In fact, Qin Xiong's chances of winning were not high. Just like the other star players among the popular candidates, the competition for the Ballon d 'Or itself only existed between one or two people every year. It was rare for three candidates to compete fiercely.
However, there would still be a large number of Chinese fans waiting in front of the TV or computer in the middle of the night to watch the live broadcast of the Ballon d 'Or. At the same time, they would leave messages on Qin Xiong's personal website.
When they saw Qin Xiong in a suit and leather shoes appear in front of the camera, many female fans would leave messages of admiration for Qin Xiong on the website. They would straightforwardly write that Qin Xiong was particularly handsome today. They also hoped that some photos of Qin Xiong attending the ceremony could be posted on their personal websites for download.
And when Qin Xiong and Sylvia walked into the venue hand in hand as a couple, many fans would write on the website's message board: They are showing off their love again!
More fans would seriously discuss whether Qin Xiong could win the award this year.
"Eighth Brother Qin should take off this nickname this year, right?"
"It's definitely impossible for him to still be eighth. He was the European assist king last season, Arsenal's league champion, and the FA Cup champion. How could it be possible without Team Qin?"
There were also many fans who would affectionately call Qin Xiong "Captain Qin" because he was the captain of the national team.
"He should be in the top five this year."
"It should be no problem. Among the popular candidates for the Premier League, only Gerard has the power to compete with Team Qin and Henry the Great. After all, Gerard has the Champions League title."
"Real Madrid's star players in Spain only have fame left. Last season was a terrible year and there was no harvest."
"As a fan of Team Qin and Meiling, please don't discuss Real Madrid."
"The influence of Serie A is beginning to decline. If AC Milan wins the Champions League, there may be many star players who can overshadow the Qin team with their strong popularity. Unfortunately, they failed to defend their league title and suffered a shocking reversal in the Champions League final. It should be impossible for AC Milan to have a star player who can get more votes than the Qin team. Juventus is very stable, but I feel that they are too stable and not very outstanding."
"Let's see. I really hope that Captain Qin can at least get third place and then go on stage to receive the award. Although he's definitely not as good as Mr. Golden Ball, he can at least go on stage, right?"
"That's right. No matter what Team Qin's ranking is, he is refreshing the history of Chinese and Asian players. We should be proud!"
.....
Qin Xiong was very calm at the awards ceremony. Ambition and ability were two different things.
He had ambitions for the Ballon d 'Or, but he did not make a breakthrough in the Champions League last season, which was a reflection of his lack of ability. Therefore, he was self-aware and adjusted his mentality well.
He was here to watch the ceremony today.
When the awards ceremony reached the climax, the list of the final three winners was announced. Qin Xiong and Sylvia stood up and applauded. At the same time, they turned around and hugged Henry. However, Qin Xiong said some comforting words in Henry's ear.
Henry walked onto the stage with a forced smile. He only got third place. The second place was Gerard from Liverpool, the Champions League champion. The first place, without any suspense, was Ronaldinho from Barcelona!
Qin Xiong did not know what his ranking was until the detailed voting results were announced at the end of the awards ceremony. He only knew that he was in fourth place, behind Henry and ahead of Lampard by two votes to become the fourth place of the Ballon d 'Or.
Ronaldinho's award seemed to be well-deserved. In terms of honor, it was nothing more than a La Liga title. However, at Barcelona's level, the club's influence was higher than that of ordinary powerhouses. Since Cruyff founded the Barcelona Dream Team, Barcelona's influence in Europe grew day by day. Of course, this was also related to the player's individual style of play and ability. Just like the alien Ronaldo in Barcelona, he only joined Barcelona from PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands. His performance in the second half of the year was not good. He did not even get a decent team honor, but he could almost win the Ballon d 'Or. He also won the FIFA World Player of the Year. In Barcelona, he did not win the league title. He only won the UEFA Europa League. After transferring to Inter Milan, he became the winner of the Ballon d' Or.
This was almost unimaginable in other clubs.
This was the increase in influence that the club brought to the player.
Ronaldinho became the Ballon d 'Or amidst a wave of praise. It seemed that the whole world was looking forward to him stepping on the throne of the Ballon d' Or. What was missing? Leading the Brazilian team to win the World Cup?
Qin Xiong did not think about this. There was no point in thinking too much. After the ceremony, he returned to the hotel with Sylvia. It was not yet ten o 'clock. Sylvia took off her evening gown in the hotel and pulled Qin Xiong to take a fragrant bath together. Then, the two did not have sex.
It was rare for them to come to France. The two changed into casual clothes and strolled around Paris like an ordinary couple. They leisurely enjoyed sweet time together on the Champs-Élysées.
Qin Xiong did not seem to care at all about the earthquake in the football world after the Ballon d 'Or awards. The milestone moment that Fleet Street called "the arrival of the Ronaldinho era" was not in his mind at all.
He would look forward to playing with the man who was closest to the Ballon d 'Or, even if he failed, he would not regret it.
Coming to France was more like a vacation. After midnight, Qin Xiong and Sylvia went to a hot spring hotel. The two of them soaked comfortably in the hot spring before returning to their room to rest.
After another day in France, he returned to London.
He returned to the Arsenal Club for training. After the training, he was blocked at the entrance of the training base by the reporters from Fleet Street. The reporters asked him about the results of the Ballon d 'Or awards.
Would he feel that it was unfair?
It was not easy to become the double assist king in the Premier League and the Champions League in a season, but he was not even qualified to stand on the podium.
Would he cry out for Henry? Was Henry not worthy of the Ballon d 'Or?
Barcelona's Ronaldinho overshadowed the star players around him, such as Eto 'o, Deco, Xavi, and others.
But at Arsenal, Henry and Qin Xiong also overshadowed the other star players, such as Pires, Ljungberg, Vieira last season, Fàbregas, Silva, and other star players.
Fleet Street was like that. There were always all kinds of conspiracy theories.
Moreover, the Ballon d 'Or awards were unfair to the media in various countries, such as the German media, who cried out for Ballon d' Or.
Qin Xiong rolled down the window and said a few words, then drove away.
"The Ballon d 'Or awards are over. I don't care about this anymore. No matter what you say or do, you can't change the result. You asked me if I was not satisfied with only fourth place. I have no problem. I'm only thinking about the league this weekend. As for Thierry, I think he is one of the best players in the world. Should he win the award? I say he should, but I'm not a judge. I don't have the right to decide. If I were a judge, why wouldn't I choose myself? Your questions are too boring. "
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