I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 679: Chapter 92: A Legend Is Born

Switzerland, Zurich

When Guardiola, dressed in a suit, read out the name from the golden envelope at the microphone.

The entire venue erupted in applause, and Guardiola, after a brief moment of surprise, looked down with a beaming smile.

Real Madrid’s coach and players clapped vigorously, and some more energetic ones even whistled. This was the first player in recent years to win the Ballon d’Or while playing for Real Madrid.

Before, whether it was Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Cannavaro, or Kaka, they all joined Real Madrid after winning the Ballon d’Or.

This could be considered breaking a certain ”curse.”

That is, after donning the white robe, there would be no more chances to hold the Ballon d’Or...

No matter what, from the moment Chen Zhong won the Ballon d’Or, he had already become a legendary player for Real Madrid.

Whether it was his staggering 75 goals in 58 appearances in various competitions in a single season, or winning the European Golden Boot, Champions League Golden Boot, League Golden Boot, and King’s Cup Golden Boot as a midfielder, or his rapid rise to prominence at 16 with Real Madrid’s first team and becoming the world’s highest-paid player, all these feats were enough to etch him into the history of Real Madrid and make him an unforgettable name in world football of this era.

The applause thundered, and people turned their eyes to Chen Zhong sitting in the front row.

Next to Chen Zhong, Xavi and Iniesta couldn’t hide their disappointment, but they quickly adjusted their expressions and extended their congratulations to Chen Zhong.

”Congratulations.”

”Thank you.” Chen Zhong embraced Iniesta and Xavi, then adjusted his black suit and, after acknowledging the cheering crowd around him, confidently walked onto the stage.

Guardiola looked at Chen Zhong, stepped forward, and embraced him with one arm, then whispered in Chen Zhong’s ear, ”Congratulations, you had a perfect season.”

”This is also a tremendous success.”

”Everything you have done is far-reaching.”

”Thank you.” Chen Zhong also embraced Guardiola. Although they had some unpleasant encounters regarding Cristiano Ronaldo in the last national Derby, Guardiola still admired Chen Zhong greatly. Chen Zhong also respected the coach who led Barcelona to a sextuple.

Chen Zhong took the Ballon d’Or and, under the watchful eyes of everyone, looked at the trophy in his hand, finally revealing a smile on his face.

In the audience, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, and other players focused their attention on Chen Zhong. They had all won the Ballon d’Or before, but who would mind having more at home?

Chen Zhong stood in front of the microphone, first bringing the Ballon d’Or to his lips and kissing it lightly, then took a deep breath and addressed the audience and the cameras: ”Good evening, everyone.”

”I feel very proud to have won the Ballon d’Or.”

”Last season, I scored 75 goals. It’s an insane number. If at the beginning of the season, someone told me I’d score that many goals, I would’ve thought they were crazy.”

”But... it happened just like that.”

There were good-natured laughs from the crowd, and of course, some not so good-natured ones too.

Last season, there were some controversies over Chen Zhong’s goals, or rather, some aspects were excessive. He ”racked up” too many goals against some weaker teams and in some inconsequential matches.

However, those controversies no longer mattered because the Ballon d’Or in Chen Zhong’s hand said it all.

Even though some people were still unconvinced, believing that with zero goals in the World Cup and no Champions League title with the club in a World Cup year, how could Chen Zhong still win the Ballon d’Or?

However, his single-season tally of 75 goals, a double winner, four golden boots, and even his age became powerful weapons for his supporters.

On stage, Chen Zhong was elegant and once again changed people’s perception of Asian players as ”reserved.” His laughter was hearty, revealing a set of white teeth, as he continued, ”I am satisfied with my work last season, but I think I’m still young and have room for improvement.”

”I’m very happy to receive this award. I want to thank everyone, my coach, my teammates.”

”And my president (Florentino), he’s like family to me, taking great care of me, even coming to the dormitory to talk with me personally.”

”When I left the Bernabeu, I never thought I could return so quickly, but he had great faith in me, showed sincerity, and told me that I could earn a higher salary as long as I delivered the performance to match.”

”He didn’t think my age was an issue, and he’s always supported me.”

In the audience, Florentino smiled like a flower, his eyes squinting to mere slits.

His mouth curled up, as if an invisible fishhook had lifted it.

Good boy, good boy indeed!

People once criticized my ”Zidane + Pavin” policy as a failure, but now?

An Asian player from China not only won the Ballon d’Or but became the core of the team, an absolute mainstay, and at such a young age, surpassed Ronaldo to become the youngest Ballon d’Or winner ever.

Florentino looked at Chen Zhong.

This will be the most successful ”work” of my tenure at Real Madrid, the most outstanding ”work”!