Chapter 292 – Special One (2)
292
The 2000s was a time when football was at its peak.
From the 7 princesses of Serie A to the competition in the English Premier League and the confrontation between the world’s most powerful teams in Spain’s La Liga, from outstanding performances and stories that will catch the eyes of the world.
Based on this, the popularity of European football, which succeeded in globalization by riding the wave of globalization, reached its peak with two rivalries, Messi and Ronaldo.
However, when the moon is full, it tends to wane.
The popularity of football, which seemed to last forever, peaked and entered a downward trend.
The 2020s was a time when the popularity of football, which had been growing endlessly, began to decline.
The popularity of European football has been declining steadily, if not noticeably, with the growth of alternative sports, especially e-sports, and the departure of younger generations.
People in the soccer world who felt a sense of crisis tried to overcome the crisis through various attempts at the Super Rigni Conference Rigni, but to no avail.
It was in the 2030s, when Hong Min-joon emerged, that the popularity of soccer, which had subsided little by little, began to rebound.
People in the soccer world realized the unbelievable effect brought about by a player from East Asia, a periphery of the soccer world.
“The key to soccer is the player!”
The idea of how big a player’s influence can be can be seen just by looking at the previous generation, Messi and Ronaldo.
On top of that, Hong Min-joon is overwhelmingly popular with the younger generation, the least popular in soccer, especially among young women.
“After Hong Min-jun was recruited, the number of female audiences in the Bundesliga increased remarkably.”
“The ripple effect through SNS is significant!”
Not only captivating existing soccer fans with his excellent skills, but also attracting female fans through his unique and overwhelming appearance.
Truly, the people in the soccer world captivated the vulnerable class they wanted to target the most, and even received support from existing soccer fans, so there was no such blessing.
And there—
『Hong Min-jun is my only match!』
『Jorge Garcia mentions Hong Min-jun again!!』
Even the rivalry with Jorge Garcia, who is considered the best prospect of the younger generation.
The rivalry, which started with an exchange of 1 win and 1 loss on the stage of the Sydney Olympics, where the first match was held, was expected to become a box office guarantee check as Hong Min-jun settled in Barcelona and Jorge Garcia settled in Real Madrid— Lee seemed to be disintegrating.
However, Hong Min-jun was resurrected like a phoenix.
First of all, Jorge Garcia’s endless comments, who had reached the world’s best player, and Hong Min-jun’s miraculously resurrected performance combined, and the rivalry between the two players, who were evaluated as “Leaning to one side”, Gradually found a balance.
Finally now.
On the day of the 2037 Ballon d’Or ceremony, it reached its climax.
“Yes, this is Lyon, France, where the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony is held. The awards ceremony hall is already full of people. Our Hong Min-joon’s chances of winning the award are being evaluated as higher than ever, right?”
“You’re right. We are recording expert evaluations and fan opinion. This Ballon d’Or, since the era of Messi and Ronaldo, the two players have never been so equal.”
“Okay. Apparently, Hong Min-jun’s opponent is that player, right?”
“Of course. Ballon d’Or three-time winner Jorge Garcia and Hong Min-jun are competing fiercely.”
Jorge Garcia, who shines three consecutive Ballon d’Or titles.
An overwhelming player who has never been out of first place in the Ballon d’Or dividend recently, he has been going back and forth between the first and second place in dividends this year.
“Wouldn’t Hong Min-joon have an advantage? He won the league and topped 40 league goals for the second consecutive year. Overwhelming in his personal record.”
“Even though the Champions League record is disappointing… It’s the same with Jorge. Didn’t Real Madrid also get eliminated in the quarterfinals last year? In addition, I missed the league championship and ended up being irrelevant.”
It’s because of Real Madrid’s sluggishness.
Real Madrid, which was on a winning streak, was a veteran team with an average age well over 30 years old.
It was an experienced and seasoned team, so we were able to win the Champions League and go well, but… On the contrary, the high age group eventually caught on.
The world’s best defender and captain of Real Madrid, Alex Tillian, was out for the season due to an injury at the beginning of the season, and David Nilsson, the nucleus and vice-captain of midfield, was also out for the season.
No matter how Real Madrid is, two key players, especially the captain and vice-captain, were out for the season in succession, and the performance could not help but fall.
In the end, despite the struggles of team ace Jorge Garcia last season, Real Madrid had no choice but to record a disappointing result, finishing in second place in the league and the quarterfinals of the Champions League—the problem was that even Jorge Garcia collapsed in the middle of it.
“This is the Ballon d’Or podium. Jorge Garcia, Minjun Hong, and Leon Maxim.”
“That’s a personal record for three people. Jorge Garcia scored 45 goals and provided 22 assists. Hong Min-jun, 63 goals and 12 assists. Leon Maxim has 34 goals and 13 assists.”
As the team’s performance, individual records, and award details came to mind, the commentators’ mouths became busy.
The Ballon d’Or awards ceremony, which is being broadcast live in real time, as Hong Min-joon has a higher chance of winning than ever.
The awards ceremony finally began while the viewership ratings were skyrocketing as the national interest was focused.
“We announce from the third place. 3rd place — after all, it’s Leon Maxim!”
“Yes. Leon Maxim. He’s a good player. Last season with Dortmund in the Bundesliga, he led the team to the league title and Champions League semi-final. And he moved to Manchester City this year and is off to a good start.”
The gap between 1st and 2nd place was so large that Leon Maxim, who was in 3rd place, which was almost a fait accompli, had a half-sad, half-joyed look on his face.
Then, the faces of the two players come to mind on the left and right of the screen as if to show the competitive composition.
“Ah… Minjun Hong. Was it this cool? You look really, really cool today.”
“The second place is announced. Number two is— ah… !!”
* * *
I did everything I could for today.
The horse scored 40 goals, but he broke the 40-goal mark in the Premier League, which did not exist in the history of the Premier League, following the year before last, and recorded a career high of close to 50 goals.
However, the results of the Champions League were disappointing… Fortunately, Jorge’s Real Madrid also had a good run and only reached the quarterfinals, so the results of the Champions League were tied.
As for team performance, Newcastle, who won the league championship, is in a better situation, so what remains is individual performance… Well, this is the part I was ahead of last year when Jorge won the Ballon d’Or.
Last year, I unfortunately missed the Ballon d’Or, but this year, as long as nothing happens, I will win the Ballon d’Or.
Reflecting this, expert evaluations, public opinion polls, and dividends from gamblers are all slightly ahead. … Although sometimes it’s up and down.
So, without any tension, I sat calmly and watched the second place announcement—
“Second place! Congratulations! Real Madrid’s Jorge Garcia!!”
“This year’s Ballon d’Or winner— Newcastle’s Minjun Hong!! Min-Jun Hong is showing incredible performance for Newcastle—”
Finally, the moment my name was called.
The moment everyone around me stood up and clapped for me.
The moment when flashes flashed everywhere and all camera lenses were pointed at me.
Finally… Finally, this moment when I became a Ballon d’Or winner.
There was only one thought running through my head.
‘Now this scene… It’s a meme that will last a lifetime… !’
No matter how much you win and go well in the future, there will be few memes that are summoned as often as this scene.
If this isn’t the greatest moment of my career, it’s definitely the most talked about moment.
So now all we need is—
‘Status window!!!’
【Technology】
[Skill 92] [Dribble 92] [Traffic 92] [Short Pass 80] [Long Pass 80] [Shot 92] [Free Kick 50] [Header 60] [Tackle 40]
【Mental】
[Vision 70] [Anticipation 70] [Judgment 70] [Concentration 70] [Off the ball 70] [Space Mark 50] [Peace 70] [Leadership 43] [Teamwork 60]
【Body】
[Agility 93] [Acceleration 93] [Balance 93] [Agility 93] [Reaction 93] [Power 80] [Jump 70] [Endurance 80] [Recovery 80]
【Hidden】
[Genius 93] [Charisma 95] [Intelligence 70]
【Height 182.7cm｜75kg】
For the sake of today, for the sake of the present, how madly did you tease your waist at the Olympics?
Right now, I can’t see any other stats that are packed together, and the only thing that catches my eye is— charm.
Receive congratulations from people and take a step forward.
【Hidden】
[Genius 93] [Charism 95 ▶ 96] [Intelligence 70]
Climbing the stairs,
【Hidden】
[Genius 93] [Charism 96 ▶ 97] [Intelligence 70]
On stage to receive the Ballon d’Or trophy and a bouquet of flowers,
【Hidden】
[Genius 93] [Charism 97 ▶ 98] [Intelligence 70]
Approaching the standing microphone for the announcement of the award,
【Hidden】
[Genius 93] [Charism 98 ▶ 99] [Intelligence 70]
I opened my mouth.
【Hidden】
[Genius 93] [Charism 99 ▶ 100] [Intelligence 70]
“Hello-“
[Teeling!]
[Hidden: Achieve 100 Charm!]
[Bonus Special One!]
Yes-?
Perks?
“This is the Special One.”
Ah….