"I hereby solemnly announce that the player who has won the 2010 FIFA Golden Ball Award is..."
The moment Guardiola opened the golden envelope and saw the name inside, his expression became somewhat unnatural. But as a former legendary superstar and the most successful head coach in world football today, he was exceptionally skilled at concealing his emotions.
That ability allowed him to suppress the myriad feelings in his heart and call out the above sentence in an even tone.
Nearly everyone at the venue held their breath. The live broadcast used a montage, simultaneously focusing on the three finalists—Iniesta, Messi, and Yang Yang—and presenting their expressions and reactions to the world.
Iniesta and Messi were both extremely nervous because this was the first time either of them had come so close to the award.
Yang Yang appeared somewhat more composed, but he was clearly carrying a trace of expectation as well, looking more as though he was deliberately putting on a relaxed front.
Everyone was filled with doubt. Who would it be?
Iniesta? Messi? Or Yang Yang?
The eyes of the entire world instantly focused on Guardiola, on the card he held aloft after pulling it from the golden envelope. Everyone wished they could see through the paper and glimpse the name written on it.
Fortunately, Guardiola paused only briefly before quickly calling out the name that made him look unnatural.
"...Yang Yang!!!"
Yang Yang!!!
The entire Zurich Opera House fell so silent that only Guardiola's echo remained.
The instant Yang Yang heard his name, he sprang up from his seat. His hands clenched into excited fists, and then he turned and pulled Su Ye into a tight embrace, kissing her hard.
Only then did thunderous applause erupt throughout the venue.
The fourth year!
This was already the fourth