Chapter 227 The Golden Globe Awards Are Announced! The Chinese Stand On Top Of The World For The First Time!

Paris, France.

The "French Football" magazine had reserved the luxurious auditorium at the Four Seasons Hotel in the golden district of the Louvre to host the prestigious Ballon d'Or ceremony. The event was as glamorous as the Cannes Film Festival, with many football stars arriving in luxury cars, allowing the media to capture their moments on the red carpet.

Among the attendees were Aguero, Aubameyang, Gareth Bale, De Bruyne, Dybala, Godin, Ibrahimovic, Lewandowski, and many other superstars who were among the 30 nominees.

In a surprising move, CCTV's five sports channels postponed coverage of curling, snooker, badminton, volleyball, and other events to broadcast the Ballon d'Or ceremony live—a first for Chinese fans! Usually, even important football matches would be bumped by other sports, but this time, the significance of the Ballon d'Or took precedence.

Why? Because the top three contenders for the Ballon d'Or included Su Luo! This was the first time a Chinese player had a real shot at winning the highest honor in football.

In the past, such an idea would have been unthinkable. Chinese players rarely made it into the top 100, let alone being among the final three contenders!

CCTV executives pulled out all the stops for this historic event, and Ma Fanshu, a prominent sports journalist, eagerly volunteered to lead the team in Paris. Positioned in the media area at the hotel entrance, Ma Fanshu was broadcasting live, connecting with the studio back in China.

"...We just interviewed Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who expressed confidence in Su Luo winning tonight," Ma Fanshu reported.

Chinese fans were thrilled to see Ibrahimovic, who often refers to himself as a god, openly declare:

"Su Luo is currently the best player, certified by Zlatan."

As the red carpet continued to buzz with activity, Ma Fanshu caught up with stars like Dybala, Toni Kroos, and Modric, asking for their predictions. Dybala, Suarez, and others were in Messi's corner, while Ramos and Bale felt Ronaldo deserved the honor. Modric's response was particularly telling:

"I support Ronaldo, but the Ballon d'Or is about recognizing overall excellence. This past year, it's clear who has been the best."

As the big names continued to arrive, the flashing lights intensified as Messi and Ronaldo stepped out of their luxury cars onto the red carpet. The two rivals didn't exchange words, maintaining a professional distance. But as they were still posing for photos, reporters and photographers suddenly turned their attention elsewhere, rushing to capture someone deemed even more important.

Ronaldo paused, looking somewhat annoyed, and muttered to Messi:

"That kid really knows how to steal the spotlight."

Clearly, Ronaldo was eager to win the Ballon d'Or that night, hoping to put Su Luo in his place. After all, Ronaldo had won the European Championship, a significant achievement that neither Messi nor Su Luo could claim. The other two had only domestic league titles to their names.

Messi, however, was more reflective:

"In a few years, none of this will matter."

Messi knew his career was nearing its end as he approached 30, while Su Luo, not yet 20, was poised to dominate the football world for a decade or more. Messi's only remaining dream was to win the World Cup in 2018 so he could retire with no regrets.

Ronaldo, on the other hand, was fiercely competitive and still wanted to challenge Su Luo.

Messi sighed and walked into the ceremony, leaving Ronaldo to brood.

On the other side of the red carpet, the person who had stolen the show was indeed Su Luo. He was accompanied by the supermodel Josephine, who clung to his arm with a sense of elegance and flair. Josephine, known for representing major international brands, exuded undeniable charm, and she and Su Luo were widely regarded as football's golden couple.

"Sue, do you think you'll win the Ballon d'Or tonight?" one reporter asked.

"How do you feel about your chances against Messi and Ronaldo?" chimed another.

"What's your prediction for tonight's ceremony?"

Microphones were thrust into Su Luo's face from all directions, making it hard to know where to start.

Just then, a familiar voice called out:

"Su Luo, there are over 10 million fans watching live in China. Can you say a few words to them?"

Su Luo smiled calmly and said:

"Thank you all for your support. I won't let you down tonight."

Chinese fans watching the live broadcast were stunned. Could Su Luo really be this confident about winning the Ballon d'Or? His aura and confidence were unmistakable.

After years of growth, Su Luo was no longer the rookie he once was—he was now the world's strongest superstar.

As Su Luo finished speaking, a brief but intense exchange of glances occurred between Ma Fanshu and Josephine. A woman's intuition told Ma Fanshu that her relationship with Su Luo was far from ordinary. Josephine, on the other hand, had known about Ma Fanshu for a while. She was beautiful, a fellow Chinese national, and possibly important to Su Luo.

What if Su Luo had a thing for Eastern beauty? After all, there were rumors about him and Taylor Swift, as well as a sprinter he had been linked to in the past. Josephine felt a sudden wave of pressure but maintained her composure, her elegant smile never wavering.

Ma Fanshu, too, felt the weight of the situation. She knew Josephine was the real deal and that Su Luo had genuine feelings for her. The two women exchanged polite nods, masking the undercurrents of competition that surged between them. Each harbored her own thoughts, but neither showed any sign of hostility.

At the 2016 Ballon d'Or ceremony, the football world gathered in anticipation. Stars, legendary coaches, media reporters, and football celebrities were all present, eager to witness the crowning of the year's best player.

Kate Abdo, the stunning host from Sky Sports, took the stage to kick off the event. With the Eiffel Tower lit up in gold, symbolizing the prestigious award, Kate introduced the evening with flair.

"For nearly a decade," she began, "since Kaka won the Ballon d'Or in 2007, only two names have dominated this stage: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo!"

"Their rivalry has captivated the football world, with each outshining the competition year after year."

"But this year," she continued with a smile, "a new star has emerged, shaking up the status quo!"

"This player not only led Europe in goals but also shattered the record for assists. He took a newly promoted team all the way to the Champions League semifinals and, after transferring, guided his new team to an incredible 22-game winning streak!"

"He is the captain from China, the one and only—Su Luo!"

"The competition this year has been fierce, and the voting was incredibly close. Who will claim the Ballon d'Or? Let's find out!"

As Kate stepped aside, the award presenter appeared on stage—a man with a slightly fuller figure, a neck lined with wrinkles, and a warm, fleshy face. Despite his appearance, no one would dare underestimate him. He was a legend in the football world: Ronaldo, the original "Fenomeno."

The host playfully asked, "Is this your first time in Paris?"

Ronaldo chuckled, "Not the first."

His mind likely flashed back to the 1998 World Cup final at the Stade de France in Paris, where his Brazilian team had suffered a crushing 0-3 defeat to the host nation, France. Zidane had triumphed that day, but Ronaldo would wait four more years to reach the pinnacle of world football.

Having won two Ballon d'Ors himself, Ronaldo still stood as a football icon.

After some light banter, the ceremony shifted to the big screen, where highlights of the top three contenders—Ronaldo, Messi, and Su Luo—played for the audience. Each had left an indelible mark on the past year.

Ronaldo had led Portugal to European glory. Messi had once again dominated La Liga with Barcelona, guiding Argentina to the Copa America final. And Su Luo? His highlight reel was a showcase of spectacular goals: a scissor kick from outside the box, a goal from an impossible angle, a 70-meter lob, five consecutive goals in one match, and a thunderous long-range free kick.

As the short film ended, the room erupted in applause. Stars like Modric, Suarez, De Bruyne, and Ibrahimovic clapped enthusiastically, recognizing Su Luo's extraordinary talent.

With the audience still buzzing, Kate Abdo returned to the microphone, beaming. "It's a tremendous honor to have Ronaldo here to present this award. As we just saw in the highlight reel, these three players have truly been the greatest in football over the past year."

She turned to Ronaldo. "Mr. Ronaldo, who do you think will win tonight?"

Ronaldo grinned, not missing a beat. "I admire both Messi and Cristiano, but I have to vote for Su Luo. He reminds me of my younger self with his dazzling dribbles and knack for surprising defenders. His finishing and vision are unmatched. I'm just glad I didn't have to face him in my playing days—he would've given me a real headache."

Ronaldo's praise was heartfelt, and it was clear he saw something special in Su Luo. To him, Su Luo was not just a player, but a worthy heir to his footballing legacy.

As the moment of truth approached, the tension in the room was palpable. The on-screen countdown began, the faces of Messi, Ronaldo, and Su Luo flickering ominously. When the countdown ended, the lights dimmed, and a single spotlight illuminated the stage.

The audience held their breath as the figure holding the Ballon d'Or slowly turned to face them. Messi's fans were the first to react, realizing that the winner, standing over 180 cm tall, could not be their idol. The suspense narrowed down to Ronaldo and Su Luo.

With his black hair and yellow skin, the answer was clear—it was Su Luo!

In the CCTV broadcast room, the host couldn't contain his excitement. "It's Su Luo!!! For the first time in history, a Chinese player has won the Ballon d'Or!"

As the audience erupted in disbelief and joy, Su Luo, with a calm smile, stepped forward, holding the gleaming trophy high.

A new Ballon d'Or winner was born.

Su Luo had claimed his first trophy, cementing his place as the best player of 2016. But for his fans, they knew this was only the beginning. With his team chasing multiple titles, who knew what heights Su Luo would reach next?

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