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The FIFA World Player of the Year ceremony might have had the most star players in attendance in its entire history.

This was also a barometer.

Its standing in everyone's minds was rising significantly.

Talista had barely received an invitation last year, ranking near the bottom.

But this year, he had shot up by half the rankings, reaching twenty-fifth place.

Moric was much the same, rising from the bottom last year to twenty-second, following in Lu Yang's footsteps.

Among the top twenty, Liverpool's Gerando, Chelsea's Redknapp, Atlético Madrid's Dominguez, Bayern Munich's Ludwig, Paris Saint-Germain's Stippelmann, and others were all in attendance.

The only one absent was Manchester United's McLaughlin.

His ranking had fallen sharply again from last year, dropping from top-ten caliber to outside the top fifteen.

If Manchester United showed no improvement this year, his ranking would probably slip into the twenties next time.

The facts proved that McLaughlin was a fierce general, but not Manchester United's chosen one.

Bayern Munich's Apel ranked thirteenth in the FIFA World Player of the Year standings.

Arsenal's Praca was twelfth. Arsenal had truly suffered for it—this was one of the hidden consequences of having neither a marquee star nor an established core player.

They could not hold on to the credit and honors their own players had earned, handing them to other clubs for nothing.

Mateo ranked eleventh, slipping slightly from last year.

But judging by his achievements, even this ranking was somewhat inflated.

That had to do with his dazzling, dribble-heavy style. The way he played was too appealing to fans—and not just ordinary fans, but experts as well!

Arsenal striker Nelka had turned over a new leaf and ranked tenth.

Wasn't this why people said this FIFA World Player of the Year award was more authoritative than the Ballon d'Or?