Football: Starting from the Ronaldinho template

Chapter 366 Laureus World Sports Awards Ceremony

The 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards were held in Monaco.

A constellation of stars graced the night.

Among the many sports in the world, only football, tennis, and Formula 1 are ranked at the top, while basketball is probably slightly inferior.

Basketball is more popular in the United States, but it's relatively less popular in Europe or the world.

Qin Ming met many people before the award ceremony.

Besides Zhang Jike, there's also Totti. The two know each other; they even played against each other back in Wolfsburg.

"Qin, you may be about to make history."

Totti didn't tell any lame jokes tonight; his tone wasn't one of envy, but rather one full of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep emotion/reflection).

He is a representative player who has been a player for one city for many years.

He achieved good results while in Rome, and many top clubs offered him contracts, such as Real Madrid and Manchester United.

But he still chose to stay in the city where he was born.

Nesta had a similar experience to him, and the two were even called the Princes of Rome. However, at that time, Lazio was in financial difficulty and had to sell their mainstay.

Now, watching the younger generation surpass the older, Qin Ming shines brightly in the entire sports world.

Even he couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if he left Rome.

What changes will occur in the trajectory of one's life?
"It's only a possibility."

Qin Ming smiled modestly.

Looking back at the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremonies that have already been held, it's not hard to see that tennis is always the most favored sport.

Of the nineteen best male athletes, tennis accounts for nine, nearly half.

Federer has five, Djokovic three, and Nadal one, the most of any sport.

Second place goes to track and field, with Bolt winning four of them.

Third place goes to F1, with Schumacher and Vettel winning a combined three times.

"It's not good for young people to be too modest."

Totti patted Qin Ming on the shoulder. "When I was young, I was very outspoken. I even published a book called 'A Collection of Jokes.' Have you read it?"

Upon hearing Totti say that, Qin Ming recalled that he seemed to have seen it before.

Among them, the one that impressed him the most was
As more and more rumors circulated, it became clear that Totti was uneducated, illiterate, and knew nothing but football.

Totti's girlfriend could no longer tolerate this and decided to let Totti know the seriousness of the matter.

One day, Totti's girlfriend said, "Honey, this is serious. There are so many jokes about you circulating outside. Can't you let people see what you're capable of so they know you're not the illiterate they say you are? For example, you could start reading a book now. I don't know what book to recommend. Have you read Shakespeare?"

"Of course I've read it, but honey, I just can't remember who wrote Shakespeare."

Totti said.

Qin Ming was struggling to suppress his laughter, but Totti told him to laugh whenever he wanted, saying that young people don't always need to hide their emotions, and even taught him elbowing techniques.

It's worth noting that the Prince of Rome had a very fiery temper when he was young.

That is, in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, they were humiliated by the South Korean team.

Totti was chattering away nearby.

Qin Ming acted as a listener, and then he ran into Cristiano Ronaldo, who nodded very coolly, which was considered a greeting to the two of them.

"He's always the same."

Totti shrugged.

After saying goodbye to Totti, Qin Ming went to one side of the venue, where all the athletes were Chinese.

Zhang Jike, Deng Yaping, and Li Xiaopeng, among others.

The group even took a group photo and uploaded it to Weibo.

Qin Ming is currently in a class of his own among domestic athletes, even though he has never participated in the Olympics.

Leading the Chinese team back to the World Cup knockout stage is a significant achievement in itself.

Not to mention the dazzling honors behind it; any one of them could blow a group of people away.

The awards ceremony was not held immediately.

Qin Ming greeted Zhang Jike and others, then went to the neighboring racing circle to find Verstappen; the two were getting along better and better.

"See? I told you last year, you were sure you'd win an award!"

Verstappen lacks emotional intelligence and blurted it out loud.

Hamilton, who was standing next to him, didn't look too bad either, but he was probably a little embarrassed. He knew that in 2017, even if it wasn't Qin Ming's turn, it wouldn't be his either.

Almost everyone believed that the final winner would be either Qin Ming or Federer.

This year, the Mercedes-AMG team was also present because they were one of the nominees for the Best Team Award, while Arsenal only sent a few representatives: Qin Ming, the professor, and the club chairman.

Arsenal has an important match in early March.

Arsenal will face Manchester City in the 27th round of the Premier League. Yes, Arsenal just defeated Manchester City in the EFL Cup final a few days ago.

But the process was not very smooth.

No one can say for sure whether Arsenal can continue their winning streak in the league.

Another candidate team is the Golden State Warriors, represented by Stephen Curry, although the Warriors are unlikely to win the award.

After chatting with motorcyclist Valentino Rossi, Tour de France champion Chris Froome, and others for a while, Qin Ming finally arrived at his seat with the help of the staff.

First row, first position.

Even though this doesn't mean anything, it still excites countless people.

Federer came in second and Rafael Nadal came in third. The moment the host appeared, the audience burst into applause.

Benedict Cumberbatch.

A Londoner and actor, he's more commonly known as "Sherlock" than by his real name.

In previous years, he also starred in "Sherlock" and "Doctor Strange".

According to relevant media reports, "Avengers: Infinity War," in which he stars, will be released in April, two months from now.

This guy is quite popular.

The other host is Chinese, named Chen Chen. In fact, she co-hosted the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony with Benedict Cumberbatch three years ago in 2015.

However, that awards ceremony was held in Shanghai.

The fact that the two appeared on the same stage again this year is clearly sending a message, making Chinese fans and sports enthusiasts even more excited.

And, coincidentally...
At the FIFA World Player of the Year award ceremony, the host, Idris Elba, is an Arsenal fan, and this year's Benedict Cumberbatch is also a true Gunner.

A few years ago, when Arsenal's performance was poor.

People are saying that only Doctor Strange can save Arsenal.

Moreover, Mo Farah, who was sitting not far from Qin Ming, was also an Arsenal fan. He was the 10,000-meter champion and 5,000-meter silver medalist at last year's World Athletics Championships.

Still a huge fan.

If it weren't for his wife's objection, he would have wanted his son's middle name to be "Arsenal," and he had even publicly stated his hope to one day become Arsenal's fitness coach.

Osama bin Laden is another notable figure among Arsenal's fan base.

In the 1970s, while studying at Oxford University, he became a big fan of football, especially Arsenal.

The reason was that he was attracted by George Graham's team's brilliant performance in reaching the European Cup Winners' Cup final in the 1993/94 season.

Later, he even bought his son an Ian Wright autographed jersey.

The awards ceremony officially began after Amelie Sander finished singing.

After addressing Usain Bolt, Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, and other sports stars.

"Lawrence proved that sports can change the world by improving the lives of one child after another who plays in the stadium."

“The spirit of sports still lives vividly in the hearts of each of us, but this spirit needs you, and all of us, to carry it forward and pass it on to the next generation,” said His Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco.

When Benedict Cumberbatch returned to the stage, the first award presented was the Breakthrough of the Year Award.

Sergio Garcia!

Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia took the stage.

He won the Laureus Award for Best Newcomer in 2000, and won the Laureus Award for the second time 18 years later.

He won his first Masters title in the 74th of the four major tournaments.

Mbappe clapped softly from the stands, glancing at Qin Ming's blurry figure in the front row.

A year ago, he made Qin Ming his goal.

He dreamed that one day he would catch up with, or even surpass, Qin Ming's achievements.

but now?
The Champions League knockout stage a few days ago made him see the gap.

And then.

After winning the Formula One World Constructors' Championship four times in a row, Mercedes-AMG beat Arsenal and the Golden State Warriors to win the Team of the Year award.

Mel Kreak, winner of the Vendée-de-Navigation Solo Round-the-World Sailing Championship, was awarded the Extreme Athlete of the Year award.

Marcel Haag, a three-time world champion and wheelchair runner from Switzerland, won the Paralympic Athlete of the Year award.

The Chapecoense football team in Brazil was devastated by a devastating plane crash, but its revival and comeback have been a great inspiration to the sports world, earning it the Laureus World Sports Moment of the Year award.

Francesco Totti, the legendary Italian national team and AS Roma, has been awarded the Laureus Special Achievement Award.

"I am very happy to receive this award."

Totti remained quite serious on this occasion, but when he looked down at the trophy, he couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

As a professional player.

To achieve the honors you've always dreamed of while playing football, and to stand on this podium as a player.

That's what's truly something to be proud of.

Next to Totti is Manchester United legend and Welsh national team manager Ryan Giggs, a new member of the Laureus World Sports Academy.

Qin Ming subtly pursed his lips.

Because of Tintin's situation, he dislikes all the other green guys, such as Courtois, Icardi, and Giggs.

A player with exceptional talent, but a morally corrupt individual.

This is his assessment of Giggs.

Houston Texans defender JJ Watt received the Laureus World Sports Award for his tremendous efforts in raising over $3700 million for disaster relief after Houston was devastated by Hurricane Harvey.

This guy is really strong.

Qin Ming estimated that if he were hit, he would at least be injured, or at worst suffer a fracture.

Edwin Moses, an American Olympic legend and member of the Lawrence Academy, received the Lawrence Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Comeback of the Year award went to Federer.

The tennis world's strongest contender for the GOAT could win two awards tonight.

Qin Ming waved his hand. "Congratulations."

"Thank you."

Federer nodded.

The penultimate award is the Female Athlete of the Year.

Female athletes from tennis, swimming, and skiing were selected.

"Serena Williams!"

Benedict Cumberbatch revealed the final answer.

"She won the Australian Open title last year, which is her 23rd Grand Slam title!"

In 2017, Serena Williams, who had just become a mother, won five Laureus Awards, making her the most awarded female athlete in history.

Arsenal fans and Chinese fans became nervous again upon seeing this.

Lawrence is too biased towards tennis.

The atmosphere became much heavier. Sherlock took out the last envelope, opened it, looked up at Qin Ming, then at Federer, before smiling and saying, "In the past year, we have witnessed many seemingly impossible achievements."

"We have witnessed a tennis player, at an age when everyone thought he should retire, return to the center of the world."

"It also witnessed a race car driver writing his story on the track with the courage to approach the limits of physics."

"He also won the Tour de France four times between 2013 and 2017, and was the first athlete to cycle through the Channel Tunnel."

"."

Benedict Cumberbatch said a lot.

Only at the very end did he smile at Qin Ming, raise an eyebrow, and step aside to make way for the large screen behind him.

"But tonight, there is a name whose actions seem to challenge the limits of our understanding of 'possibility'."

Benedict Cumberbatch's voice stopped.

The large screen began to flash, and one epic moment after another flowed before people's eyes.

A whirlwind of 46 goals in the Premier League, a solo run through the Champions League final, and a phenomenal 92 goals in a single year.
"He not only won all the trophies, he reinvented the way to win."

"Those who admire beautiful football play the most beautiful football."

Sherlock slipped the card into the envelope and extended his hand to the audience, inviting them, "Ladies and gentlemen, this young man..."

The winner of the 2018 Laureus World Sports Award for Best Male Athlete is—

"Qin Ming!"

Benedict Cumberbatch must have practiced how to say those two words in Chinese many times before presenting the award.

As Qin Ming buttoned the first button, a spotlight shone on him amidst the dim lighting, outlining his tall and straight figure.

He bowed slightly to Wenger and the other athletes in salute.

Federer, standing nearby, had a very broad perspective. He smiled, patted Qin Ming on the shoulder, and whispered in his ear, "Congratulations to you too."

Top athletes should always maintain respect and dignity that transcends winning and losing.

"Thank you."

Qin Ming replied with a smile.

When he stepped onto the podium, Benedict Cumberbatch handed him the Laureus World Sports Award, a symbol of the limits of human athletic achievement. The weight of the trophy made his arm feel slightly heavy.

Unlike the Golden Globe Awards.

This represents recognition from the entire sports community.

"Qin, is there anything you'd like to say to your supporters, or anything you'd like to say yourself?"

Benedict Cumberbatch reminded him.

"Of course, this moment is very special to me. I cherish the award that Lawrence gave me, so I am very happy to receive it."

"My heartfelt thanks to the Lawrence Institution."

"I also want to thank football, because it has made the world aware of me and Chinese sports."

"I will continue to work hard in the future."

Qin Ming raised his hand and shook the trophy.

The applause in the hall was thunderous. In fact, whether Qin Ming or Federer won the award, they both felt that it was well-deserved.

Legendary stories never lack followers.

(End of this chapter)