"Twenty-five-year-old Yang Yang will continue to rule world football!"
As early as October last year, AS, which was close to Real Madrid, had boldly announced that there was no suspense over Yang Yang winning the 2011 FIFA Golden Ball Award. In a year without either the World Cup or the European Cup, Yang Yang had won the Double Crown last season and three trophies in the first half of this season. There was simply no suspense over him winning the award.
AS believed that, across world football, Yang Yang could not find a single opponent—not even Messi.
Real Madrid Technical Director Valdano also smiled as he told Marca, "Just like in the past four years, Yang Yang remains the overwhelming favorite this year. I honestly can't think of anyone who can challenge him."
Ronaldo, the former Real Madrid star who was about to present the Golden Ball Award at the FIFA awards ceremony, had also said in an interview with Brazilian media that Yang Yang's victory seemed to be without suspense.
"For now, I don't think the world can find a second player as outstanding as Yang Yang. Even the European bookmakers aren't willing to set odds on this, because they know they're bound to lose money."
Ronaldo also smiled as he recalled his first meeting with Yang Yang and expressed his pride at becoming Yang Yang's idol. He said that twenty-five-year-old Yang Yang was in the golden years of his career.
"To win every major award for five consecutive years would be the greatest achievement in history. This requires not only long-term, consistent performances, but also Yang Yang giving his best in every aspect and achieving results that convince everyone. I'm very happy that he did it—and did it exceptionally well."
Ronaldo said that Real Madrid had performed exceptionally