"Yes, that's right. We're about to have a Ballon d'Or winner!"
"After winning the Champions League, the World Cup, and the World Cup Golden Boot, Leo Lin is definitely going to win the Ballon d'Or. This might be the least suspenseful Ballon d'Or selection in history!"
"If anyone can beat Leo Lin to the Ballon d'Or this year, I'll call him the greatest miracle worker in soccer!"
After the match against Manchester, as fans watched Leo Lin give his jersey to the young fan and sign it for him, the viewers in the livestream praised Leo Lin, then immediately turned their attention to the upcoming Ballon d'Or ceremony.
What kind of status does the Ballon d'Or hold in the soccer world?
"The Ballon d'Or is soccer's equivalent of an Oscar: the ultimate prize, the one every player dreams of holding."
As long as you win the Ballon d'Or, every soccer fan will remember you. It is the ultimate dream of countless professional players, but only a rare few ever reach that height.
Before Messi and Ronaldo appeared, the Ballon d'Or usually passed from one star to another.
But after those two emerged, it became either Messi or Ronaldo winning it, almost like a fixed program every year.
But when it came to the Ballon d'Or to be awarded in 2018, everyone knew it would not be Messi or Ronaldo again.
"The Ballon d'Or will be presented on schedule. On January 2, all invited guests will head to the ceremony venue!"
The Ballon d'Or would be awarded in Paris, France, and this time, they had prepared a different segment.
The winner would enter from the very back of the venue, step onto the red carpet, and walk toward the Ballon d'Or trophy under the lights.
This arrangement would let the Ballon d'Or winner enjoy a longer round of applause and fully feel the respect of everyone connected to the soccer world, both at the venue and in the livestream.
Faced with countless reporters' questions, Leo Lin always pretended he had no idea who the Ballon d'Or winner would be.
"The Ballon d'Or winner has basically been decided?"
"Who said that?"
"Who?"
"I've never heard anything about it, and I don't know who it'll be either."
"Whether I'll attend the Ballon d'Or ceremony?"
"Damn it, who taught you to ask questions like that?"
"Of course I'll attend. If I don't, who are they going to give the Ballon d'Or to?"
"Ah, what?"
"Didn't I just say I don't know who the Ballon d'Or winner will be?"
"Exactly. I don't know. I'm only going so I can taste the red wine at the venue."
Leo Lin was not pretending to be humble. It was just that this award was too prestigious. When everyone already knew he would be the winner, if he showed his sense of honor too early in front of the major media, or gave an acceptance speech too soon, it might look a little too showy from a certain angle. At the very least, Leo Lin himself did not like doing things that way.
On the evening of January 1, many Liverpool players went to Barnett's house for dinner.
Barnett and Delores cooked a table full of food.
"We're all going to Paris with you tomorrow. With all of us there backing you up, you'd better make it count, especially in your acceptance speech. Remember to mention my name!"
Firmino was handing Vivian a glass of water. The two had officially confirmed their relationship the day before.
Vivian had liked Firmino from the start, and after spending time with her, Firmino was also convinced that Vivian was a good woman who valued family and knew how to live well.
"Why should he mention your name? Because you're ugly?"
"If he's going to mention anyone, it should be me. I'm his midfield partner."
Wijnaldum waved his hand, signaling for Firmino to get behind him. Firmino picked up an onion ring with his backhand and landed it squarely on Wijnaldum's forehead.
Seeing that the two of them were about to start an onion ring war, Barnett hurriedly took control of the situation. He did not want onion rings flying back and forth in front of his eyes.
"Calm down, everyone, calm down. Let me say something!"
"Lin, when it comes to the thank you part, teammates or not, none of that matters. What matters is that you remember you have the best agent in the world, and his name is Barnett!"
"You have to thank me. And while you're at it, promote my handsome new hairstyle!"
Barnett rubbed his hair, and Delores, standing beside him, smacked him on the back of the head. Everyone burst into laughter.
Maria looked at Leo Lin. She felt that he did not seem as excited as she had imagined.
"Is something wrong?" Maria asked.
But she had guessed wrong. Leo Lin was not unexcited. He was so excited that he suddenly felt a little overwhelmed.
After all, he was still young. A top award like the Ballon d'Or struck him too deeply.
The outside world placed particular importance on this year's Ballon d'Or ceremony. Although it was being awarded in 2018, it did not honor the best player of the current year, but the player who had performed best in the previous season.
Everyone's focus was on his age. Leo Lin was 18 years old. Before him, no player this young had ever won the Ballon d'Or, and he was about to make history!
"Win the Ballon d'Or at 18, then you can have 20 Ballon d'Ors by 28, and 100 Ballon d'Ors by 38!"
In the official livestream, Scholes was imitating Gerrard's commentary style from last year. Gerrard had officially left the commentary team and started pursuing a coaching career. There were reports that he would go to Rangers as head coach.
"Your math teacher must have been Gerrard, right?" Ashley Cole teased from beside him, knowing that Scholes admired Leo Lin.
"Just thinking about such a young player about to set one of the records in Ballon d'Or history makes me so excited I can barely control myself!"
Scholes was not the only one excited. Liverpool fans were just as thrilled.
Leo Lin winning the Ballon d'Or was also the highest honor for Liverpool.
From now on, Liverpool fans could hang up pictures of Leo Lin holding the Ballon d'Or and strut around online. Whoever annoyed them, they could throw that picture out and shut them up.
The preparations were the same as before the Golden Boy Award ceremony. Barnett used his connections to prepare the most impressive setup for Leo Lin that day.
The next day, many close friends accompanied Leo Lin to the ceremony venue, where plenty of soccer legends had been invited.
For the Ballon d'Or, the organizers always invited many retired stars, along with some active players, to attend.
This was to maintain the Ballon d'Or's prestige. They wanted it to always be regarded as the top award in the soccer world and not be replaced by any new award in the future.
Since the final winner had basically been decided, many stars who knew the award had nothing to do with them might not attend. That was what worried the Ballon d'Or organizers.
But after Guardiola suddenly announced that he would bring Manchester City's two stars, Agüero and De Bruyne, to this Ballon d'Or ceremony, Klopp immediately followed by announcing that the entire Liverpool squad would accompany Leo Lin.
After that, many stars announced one after another that they would attend this Ballon d'Or ceremony, and the organizers' worries turned out to be unnecessary.
Given Leo Lin's performances and the role he played in the soccer world, the Ballon d'Or organizers really had been worrying too much.
It was not that his status was especially high, but that Leo Lin was simply too likable. His good relationships in the soccer world were now showing their value.
On January 3, at 8:00 p.m. local time, the Ballon d'Or ceremony officially began.
The venue was packed with soccer professionals from all over the world, retired legends, and active players.
The Liverpool players all had anticipation written across their faces. Leo Lin was not in his seat, but he had not missed the ceremony. He was backstage preparing for his entrance. Before the Ballon d'Or was presented, there were still many other awards to announce.
As the award for the club with the greatest spirit of friendship and fair play was presented, followed by the European Golden Boot, the Champions League Best Forward, and other awards, Liverpool collected quite a few honors.
Firmino, thanks to his excellent performances, was named Champions League Best Striker, while Messi and Ronaldo were named the best left winger and right winger respectively.
The Champions League Best Midfielder award went to Leo Lin, with Firmino accepting it on his behalf.
Klopp took home Coach of the Year.
The Liverpool Supporters' Association was selected as Fan Club of the Year, an award that recognized Liverpool fans.
In particular, the atmosphere Liverpool fans created during the comeback against Bayern Munich was still circulating online and was called by fans one of the greatest displays of support in soccer history.
One award after another was announced, and round after round of applause rang out.
Finally, at 8:30 p.m. local time, the main event arrived.
The Ballon d'Or.
The award honoring the most outstanding soccer player on the planet.
With the winner already beyond doubt, the host had no intention of deliberately creating suspense.
At Casillas's shout, the spotlight turned toward the back of the venue. The carpet had already been rolled out, stretching from the middle between the two sides of the hall all the way to the Ballon d'Or trophy.
The fans in the livestream, who had waited so long, finally reached the decisive moment.
"I waited half an hour just for this moment!"
"Come on, the greatest and strongest player on the planet, the ultimate soccer ability user!"
"Even though we all know who the winner is, I still hope we can shout his name together with Casillas!"
At that moment, Casillas drew in a breath, then shouted with all his strength:
"Congratulations to this year's Ballon d'Or winner!"
"Leo Lin!!!"
Everyone in the venue stood up.
Guardiola was the first to rise. He had been watching Barnett out of the corner of his eye the whole time, just to make sure he stood up faster than him.
From hatred back then to love now, Guardiola's feelings for Leo Lin had truly turned from hate into love.
Everyone was applauding, their eyes fixed on the exit at the back.
As the white smoke cleared, Leo Lin appeared in a sharp suit, flashing a smile handsome enough to conquer the universe. He waved to all the guests at the venue in thanks, then began walking toward the Ballon d'Or trophy.
The Ballon d'Or gleamed brightly. Its polished surface reflected Leo Lin as he walked toward it.
The youngest winner in Ballon d'Or history!
...
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