The fastest goal of this World Cup was also created by Ghana's Asamoah—just sixty-nine seconds in.
The team with the most cards this tournament was Portugal, collecting twenty-four yellows and one red, showcasing their iron-blooded style.
The player with the most tackles was Italy's midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, with forty-seven sliding tackles, earning him the reputation of a true "tackling machine."
But the team with the most tackles wasn't Italy—it was Germany, with a total of two hundred and twenty.
The goalkeepers with the most Goalkeeper Saves were Casillas and Buffon, each making twenty-seven stops.
And the club that supplied the most national-team players for this World Cup was Arsenal, with fifteen players participating.
That's not necessarily good news. From a certain angle, it basically foreshadows Arsenal losing the title race next season—too many players didn't get proper rest over the summer. Their form will drop, and if injuries pile up from fatigue, then it's gg.
Meanwhile, the London Globe also released an early list of the "Top 10 Rising Stars of the World Cup."
Ramos, Mascherano, Schweinsteiger, Robinho, Robben, Torres, Rooney, Messi, Ronaldo, and Podolski made the list.
All of them are under twenty-two.
What?
Why isn't Su Hang on the list?
Simple—because the London Globe is saving a full headline just for Su Hang.
The top ten rising stars are impressive, sure, but they don't qualify to be mentioned in the same breath as my Su!
Back at the award ceremony, the first individual honor presented was the Best Newcomer.
Su Hang stepped onto the stage to receive it.
Ramos, Puyol, Torres, Simon, and a few others teamed up to carry Su Hang onto the podium, making for an awkwardly funny sight.
Derek Rae: "Uh, for fans not here in person—during the post-match celebrations, Su Hang was in a wheelchair due to lower-back pain."
"The injury came from that overhead-kick clearance. He'll undergo further checks later, and we'll keep an eye on it."
"But none of that stops him from lifting this trophy."
"This Best Young Player award recognizes Su Hang, but honestly, I think it's Su Hang who elevates the award."
"Past and future winners of this award will likely live in the shadow of this year's recipient—because no one is ever going to have a more successful World Cup debut than Su Hang."
After Su Hang was carried off, FIFA presented the second award:
The Golden Glove.
The winner: Iker Casillas.
His rivals were Italy's Gianluigi Buffon and Germany's Jens Lehmann.
Winning the title gave Casillas the decisive edge.
The third award was for Best Goal—going to the final goal of this World Cup, Su Hang's tenth of the tournament: that outer-lane acceleration, slicing through five defenders!
Once again, teammates carried Su Hang onto the stage, and once again carried him back down afterward.
The fourth award was the Most Entertaining Team, which went to the biggest winners of the night: Spain.
The citation read: "Their matches were always turbulent and magnificent. They showed the world that superheroes exist on the football pitch, achieving the ultimate balance of teamplay and individual brilliance!"
Aragonés and Simón accepted the trophy.
The fifth award was the big one—the World Cup Golden Boot.
Su Hang took the stage for the third time, grinning as he held all three trophies in his arms.
Zidane won the Silver Boot with seven goals, but there's no physical trophy for that.
Even more bittersweet: Zidane was also the tournament's Top Assists leader.
But there's no trophy for that either…
Zidane: Shaking with rage "I formally condemn FIFA's neglect of assist providers!"
Meanwhile, Klose and Henry earned the Bronze Boot with five goals each.
Villa and Torres followed with four.
Ronaldo, Crespo, and Podolski each scored three.
Finally came the most prestigious individual award—the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball.
This award is controversial.
Some years, it truly goes to the best player of the tournament.
But starting from Ronaldo's era, its purpose shifted—becoming a consolation prize for the runners-up, usually awarded to the best performer on the losing finalist.
This is widely accepted in world football.
That's why, at the 2022 World Cup final ceremony, Mbappé wasn't just upset about France losing—much of it was because the Golden Ball that should've been his went to Messi.
Whether you follow the "best player on the runner-up team" logic or the "best player overall" logic, Mbappé—who scored a hat-trick—was the more deserving winner.
Such unfairness did not occur in the 2006 World Cup.
Zinedine Zidane received the consolation award.
Likewise, had France won today, it would have been Su Hang lifting the Golden Ball.
Mbappé: "So he gets it when he loses, and he gets it when he wins too?"
Su Hang: "Relax, turtle. When you play with me, the loser gets it. Want World Cup Golden Balls? I've got plenty!"
Zidane stepped onto the podium, holding the trophy for a moment before speaking:
"Thank you to my teammates, and to all the fans who supported us."
"We couldn't bring home the victory. As the team's leader, I'm sorry."
"Of course, this result isn't anyone's fault. Spain played extremely well—especially Su Hang. He deserved this trophy more than I did."
"No matter how many years go by, I'll never forget today's match—because this was the final match of my career."
On screen, many players were visibly shocked.
Yes—before the season began, Zidane had said this would be his last.
People believed it at first.
But as Real Madrid charged ahead on all three fronts with unstoppable momentum, that possibility faded.
When Real lifted the Champions League trophy and completed the Treble, everyone was sure Zidane would continue.
Because he was still that good.
The same discussions resurfaced before the World Cup.
And when Zidane led France to the final, then produced two goals and an assist today, everyone assumed he would take it all back.
Over the past year, Zidane, Su Hang, and Figo were unquestionably the three best players on the planet.
Even if he went to the Turkish Super League for a payday, people would've said it was too soon—so retiring outright?
But Zidane was unwavering:
"Many have urged me to keep playing, but only I know—it's time to say goodbye."
"I will withdraw my talents from the pitch and devote myself to my family and other pursuits."
"Thank you all for your support, and for your blessings."