From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 447 - 123: The Second Major Award of the Year! The Grand Slam in Progress! Pride of Ma’el

Finally, with a juggling-like two consecutive ball pulls to deceive the opponent’s center-back, he enters the penalty area and scores with the outside of his foot!

Equally spectacular!

After the video ended, the image of Ma’el celebrating while playing the violin finally appeared, showcasing elegance and charm, drawing many people to look at him.

Ma’el suddenly felt a bit embarrassed, his cheeks slightly flushed, holding back the smile at the corner of his mouth.

Watching his goals alongside so many football stars and coaches, it truly brings a bit of uncontrollable shyness to the heart.

As the camera showed him accelerating and changing direction continuously, in the blink of an eye, he reached the penalty area, then using a shot aimed to the right but hit to the left, completed the finish!

The English commentary gasped with breathless excitement, playing around the Zurich Conference Center: "Incredible long-distance goal....!

"Wow! Amazing...! Wonderful...wonderful...and wonderful...!!"

Ma’el slightly lowered his head, noticing more people were looking his way, though this slight shyness didn’t affect the brightness on his face.

"Clap clap clap.....!" Applause sounded, as everyone in the Zurich Center started clapping, giving ovation for these three goals.

Ma’el glanced sideways, Neymar’s reaction was even more intense than his, the opponent couldn’t stop trembling.

He quickly turned his gaze forward again, waiting for Gullit to announce the final winner.

Unexpectedly, the topic was suddenly switched to something else, "Let’s take a look at this year’s final candidates for the Men’s Golden Ball Award, there are three.

"Because one could not attend this award ceremony, we can only use a photo instead of his perspective."

With a wave of Gullit’s hand, Ronaldo’s goal highlights were played on the screen, followed closely by Javi’s, and Messi’s.

They are this year’s three final candidates for FIFA’s Golden Ball Award, with others ranking slightly lower.

Ma’el froze for a moment, turns out it was just a preliminary process, he adjusted his sitting posture, staying calm awaiting the final award moment.

"....."

After a long compilation, Gullit finally invited the first award presenter, King of Football Pele.

"Clap clap clap.....!" He came on stage amidst a round of applause, bowed slightly and said: "This is not only a gathering for some people but also a gathering for the football family.

"Next, let me announce, the 2011 FIFA Best Eleven!"

He picked up a card and began to read, "Goalkeeper position, Casillas! Spain!"

Starting so quickly, the broadcast team behind him didn’t react, paused before following with Casillas’s highlights.

"Alves, Brazil! Pique, Spain! Ramos, Spain! Vidic, Serbia!"

As each name was read aloud, a segment of highlights began to play, and everyone below looked passionately at the screen.

Ma’el felt the same, though he knew with his performance and accumulated honors this year, it was unlikely to enter the Best Eleven of the Year.

The competition for the forward position was very fierce, especially for the left side position he plays, and the Portuguese star Ronaldo is an insurmountable gap for him now.

He can only strive for better or comparable results, for FIFA to consider if they should let him replace Ronaldo, or move him to the center-forward position.

"Iniesta, Spain! Alonso, Spain! Javi, Spain!"

The names of the three best midfielders were then read, all are Real Madrid and Barcelona stars, and all Spanish.

With 8 players from the midfield and backfield, Spanish players accounted for 6, demonstrating the dominance of La Liga and the Spanish national team in world football during this period!

"Lionel Messi, Argentina! Wayne Rooney, England! Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal!"

With the final three names read, the full lineup of 11 FIFA Best Eleven players for the year was completed, with 5 from Barça, 4 from Real Madrid, and 2 from Manchester United.

"Clap clap clap.....!"

Applause rang out again, it’s a norm in the awards ceremony, players not winning significant awards shouldn’t be discouraged, at least afterward they could gain a pair of hands sore from clapping.

"Buzz buzz buzz...!" Music followed closely, with all winning players going up to the stage, receiving their commemorative trophies.

Ma’el watched them, eyes full of envy, he doesn’t envy others often.....but it’s okay, he is still young, with plenty of assets.

Set a goal, to enter the World Football Best Eleven next year, becoming the best player in his position!

"....."

Next, FIFA President Blatter went up, saying a bunch of nonsense, then shamelessly awarded the ’FIFA President’s Award’ to Ferguson.

He counts as thriving now, after all, there’s no corruption scandal yet, hasn’t been showered with money by comedians.

Watching Blatter, Ma’el seemed to see that iconic football photo, though he didn’t show anything on his face, knowing the old man will stay in this position for a few more years.

He continued to wait, hoping to win his only hopeful award, the Puskás Award.

Being nominated for this award at the age of 18 is a great honor for him, if he wins, he really didn’t know how happy he’d be.

"Women’s Football Coach of the Year, Sasaki Norio! He led Japan’s women’s football to a miraculous victory in the World Cup last year!"

"Clap clap clap.....!"

"Men’s Football Coach of the Year, Guardiola! He led Barcelona to win five championships last year!"