Chapter 239 – Ballon d’Or Podium (2)
239
The second half of 2035 was indeed the year of Hong Min-joon.
“Squall! Frankfurt, who lifted the Europa League championship as a promoted team!』
『Bundesliga, Europa League, even the World Cup! Hong Min-jun, who achieved the truffle scorer』
『The World Cup became a showcase for Minjun Hong!』
『The number one Korean transfer fee ever! Hong Min-joon headed to Newcastle with a record of 100 million euros!』
From the end of the last season to before the start of the new season.
The season’s settlement, the world-class event that football fans have been waiting for, and even the transfer market are burning with Hong Min-joon.
『The Conqueror of Germany Lands in England』
『Hong Min-jun, who has settled down in the EPL with a higher level of performance』
『Overwhelming ability that even Liverpool cannot stop!』
As if to dispel concerns, as soon as the season started, he thrilled fans with his overwhelming performance.
『Shock reversal! The double life of a young sports star?
『Hong Min-joon’s splendid women’s career revealed』
『Continuing revelation! How far is the end of the curtain?』
『Hong Min-joon, who officially declared ‘Octopus Legs’. What is the public opinion’s reaction?
『What is the identity of the representative handsome women of the soccer world who have been veiled?』
The scandal of Hong Min-joon, a world-class sports star beyond Korea, showed tremendous explosive power as much as its popularity, and by the time the momentum died down, another firewood was poured out—
『2034 Ballon d’Or 30 Candidate Announcement』
『Hong Min-joon, who performed terrifyingly, was nominated for the Ballon d’Or』
『Let’s find out the possibility of Asia’s first Ballon d’Or winner』
It was the Ballon d’Or.
『Finally, the final list of candidates is announced!』
『(Official) Ballon d’Or nominees Jorge Garcia, Gabriel Mendy, Hong Min-jun』
『Emergency of 10 year olds! Why are all three finalists born in their teens?”
『What is Hong Min-joon’s chance of winning? Experts reveal that Asia’s first Ballon d’Or winner has the highest possibility ever
『Hong Min-jun cheering phrase posted on Frankfurt’s official SNS』
『Hong Min-jun’s new colleague, Jose Gaya, posted a meaningful message on social media on the day of the Ballon d’Or final nomination announcement… ‘Hong, when are you coming?’ What does it mean?』
『Analysis of the winning potential of the three finalists』
-Wow… He’s real
—What is it? Is there really a ballon d’or player coming out of Korea?
—AhhahaHe has the potential to become Asia’s first award winnerhaha
—But what is Jose Gaya? Why do you suddenly post strange social media on the evening of the list announcement day? What’s up with you two?
—Seongji Reservation) Hong Min-joon Ballon d’Ortam
—It would be nice to ride, but the opponent is so competitive that it seems realistically difficult;
* * *
The date of announcement of the three finalists for Ballon d’Or was November 4, and the award date was November 15, about 11 days apart.
And since November 8th to November 14th, between November 8th and November 14th, were designated as A-match days, the European leagues went into a short break, and since there were no league matches, the interest of soccer fans naturally headed to A-matches and Ballon d’Or.
Ballon d’Or
Ballon d’Or, which means ‘Golden Ball’ in French, was founded in 1956 by the French football magazine ‘French Football’ and has since established itself as the highest honor in the football world.
As the name suggests, this trophy in the shape of a golden ball, which has literally become synonymous with the highest award an individual player can receive, is ranked through a vote by carefully selected football journalists.
Starting with England’s Stanley Matthews, Alfredo Di Stefano, Eusebio, Bobby Charlton, George Best, Gerd Muller, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi.
It was only in 2007 that this historic golden ball, which boasts a list of outstanding awards that any soccer person would have heard of, was opened to Asian players.
It had a long history of about 80 years, but it was expanded to include soccer players around the world in 2007 and later, it was often listed on the 30-man list announced from 2008, showing the potential of Asian soccer.
However, in a strict sense, the 30 candidates are not enough to be truly Ballon d’Or contenders.
The Asian soccer world used to go wild just by being listed on the list, but in the end, the only real Ballon d’Or contenders were the three finalists, the Ballon d’Or podium.
A podium means a platform to stand on for a speech, but here it means a podium.
In other words, the Ballon d’Or podium refers to the three most outstanding players in the football world that year, and the players who were named here are truly ‘world class’.
Hong Min-joon was listed in such a place, and as the award date approached, attention from all over the world, including Korea, was focused on whether or not Hong Min-joon would receive the award.
As soon as he was released from the A match call, he had to fly straight to Paris, France.
The very next day, November 15, was the Ballon d’Or ceremony day, so there was no time to delay.
This year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held at the Théâtre du Châtelet located in Paris, France, where Ballon d’Or awards have often been held before.
According to Harin and Daye’s schedule in Paris, they rested well at the hotel that day, and woke up at dawn the next day to receive styling.
It was me, Harin, and Daye that the veteran staff recruited from Korea showed off their fashion from head to toe.
“Are you really going to be okay? You don’t even have to show it in a place like this… “
“Since this is a place, let’s go together. I’m tired of the media calling me my girlfriend and being strict with it. We’ve already revealed everything, so let’s go around proudly now.”
There is no way to hide the rising beauty of Harin and Daye, who even have awkward expressions.
In front of the Charlelist Theater, which was crowded with people, when I got off holding the hands of Harin and Dahye on both sides, the reporters rushed in unison and stopped.
“Yeah~ As expected, Minjun Hong. The aura is very… Uh But what about the two women on either side?”
“The one on the right is an agent. An agent of Hong who is famous for that young beauty.”
“Then what about the left?”
“Well… Ah! Did you say personal trainer? She’s the woman who drew attention when Hong’s physical abilities improved beyond measure.”
There was a moment of buzz, and soon after, the camera shutter started to go off like crazy and flash here and there to the extent that it was hard to open one’s eyes.
“Minjoon Hong! This time, you are on the podium for the first time in the history of an Asian player. What do you think your chances of becoming a winner are?”
“Who do you think your biggest competitor is!”
“It seems too close to be an agent and a trainer, but what kind of company is it!”
Hong Min-joon, who was barely passing through the reporters who were scrambling to stick their microphones in front of them, stopped abruptly and smiled faintly.
“These are my girlfriends.”
“… What?”
“T, it’s a scoop!!”
* * *
Ballon d’Or awards ceremony broadcast live from a gorgeous indoor theater.
Numerous Koreans were watching the live broadcast of Ballon d’Or, which had been watched by a small number of people, especially those who were very into soccer.
“Yes, this is in front of the Charles Theater in Paris, France, where the Ballon d’Or ceremony is currently being held. After entering the final list of players, the awards ceremony has just begun. Will Hong Min-joon be the first in Korea and the first in Asia to be honored with the Ballon d’Or winner?
It is even relayed by a terrestrial broadcasting station, so it is clear how much Korea is interested in Ballon d’Or.
The funny thing is, not only in Korea, but also in Japan and China, a special relay broadcast was organized, and they were paying attention to whether or not Hong Min-joon won the award.
“Ee— As an Asian, I sincerely wish for Asia’s pride, Asia’s jewel, Hong Min-joon to win the Ballon d’Or. Eh again, then move the screen to the awards ceremony—”
“In fact, it turns out that Minjun Hong’s ancestors are from Shandong. So… Hong Min-jun is the descendant of our Chinese people who passed over from Shandong~ Looking at it, after all, Hong Min-jun’s Ballon d’Or is also the pride of Chinese people in a big way~”
The switched screen, Hong Min-joon, who has been decorated to the fullest, is captured on the screen.
“Eh!! Great handsomeness!! Indeed, Korea, the country of handsome men!! Hong Sang’s appearance is unparalleled, and it can be said that he is one of the best in the world!”
Then, on the screen moving away, I saw two women sitting next to me.
“According to a scoop, the women on both sides are said to be Hong Min-jun’s agent, personal trainer, and girlfriend. The veiled girlfriend is finally being revealed!”
“A really good pair… No, three… No see.”
Hong Min-joon, who was sitting in the middle, suddenly leaned over and laughed and chatted with the player next to him. Finally, a great legend, Lionel Messi, who won the most awards at 7 Ballon d’Or, appeared for the presentation of the awards ceremony.
Everyone in the audience stands up and claps at the appearance of the legend among legends, and Messi, who has become much more generous than during his active career, stands in front of the microphone with a relaxed smile.
—Wow, it’s been a while.
—The latte was Menaldo… I really miss you
—Looks like he’s grown uphahaHe looks like Maradonahaha
—Look at the old men selling memorieshahaI was so excited I was so excited
—Who is that chubby kid?
If you don’t know Messi, why watch soccer?
Look at football!
B? Then why are you watching this?
ㄴI came to see the princeㅇ_ㅇ?
You…….
—Is it true that Messi lowered his mic first? The overwhelming proportions that I haven’t felt in a long time make my heart feel magnificent…
—Finally announced!! Please!! Please~!!!!!