Dominating Football with Perfect Ball Control

Chapter 85: 85. Golden Globe Awards

Check out advanced Chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari

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Doha, Qatar.

National Convention Center.

”...And now, dear viewers, behind me is the Qatar National Convention Center. This architecturally striking building is one of the most complex exhibition centers in the world.”

”Its overall structure draws inspiration from the local Sidra tree in Doha, making it a landmark building in Qatar.”

”Completed in April 2011, it now encompasses over 9 halls and 40,000 square meters of space, capable of accommodating over 10,000 people simultaneously.”

”This year’s FIFA Annual Awards Gala is being held in the National Convention Center Theater.”

”Soon, we will witness a Chinese Belgian player ascend the podium to receive an important international football award.”

”At the same time, we will also see who takes home the 2013 Ballon d’Or.”

”Please stay tuned to CCTV5 Sports Channel...”

Unless there’s an unexpected clash with ’important’ events like curling, snooker, tennis, or table tennis, CCTV5 typically broadcasts the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony live.

Given that a Chinese player is participating in a major FIFA-level award for the first time, CCTV5 is giving this awards ceremony significant attention, having dispatched a production team to Doha, Qatar.

After a series of live reports, the young, beautiful intern reporter finally completed her filming assignment.

As the camera cut back to the studio in the capital, she could finally rest.

”Not bad at all! Your first time as a guest reporter, and your first time going abroad for an interview assignment, you did quite well.”

”I was a bit nervous just now.”

”Don’t be nervous, Xiao Ma, this is what you’re meant to do. Reporting is just the first step; who knows, you might even host important events in the future.”

The photographer, Zhang Kaiheng, had high hopes for this university student.

Her live reports were fluent and clear, her thinking was agile, and she also had her own ideas—she was a promising candidate for a host.

”Hehe, thank you, Brother Zhang.”

Ma Fanshu, a sophomore intern reporter, felt a little embarrassed.

To be precise, she was already a junior.

After studying a year of a general economics and management major, Ma Fanshu stood out in a ”Tourism Island Image Ambassador Selection Contest” and, the following year, was admitted to the Communication University of China to study broadcasting and hosting, intending to pursue a career as a host.

Originally, she planned to make an appearance in the CCTV ’Host Competition’ next year.

However, unexpectedly, at the end of 2013, she fortuitously secured an opportunity to be an intern reporter for CCTV.

This required her to come to Doha, Qatar, to act as a frontline reporter covering the FIFA Ballon d’Or and the FIFA Annual Awards Gala.

Ma Fanshu usually liked watching football; her favorite team was Bayern Munich, and she liked Thomas Müller.

However, this season watching the Bundesliga, she noticed a teenage prodigy!

Lance’s elegant playing style and miraculous performances in every match instantly captivated Ma Fanshu’s attention.

What main team Bayern Munich?

No, now the main team was Bayer Leverkusen!

Although Lance couldn’t possibly go on stage to compete for the FIFA Ballon d’Or, he also had an important award today.

CCTV came in a rush and had not yet communicated with Lance’s agent, Jorge Mendes.

Relevant colleagues were coordinating, and they didn’t know if there would be an opportunity for an exclusive interview...

”Lance!!”

Ma Fanshu’s eyes lit up. The football stars had already arrived in luxury cars and were walking the red carpet, entering the venue one after another under a flurry of flashing lights.

She immediately spotted a tall, slender figure ahead, with a striking physique and an enchanting profile.

A handsome male idol with an East Asian face.

It couldn’t possibly be the Korean oppa Son Heung-min, could it?

It must be my Lance God!

Unfortunately, Ma Fanshu was too far away, and her shouts couldn’t get Lance’s attention.

”Let’s go, Brother Zhang.”

Ma Fanshu, feeling a bit dejected, led the photographer to the media section of the venue.

Football stars, rarely seen, were mostly gathered here.

Kaká, Neymar, her idol Thomas Müller, Gareth Bale, Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta...

Of course, what attracted the most attention were the world’s top ”duo of their generation,” Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo!

When they appeared one after the other, almost all the reporters rushed over, more frantic than for Hollywood superstars.

Since 2010, the France Football Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year merged to become the FIFA Ballon d’Or.

Lionel Messi had already won the trophy 3 times in a row.

Even in 2010 and 2012, Lionel Messi only had a La Liga title, with no other major competition titles.

This still didn’t prevent Lionel Messi from winning the Ballon d’Or.

Unless Cristiano Ronaldo brought back a Champions League title, he would have a chance to defeat Lionel Messi and win the award.

Lance was currently mingled among many world-class football stars in the guest seating area.

To his left was Luka Modri?, to his right was his old acquaintance Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale sat in front of him, and behind him were Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, and other FC Barcelona players.

He thought he was an unknown in the football world, having played less than half a season in top professional leagues.

However, once Lance took his seat, both Luka Modri? and Toni Kroos beside him, and Andrés Iniesta behind him, politely greeted Lance.

”Lance! Nice suit!”

”Lance, I finally get to meet you in person!”

”Truly beautiful! Lance! I’ve seen all of your goals, truly spectacular!”

”Nice to meet you, Lance, I’m...”

”Of course I know, you’re David Silva! You’ve been playing well this season, mate.”

The awards gala hadn’t officially begun, but Lance was already causing quite a stir in the guest section.

Many famous football stars were curious about him and approached him for conversation, intentionally or unintentionally.

Lance felt like a transfer student in the first episode of a Japanese anime, attracting classmates to gather around him.

In reality, for other established football stars, Lance was far from an unknown.

Having just arrived in the Bundesliga less than half a season ago, the reputation he had built was already explosive!

Especially the two crucial matches against Manchester United, which made him known worldwide!

According to rumors, in the perception of other players, Lance was an aloof, peerless talent.

He was said to be a ball-hog in training, not passing, not serious in training, ignoring tactics on the field, not listening to the coach’s instructions, having poor relationships within the team, and having a difficult personality...

However, after actually interacting with him, these football stars realized they had been deceived.

Lance was sunny and cheerful, humble and polite, with a great sense of humor and strong personal charisma.

How could he possibly be a ball-hog as described in the tabloids?

Due to the commotion in their area, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who were in the front row preparing to receive awards, couldn’t help but look back.

Seeing Lance, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi had different expressions.

Lionel Messi’s inner thoughts were not immediately discernible, Cristiano Ronaldo, however, very much wanted to meet this Lance.

Originally, he was Jorge Mendes’s top star!

Now, Jorge Mendes was paying more and more attention to Lance, and he, the ”original,” was being relegated to the cold palace by Jorge Mendes.

Cristiano Ronaldo was a bit unconvinced, thinking, ’I’m clearly the world’s number one!’

Soon, with the opening remarks from a FIFA official, the awards gala officially began!

”...The next award to be presented is in memory of the Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás, recognizing the most spectacular goal of the year.”

”And this awards gala will be the most predictable Puskás Award ceremony.”

Retired Brazilian superstar ”Ronaldo” walked onto the stage, smiling broadly with his large belly and plump face.

”Hahaha, today all 3 candidates share the same name, so I don’t need to say much, I’ll just announce it directly!”

”The winner of the 2013 Puskás Award is — Lance!!”

Amidst the applause and cheers from world-class football stars and faithfully recorded by cameras from various countries, Lance, dressed in a suit worth hundreds of thousands of euros, walked towards the podium.

”Those goals were all beautiful, Lance, I’m your fan, keep it up!”

”Thank you, Mr. Ronaldo.”

Lance smiled as he received the Puskás Award trophy from Ronaldo’s hands.

On the large screen behind him, a video of ”Puskás Award Goals” was playing.

Undoubtedly, the top goal was Lance’s injury-time winner against Manchester United in the Champions League group stage at home!

Lance dribbled past 3 defenders in a street dance-like manner, then chipped the ball for the winning goal!

Trophy honor +1!

In his acceptance speech, Lance made a bold statement:

”I’m delighted to receive recognition from the Puskás Award, but I hope that next time I stand here, I’ll be holding the Ballon d’Or trophy!”