I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 675 - 90: Football World

The Golden Ball award ceremony is about to begin, and many football columns are starting to broadcast related news and programs.Domestically, the most popular is probably "Football World" and its coverage of the Golden Ball journey.

This time, "Football World" has attracted many local fans because this year’s Golden Ball award might produce the first Asian European Golden Ball winner, with Chen Zhong setting an "apex record" for Asian players.

"Hello, dear viewers!"

"This is the Football World column."

"There are only three hours left until the final Golden Ball results are revealed."

"Staff and players from Barcelona and Real Madrid have already headed to Zurich."

...

Following the host’s words, domestic fans and even non-fans are eagerly discussing these matters. The difference lies in that fans watching the games discuss and analyze them with logic and reasoning, while some who are just there for the spectacle might simply ask questions like whether Chen Zhong will win the Golden Ball.

Although many believe that based on Chen Zhong’s performance, his chances of winning the Golden Ball are high, the World Cup year and the curse of World Cup champion members winning the award have always loomed over people’s minds.

The Football World column has analyzed the possibilities of winning.

"Any individual award inevitably sparks controversy, meaning no winner can receive unanimous support, whether from fans, players, or journalists."

"The Golden Ball is no exception; every year’s voting results cannot escape subjective judgment from everyone."

"Recently, Spain’s Marca summarized 20 absolute superstars in football history who missed out on the Golden Ball."

"Marca wrote: Many players who deserved to win the Golden Ball did not get their wishes fulfilled throughout history. They were talented, world-renowned players but did not receive final recognition."

"Recently, whether it’s Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, or Chen Zhong, if they miss winning, they’ll become new examples."

This Golden Ball award might see a scenario where Barcelona tries to besiege Real Madrid but Real Madrid ends up taking the "crown."

After all, among the top three Golden Ball candidates, two are from Barcelona.

But regardless of who among them.

Xavi, Iniesta, with their club performances and national team honors, could have had great chances to claim the Golden Ball in other years, given that in a World Cup year, champions members almost, without exception, win the Golden Ball.

Similarly, Chen Zhong’s performance, had it been outside a World Cup year, would have almost certainly made him the Golden Ball winner.

But this year happens to be a World Cup year.

"They all have outstanding performances."

"And this time in the Golden Ball selection, an Asian player has rarely appeared."

"That’s our country’s excellent football player Chen Zhong."

"He’s regarded as the Asian light, the King of Chinese Football."

"He’s also changed the stereotype about Asian players in world football."

"We are fortunate he was born in this era because before 1995, this award was only given to European players."

"But at the same time, feel for his luck, competing against two World Cup champion players for this award in the World Cup year."

"Some miss the ’Golden Ball’ due to bad luck, and for others, it’s because of the dilemma of ’either having heroes, but not simultaneously.’"

"Here are the 20 absolute superstars who missed out on the Golden Ball. Let’s take a look back."

...

Even such a list has its controversies, and among these 20 players, many are dearly-loved by domestic fans.

Among them was Raul, who once hosted Chen Zhong, allowing him to score his first league goal, the Lord of the Rings of Real Madrid, a former banner at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. During his time at Real Madrid, almost all Spanish believed that Raul not winning the Golden Ball was very unfair.

For many years, Raul was a candidate for the award, with the loudest calls in 2001.

But in that year’s selection, England forward Owen ranked first, and Raul second.

That season, Raul won the La Liga top scorer with 24 goals, and the Champions League top scorer with 7 goals, meanwhile chosen as UEFA’s best forward of the year and received the "Bronze Boot."

Besides Raul, Real Madrid also had Hento and Butragueño. Hento was a hero of Real Madrid’s five consecutive Champions Cup victories, winning six European Champions Cups during his time but never received the recognition like his teammate Di Stefano in world football.

In more than 400 appearances for Real Madrid, Hento scored 128 goals.

Based on the situation back then, it was challenging for Hento to win the "Golden Ball," but he should at least have appeared on the podium.

But he never even got that "chance."

Butragueño is considered a legendary Real Madrid player and one of the best scorers in Spanish football history.

He indeed made it to the podium two years in a row, but they were only for Silver Ball awards.

As one of the famous "Real Madrid Five Eagles," he wrote history wearing the white jersey.

The only thing probably missing is international tournament honors, which many fans see as Chen Zhong’s shortcoming.

Although the Golden Ball hasn’t officially started, some "pessimistic" Real Madrid fans have overnight composed "eulogies" for Chen Zhong’s possible loss, yet most Real Madrid fans remain optimistic.