definitely vote for you!"

Gaio laughed and said, "Of course, I think this year's Golden Globe winner is you, Frank."

Gaio genuinely believes this.

As for the final outcome, that's none of his business.

With no major international tournaments this year, the world of football undoubtedly belongs to Bayern Munich, led by Heynckes and Ribery.

Ribery led Bayern Munich to victory wherever his sword pointed.

With titles including the Champions League, German Cup, Bundesliga, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup, their five-time champion record is unparalleled among German teams throughout history.

His personal statistics reached 23 goals and 23 assists.

Meanwhile, his main rival, Messi, who won four consecutive titles, was plagued by injuries and missed more than two months of matches, missing 12 games.

Barcelona is also in turmoil due to manager Vilanova's cancer diagnosis.

Messi has only played 47 games, and his team honors are only the La Liga title and the Spanish Super Cup.

His individual statistics are 45 goals and 18 assists.

As for Cristiano Ronaldo, his individual statistics are impressive, with 69 goals and 15 assists, but he has no team honors, with no notable achievements for either club or national team.

Following this predictable trajectory, the Ballon d'Or will undoubtedly go to Ribery.

After all, while Messi and Ronaldo have scored a lot of goals, their team honors are rather lackluster.

Is it any wonder that the Ballon d'Or wasn't awarded to Ribery?
Therefore, Gaio was quite certain that he would vote for Ribery.

The head coaches and captains of each national team have voting rights.

There was also a shady tactic involved.

In the past two years, Cristiano Ronaldo gave up his captaincy to his teammates in his bid for the Ballon d'Or, and then asked his teammates to vote for him, but he failed to win.

Ribery laughed heartily upon hearing this, though his scar made him look somewhat terrifying.

He said, "Haha, well, it's not that certain yet, the results aren't out in the news."

but,

He said that, but deep down he was already dreaming about his first Golden Globe Award.

Giroud added, "With your stats, how could anyone possibly surpass you? It's definitely yours!"

Varane exclaimed, "French football is really getting better! Frank won the Ballon d'Or, and with Yang's performance, he'll definitely be on the Ballon d'Or shortlist. Some media outlets are even saying Yang can be in the top ten. His future is limitless!"

Gaio listened to their conversation but didn't know what to say.

after all,

Who knew the vote could be postponed?
(End of this chapter)