The award ceremony at Pardo Palace was nothing like other ceremonies, where everything was made into a grand spectacle. On the contrary, the proceedings here were very simple. All the winners and guests in attendance stood along one side of the venue's corridor.
Queen Sofia and the members of the Royal Family, along with the senior organizers, stood in the center, flanking the row of trophies.
The media reporters stood opposite the winners and guests, with the red carpet between them.
Whenever a winner's name was called, they would step out of the crowd and walk to the row of trophies. The presenter would also come over, take out the trophy, and present it to them while accepting photographs from the media reporters opposite them.
Perhaps, for this award, the most significant aspects were the venue and the presenter.
This was Spain's most prestigious national sports award, and it was being presented in person by the Princess of Spain. Its importance was obvious.
Twelve of the fourteen awards were presented in quick succession, leaving the final two—the two that also carried the most suspense.
The Best Iberian-American Athlete Award belonged to Messi, while the Special Outstanding Contribution Award belonged to Yang Yang. So who would receive the final grand prize?
"Next, we'll begin the next segment."
With that announcement from the ceremony's host, everyone's attention was drawn to him.
Yang Yang stood in the second row of the crowd. In front of him were Di Stéfano, the honorary chairman of Real Madrid, who was seated in a wheelchair, and Florentino.
After hearing the host's words, Florentino deliberately turned around and glanced at Yang Yang, smiling faintly.
"Don't be nervous. It'll be fine," the Real Madrid chairman said.
The abrupt, contextless remark left Yang Yang puzzled, but he quickly figured it