Football: Starting from the Ronaldinho template

Chapter 294 When the runner-up becomes the cruelest praise, perhaps there will be a reunion in a different hue!
The brightly lit Champs-Élysées in Paris, and the headquarters of France Football, became the focus of attention for football fans worldwide.

"These two are just too... you know?"

Qin Ming stood in front of the red carpet and complained to the professor in a low voice.

He only found out when he arrived that he was the only one of the top three to be present.

Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to attend the Ballon d'Or ceremony because he was traveling with Real Madrid to Japan for the Club World Cup.

Messi, you know.

Because Barcelona had just finished their La Liga match against Osasuna on December 10th, and then had to prepare for their Copa del Rey match against Real Sociedad on December 13th.

Barcelona refused to release him, citing the "critical period of the season".

But is the Premier League schedule less packed than La Liga's?
"I should have known better than to come."

Qin Ming was still a little annoyed.

But then he thought about it again. Last time he attended the Golden Globe Awards, he didn't make it to the stage as one of the top three, so this time he would have more experience.

"Perhaps they prefer the competition to the awards ceremony."

Wenger laughed.

"Tch, that's why they're not coming, it's because they didn't win an award. I can understand that."

Qin Ming curled his lips.

"Hey Kevin, long time no see. Haven't you been looking for me lately?"

Suddenly he saw De Bruyne get out of the car.

"I think about playing football all day, and then I have to take care of the kids when I get home. It's exhausting!"

De Bruyne rarely complains in front of outsiders, but Qin Ming is one of his best friends, so he let his guard down.

"Don't let this affect your performance. You'll only make excuses if you lose to me later."

Qin Ming raised an eyebrow with a cheeky grin.

"Then let's see who wins then."

De Bruyne gets competitive when he talks about matches.

Congratulations on this!

He then added.

"Hey, it's just so-so. Actually, I expected it to win the Globe Award directly."

Qin Ming waved his hand.

"That's not very interesting!"

Even De Bruyne couldn't stand Qin Ming's Versailles; his ranking this year is several places lower than last year.

no way.

He previously won the Europa League and Bundesliga titles with Wolfsburg and was also the top assist provider in Europe. However, in Manchester City's system, with midfielders like David Silva and Gundogan, his possession of the ball was inevitably dispersed.

Unlike Qin Ming, who was an absolute core player at Arsenal.

He actually felt that Qin Ming's choice of Arsenal was indeed the right step in his career.

Because no one but Wenger would give him that many tactical resources.

Qin Ming and De Bruyne walked towards the venue, while Griezmann was being interviewed next to them. The Frenchman was very good at disguising himself in front of reporters.

"Leo doesn't need to be there to prove his greatness!"

"Two runner-up finishes have helped me grow, and I will be even stronger next year!"

"I'm not familiar with Qin, so I shouldn't comment on him!"

"."

Qin Ming was about to leave when reporters caught up with him, leaving Griezmann alone.

What are your thoughts on Antoine's fourth-place ranking?

The reporter immediately stirred things up.

"Shouldn't it be? Or do you think that two major tournament champions, one a three-time champion and the other a two-time champion, should be ranked after him?"

Qin Ming didn't shy away from the topic.

He always speaks his mind, and since Griezmann is so annoying, he doesn't mind making him feel disgusted.

"Qin, let's go over there and talk. I heard you liked Real Madrid when you were a kid?"

A bald man in a suit walked over and patted Qin Ming on the shoulder familiarly.

Qin Ming turned around and his eyes widened.

Isn't that Zidane? I know him very well.

It seems like we don't have much interaction.

However, he had no reason to refuse. The two walked into the venue, and Zidane said kindly, "Young people should avoid dealing with the media; there are no good people among them."

He knew that it was a good thing for young people to show their talents.

However, in the increasingly commercialized world of football, the media often distorts the truth in order to create sensational news.

Public opinion has a greater impact on players than before.

Zidane learned this the hard way. In the 2006 World Cup final, he was provoked by Materazzi's words and headbutted him.

The result was one of the most controversial moments in football history.

He ended his career in the most unexpected way, narrowly missing out on his second World Cup trophy.

Public opinion is also fiercely attacking him.

"Zidane's madness destroyed France!"

"Violence is unacceptable!"

"."

Although, according to a poll by L'Équipe, 52% of French people understand his actions and consider his retaliation to be "a man's response."

The consequences were already irreversible.

"Thank you."

Qin Ming accepted Zidane's offer, "Are you here today to accept the award on behalf of Cristiano?"

"No, the club president is here. Look, he's right there."

Zidane gestured for Qin Ming to look to his left.

Florentino also saw the two of them and gracefully raised his glass.

"You don't want to take me away from Arsenal, do you?"

Qin Ming sensed something was amiss.

"What are you saying? We are all excellent players. I was just admiring you."

Zidane lies without thinking.

The main reason is that Bale injured his ankle in the match a few days ago and is expected to be out for 3 months.

His soleus muscle also frequently malfunctions.

After all, that kind of high-explosive kicking style is too damaging to the body.

Therefore, Florentino Pérez wanted to sign a winger to counter Ronaldo's influence.

The two weren't exactly at odds.

Rather, it is a complex power struggle and strategic disagreement.

For example, Cristiano Ronaldo was signed by Florentino's predecessor Calderón, so no matter how well he performs, people won't remember his good deeds.

Therefore, he spent a huge sum of money to sign Bale.

Unfortunately, Bale himself was disappointing. His skill was undeniable, but he lacked ambition and simply enjoyed playing golf.

They also get injured frequently.

In addition, this year Ronaldo demanded a raise to match Messi's 2500 million, and there were even transfer rumors that forced him to resign.

In addition, Florentino's club management logic is based on the model of "club brand > individual star player".

That's why she took a liking to Qin Ming.

"hehe."

Qin Ming didn't believe it at all, but he wasn't disgusted either; it was all standard practice in the industry.

How can you really prohibit clubs from contacting players?

"Let's add each other's contact information first, and we can chat again when we have a chance."

Zidane was still smiling.

To be honest, even without the club's involvement, he would still be willing to spend more time with Qin Ming.

Because there are very few players with natural talent in football.

Qin Ming reminded him of Ronaldinho at his peak. At that time, the first Galácticos era was at its zenith, but Ronaldinho, with his extraordinary personal ability and dominant performance, not only led Barcelona to a revival but also directly suppressed Florentino Pérez's superstar plan.

He, Figo, Beckham, and others paled in comparison to Ronaldinho.

Artistic football can defeat a collection of superstars.

This is a lesson Zidane learned, and he also understood that football is not 1+1=2; an unbalanced lineup will eventually collapse.

He also wanted to know what it was like to have such a player in the squad.

After exchanging contact information with Zidane, Qin Ming sat in the front row of the venue, with empty seats on both sides.

The awards ceremony began quickly. The Ballon d'Or, as presented by France Football, doesn't have as many steps as FIFA's awards; its main focus is on simplicity and speed.

"The suspense tonight may not be who wins, but whether the winner will be present."

French legend David Ginola, the host of the day, playfully turned the question to Qin Ming in the audience, "Qin, as the only one of the Top 3 present, is there anything you'd like to say?"

"Okay, please give me more screen time, since there's no one else who can."

Qin Ming also cracked a humorous joke.

Griezmann's knuckles turned white from clenching his fists. What did he mean by "no one else could give it to him"?
Am I not human?
Are the other players in the top 25 of the Ballon d'Or rankings not?
However, the others didn't pay much attention, thinking Qin Ming was joking, but he took it seriously.

"Haha, then please turn the camera on Qin, our talented young player!"

David Ginola also burst out laughing.

Following the opening ceremony, Pascal Ferré, editor-in-chief of France Football, said: "The Ballon d'Or returns to its pure form today, with 173 journalists voting, free from any other distractions!"

The big screen then began playing highlights of the top 25 players.

Qin Ming waited idly until 8:45 p.m., when the on-site voting began.

The reporters all operated their equipment.

"Alright, the results of the live vote are in. Let's see who the third place is."

David Ginola opened the envelope, "Leo Messi, 200 points!"

The screen started playing a highlight reel of Messi's goals of the year, and then the production team tried to connect with Messi live, but embarrassingly, the call didn't go through.

"It seems Leo is focused on training."

David Gino laughed it off.

Qin Ming chuckled a few times with his head down, only to see Buffon covering his mouth as if he was trying to suppress a laugh.

"France Football doesn't have a high status."

Buffon winked at Qin Ming.

"Maybe he's really busy," Qin Ming shrugged.

After Barcelona vice president Cardona accepted the trophy on his behalf, David Gino continued to open the envelope and said, "Now, please welcome our 20-year-old Silver Ball winner to the field."

Qin Ming buttoned up his suit jacket and, under the spotlight, walked step by step toward the podium.

Mr. Silver Ball.

In people's eyes, he is the most tragic figure in football, because his performance is often strong enough, but he misses out on the highest honor.

But they saw a spirited and ambitious outlook in Qin Ming.

For example, after winning the Ballon d'Or, Henry told reporters: "I would rather trade all my individual awards for that Champions League title."

Zidane's quote also applies here.

"Second place means you're the biggest loser in the world!"

However, people are not thinking about those tragic characters at this moment.

It's Kaka.

He was ninth in the 2006 Ballon d'Or and won the Ballon d'Or in 2007.

Under the countless prisms of light refracted by the crystal chandelier.

Qin Ming's eyes seemed to be filled with starlight.

He accepted the trophy with a smile, wearing a custom Armani suit.

He certainly felt frustrated, but he had more expectations for the future, which allowed him to accept fate with elegance and composure.

"Kaka in 2007 embodied the last artistic soul of football in the era before Messi and Ronaldo!"

What will Qin Ming be like in 2017?

"Perhaps it's not a regret, but a foreshadowing, allowing the most perfect climb to undergo the most elegant waiting!"

"I believe this is a great start!"

He Wei, in the CCTV broadcasting room, was spouting off his lines again.

The awards ceremony.

To the background music of Vivaldi's "Winter," Qin Ming smiled a spring-like smile at the audience.

"Qin, last year you could only sit in the audience, but this year you've won the Silver Globe Award. Say something in your acceptance speech."

David Gino extended an invitation.

Qin Ming first looked down and saw his own handsome face reflected in the surface of the silver ball trophy.

The coaches' area offstage.

Wenger's eyes were also filled with reminiscence; he recalled Henry's Silver Ball award in 2003.

That day, when the name of the Golden Globe winner was announced.

Henry behaved like a true aristocrat, a sight only those who knew him could understand; the taut curve of his jawline was even sharper than when he was on the highbury dagger.

"People only remember the champion, but the silver ball taught me that the most painful thing is never the defeat, but the near miss."

This is what Henry said to him that night.

A few days ago, France Football relaunched the Ballon d'Or historical rating system. Based on the year's performance, Henry's expected goals value set a new record for the highest in Premier League history, and the data model score in 2003 actually exceeded that of Nedved.

He received a call from Henry.

"I could have."

Henry still couldn't let go, and even indulged in a bit of his usual artsy side.

However, Wenger drank a lot of alcohol while the phone was busy.

Today, in the Hall of Fame at the Emirates Stadium, next to the trophy from the 2003-04 unbeaten season, there is a blank display case.

If a fan asks, the tour guide will say: This is reserved for a golden ball that doesn't exist.

Wenger's vision seemed a little blurry until it refocused.

He watched as the silver trophy spun in Qin Ming's hands, its cold light illuminating his sharply defined face.

But what he saw was not regret, but a yearning for even greater heights.

"Some people say that getting second place is the biggest regret, but I want to say..."

Qin Ming looked up, his eyes sparkling like stars. "It was this regret that taught me how to accept imperfection and turn it into motivation to keep moving forward."

"Finally, I would like to dedicate this trophy to all those who believe in beautiful football."

"By the way, maybe at this time next year, we will meet again in a different color."

Qin Ming smiled and bowed slightly.

Henry, sitting in the audience, pursed his lips. As the person involved, he understood Wenger's feelings at the time better than Wenger did.

At that time, the Ballon d'Or selection deadline was in August. Arsenal's unbeaten run was not yet over, but the French team's crushing defeat in the Confederations Cup was etched into the judges' memories first.

Later people said he lost to time.

"I hope your wait will have a good ending."

Henry offered his blessings amidst applause.

"Look how stingy you are! I also have a Silver Globe Award, which I won ten years ago!"

Buffon came over and snatched the trophy.

The Ballon d'Or in 2006 went to Cannavaro, the Silver Ball went to him, and coincidentally, the Bronze Ball went to Henry.

Moreover, the fact that he was able to win the second-highest honor as a goalkeeper speaks volumes about its significance.

"Will you have any regrets back then?"

Qin Ming asked curiously.

Upon hearing this, Buffon stroked the trophy with slightly more force, as if measuring just how wide the regret was.

"Why can't you speak properly, child?"

Buffon retorted irritably.

His regrets were much greater than Qin Ming's. At that time, Cannavaro scored 173 points, while he scored 124.

It looks very big.

But what if he doesn't stay at Juventus and instead accepts offers from Real Madrid or Manchester United?

Can media exposure reverse the 49-point gap?

and also.

France Football later admitted that there was a visual bias in the ratings of goalkeepers, which directly led to the reform of the rating criteria after 2010.

"It's alright, you're still young, a rising star."

Qin Ming's attempt to comfort Buffon was worse than no comfort at all, making Buffon roll his eyes.

"Even if those two retire, how will I win if you're around?"

Buffon shoved the trophy back into Qin Ming's arms and went to the side to grieve in silence.

While Griezmann appeared to be watching Ronaldo's acceptance speech video, he was actually glancing at the trophy with jealousy and anger, feeling that it should have been his.

After Cristiano Ronaldo finished speaking in Japan.

Qin Ming was invited to the stage again. Cardona stood to his left and Florentino to his right.

Two old men and one young man.

This is truly the strangest scene in the history of the Golden Globes.

(End of this chapter)