World Footballer of the Year Must Be Won!

The highly anticipated Champions League Final was about to begin, and the eyes of the entire world were focused on Rome, Italy.

This clash between Liverpool and Barcelona, this showdown between Yang Yang and Messi, the two greatest superstars in European Football, had not only sent media reporters and fans around the world into a frenzy, but had also prompted all the major bookmakers to set their odds.

After overturning Chelsea and defeating Manchester United twice, Liverpool had returned as the favorite to win the Champions League Final.

Interestingly, Barcelona was no less favored. Having already won La Liga and the Copa del Rey this season, Barcelona was also a major favorite.

According to the odds offered by bookmakers including William Hill and Bet365, the two teams were completely even. It truly was a battle between evenly matched sides, with neither able to gain an advantage over the other.

In Asia, however, Yang Yang's Liverpool held a slight edge, reflecting Yang Yang's popularity in the region.

Ladbrokes had also released odds for the first goalscorer. Yang Yang was the undisputed favorite. Almost everyone was highly confident in the super striker, who had won the European Golden Boot Award for two consecutive seasons, with Messi close behind.

Unlike the bookmakers, former stars from England and Spain had also begun publicly taking sides.

Spain's current Head Coach, Bosque, had written a column for a newspaper, stating that he knew Barcelona very well and believed that if Guardiola's team performed normally, it would definitely defeat Liverpool and win.

"I think Guardiola should have the team play closer together and try to avoid pulling their two wings too far apart."

Bosque also expressed his concern, because Liverpool was one of the top teams in European Football as well.

"In my eyes, Benitez is