Ballon d'Or controversy, each to their own interests! A hereditary reign at the Club World Cup!
The dispute over the order of names was like a spark that instantly ignited the powder keg between Premier League and La Liga that was already ready to go.
Because Premier League needs Ballon d'Or, they believe that the winner of Ballon d'Or must play in the world's largest league. This is the real match.
And La Liga also needs Ballon d'Or players to bring attention to the league all year round, so that La Liga will have more viewers.
Therefore, the competition for this trophy is no longer just between Zhang Kuang, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
That night, the front page of "Manchester Evening News" opened fire. "The data speaks for itself: 105 goals vs. 59 goals, who is more worthy of Ballon d'Or?"
The article uses a full half page to list Zhang Kuang's data in the 2010-11 season: 105 goals in all competitions.
And won a total of: Premier League championship, UEFA Champions League championship, Football Association Cup championship, Community Shield championship, Europe Super Cup champion, five trophies. And Messi, 59 goals, La Liga champion, UEFA Champions League runner-up, Copa del Rey champion.
Once the information of these two people is laid out, there is no need to talk. If we only talk about the information within the natural year, Zhang Kuang is also crushing.
Columnist David·Mick wrote in the article, "If such information cannot win Ballon d'Or, then this award might as well be renamed the 'Art Football Contribution Award'."
"The Times"'s comment was even more pointed. "FIFA seems to be implying that goals and championships are not the only criteria for awarding awards.
So, what is the standard? Is it the number of dribbles? Is it the passing success rate? Or... some kind of Europe China's natural preference for South America football?"
Manchester United celebrity Gary·Neville said bluntly in Sky Sports's program, "I love Messi, he is a genius. But if you ask me who should win Ballon d'Or this year, I will say without hesitation: Zhang Kuang."
105 goals and five trophies in a single game, this is not 'one', this is 'the only one'. If you can't get Ballon d'Or even with this, then Ballon d'Or is saying to yourself: 'I can change my standards at any time.'"
At the same time, an anonymous official from the English Football Association said in an interview with "Daily Mail": "The Premier League League is currently the most competitive and highest-rated league in the world. The performance of Zhang Kuang has made fans all over the world turn their attention to Premier League.
If Ballon d'Or is ultimately awarded to a person with far inferior information, it will be a harm to football and football-related commercial value and brand image."
This is said euphemistically, but everyone can understand the subtext behind it: Zhang Kuang wins the award, and football benefits. Zhang Kuang loses, and football suffers.
The better football is, the more Europe will benefit, because football brings 40 billion euros of direct income to Europe every year, and the indirect income must be multiplied by 10, which is a related economic contribution of 400 billion euros.
In other words, football is already one of the main industries supporting Europe, even more than some old industries.
These words may not be understood by outsiders, but people who work in football can understand them. Europe Football is a career that must never be allowed to collapse.
As for Spain, the media is not idle either.
The front page title of "Mundo Deportivo" on December 6 was. "The value of beautiful football: Messi, more than just goals."
The article quoted Barcelona coach Guardiola's recent interview. "Messi's contribution to football cannot be measured by numbers. He made football better and more pure."
Every time he gets the ball, he is creating space, creating opportunities, and creating art. Ballon d'Or should be awarded to such a player. He not only scores goals, he also makes football more attractive."
"Sport" wrote more directly, "105 goals in a single season is certainly remarkable, but football is not a numbers game.
If we only look at goals, then we should change Ballon d'Or to the 'top scorer award'. Zhang Kuang is a great finisher, but Messi is a great creator. The difference between the two is what Ballon d'Or should distinguish."
A commentator in the Catalonia area even threw a sentence on the radio program that caused huge controversy. "Zhang Kuang's football is 'football of results', and Messi's football is 'football of process'. The former makes the scoreboard change, and the latter makes football itself great."
These remarks were quickly reproduced by the United Kingdom media and triggered a war of words on social media.
Someone commented. "So the one who scores more goals is not as good as the one who passes the most? Then Ballon d'Or will just award it to the midfielder from now on."
Others retorted, "Messi's dribbling and passing are the pinnacle of football art. Zhang Kuang has scored many goals, but his playing style is too direct and lacks beauty."
Someone else said, "Aesthetic? Winning is the most beautiful aesthetic. If you put Messi on Manchester United, can he score 105 goals?"
"..."
Cristiano Ronaldo was blocked by reporters at the entrance of the Real Madrid training base on December 7.
The reporter asked him, "Cristiano, what do you think of this year's Ballon d'Or three-person list? Who do you think is more qualified to win the award?"
Cristiano Ronaldo stood still, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said calmly, "Zhang Kuang is a genuine top shooter, and his hunger for championships is the highest I have ever seen.
I hope that one day I can score goals as efficiently as he does in every game, and I am working hard in this direction. If you ask me who is more worthy of Ballon d'Or... I think the information does not lie."
As soon as these words came out, the reporters were so excited that they almost threw the recorder into Cristiano Ronaldo's face.
"Real Madrid 7 publicly recognizes Manchester United 33?"
"Marca" then reported this interview with the title 'Cristiano Ronaldo: Zhang Kuang is more worthy of Ballon d'Or than me'. Although Cristiano Ronaldo's original words are not so absolute, such a title is obviously more eye-catching.
The comment section on Spain was a mess:
"Cristiano Ronaldo is showing his favor to Zhang Kuang? Does he want to go to Manchester United?"
"Or is it that Cristiano Ronaldo's resentment towards Messi is so great that he is willing to support anyone who can defeat Messi?"
"Cristiano Ronaldo sincerely recognizes the strength of Zhang Kuang. After all, they are the same type of players, and they rely on scoring goals."
"I can't accept Cristiano Ronaldo saying such things. As a La Liga player, he has to fight for La Liga's right to speak. Even if what he said is the truth, these words should not be said by him. He can remain silent and not speak."
"Yes, he shouldn't speak, it will only hurt the hearts of La Liga fans."
"..."
The controversy continues to heat up, but Zhang Kuang, who is at the center of the whirlpool, is practicing shooting perfunctoryly while Carrington Training Ground is doing it. Manchester United has no time to stop and participate in this debate.
On December 7th, Switzerland, St. Jakob-Park Stadium, UEFA Champions League C group 6th round, Basel played against Manchester United at home.
The outcome of this game is irrelevant to Manchester United. They have already secured first place in the group in advance.
But for Zhang Kuang, every goal scored by UEFA Champions League is very important. These are all Qi and Blood Points.
Therefore, after the game started, he worked hard to attack.
In the 11th minute, Carrick intercepted the ball in the midfield and sent a long pass over the top. Zhang Kuang successfully countered offside. After stopping the ball on the right side of the penalty area, he volleyed the ball. The ball flew against the lower edge of the crossbar and into the net. 1:0.
In the 28th minute, Ashley Young made a pass from the left. Zhang Kuang grabbed the point in front of the goal and hit the header into the far corner under the attack of two defenders. 2:0.
In the 44th minute, Rooney was tripped at the top of the penalty area and Manchester United got a free kick.
Zhang Kuang took the penalty, the ball bypassed the wall, drew an inner arc and penetrated into the lower right corner of the goal. 3:0.
Hat trick, half time.
In the 57th minute of the second half, Hernández received a pass from Giggs and shot from a small angle to score, 4:0.
In the 73rd minute, Rooney hit the defensive player with a long shot from outside the penalty area and changed the line into the net, 5:0.
Basel saved some face by scoring a long shot from Stocker in the 81st minute.
In the end, Manchester United defeated Basel 5:1 in an away game. UEFA Champions League won all six games in the group stage and advanced to the top 16.
After the game, UEFA official statistics showed that Zhang Kuang scored 15 goals and 5 assists in 6 UEFA Champions League group stage matches, rearranging the UEFA Champions League group stage scoring record.
At this point in 2011, Zhang Kuang's 15 goals was a jaw-dropping number.
"He can beat a team by himself." Commentator Martin of Sky Sports said in the post-match summary.
--
Three days later, on December 10, Premier League played in the 15th round, Old Trafford, Manchester United played against Wolverhampton Wanderers at home.
Ferguson is not rotated.
He sent out his full lineup, obviously not wanting to make any more mistakes in the league.
In the 17th minute, Rooney and Hernández changed positions, and then sent a through ball at the front of the penalty area. Zhang Kuang crossed the ball from the left side, faced the attacking goalkeeper, and scored with a light shot.
1:0.
In the 34th minute, Hernández was brought down outside the penalty area and the referee awarded a free kick.
Zhang Kuang took the penalty shot and hit the lower left corner.
2:0.
In the 56th minute, Hernández received a pass from Ashley Young from the right and scored with a header.
3:0.
In the 68th minute, Wolverhampton Wanderers pulled a goal back with a supplementary shot from Doyle in the melee, 3:1.
But just three minutes later, Ashley Young received a cross from Carrick from outside the penalty area and shot a curved ball into the far corner. The ball hit the dead center.
4:1.
At the end of the game, Manchester United defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 4:1 at home.
After the game, the Manchester United team did not return to their respective residences, but rushed directly to Manchester Airport. A charter plane was already waiting on the runway.
They have to fly to Japan Yokohama overnight to participate in the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup.
In the Old Trafford locker room, Ferguson said in a brief speech after the game, "I know some of you are still missing the style of Japan in the summer. A beautiful encounter in the street of love, but this time we are not traveling to Japan, FIFA Club World Cup is the title of world champion, and I want to bring it back to Manchester."
After Ferguson issued the instruction to get FIFA Club World Cup, all the players were extremely excited. Yes, now only the champion can stimulate them and make them excited.
On December 15th, Yokohama International Stadium, FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals, Manchester United versus AFC Champions League champion: Al Sadd of Qatar.
This is a showdown with great disparity in strength.
Although Al Sadd performed well in the Asia competition, facing Europe champion Manchester United, their defense seemed inadequate from the beginning.
Ferguson told Zhang Kuang before the game, "You will only play for 45 minutes and rest in the second half."
In the 9th minute, Zhang Kuang received a diagonal pass from Giggs on the left side of the penalty area. After stopping the ball, he moved horizontally, got out of the way, and shot into the far corner.
The ball drew an internal arc and penetrated into the net, 1:0.
In the 31st minute, Carrick made a long pass from midfield. Zhang Kuang stopped the ball on his chest and broke into the penalty area. Facing the attacking goalkeeper, he pushed the ball through the crotch and scored, 2:0.
At the end of the half, Zhang Kuang was replaced.
Hernández comes on as a substitute.
In the second half, Manchester United still maintained strong offensive firepower. In the 54th minute, Rooney received a cross from Carrick at the top of the penalty area and pushed the goal with one kick, 3:0.
In the 67th minute, Hernández received a pass from Ashley Young from the left and hit the header into the net, 4:0.
In the 82nd minute, Ashley Young's long shot from outside the penalty area hit the defensive player and went into the net, 5:0.
In the end, Manchester United swept Al Sadd 5:0 and advanced to the FIFA Club World Cup finals.
In the mixed interview area after the game, reporters asked Ferguson:
"Sir Alex, the opponent in the final is Santos. They have Neymar, Ganso, and Robinho. What do you think?"
Ferguson paused, with an imperceptible smile on his lips, "Yes, Brazil has a bunch of geniuses. Although they have geniuses, we have the world's number one genius: Zhang Kuang.
I'm looking forward to this game, and I also want to see the talent of Brazil. Maybe the Manchester United team needs a few Brazil talents."
Ferguson's statement made some players in the Santos team secretly excited and wanted to perform well in the next game.
After all, all their efforts are to go to the giants of the five major leagues to earn sky-high salaries. This is their ultimate goal in life.
They are particularly envious of Zhang Kuang, who has a weekly salary of two to three hundred thousand pounds, as well as sky-high endorsement fees and various commercial incomes, making tens of millions of dollars a year.
Who wouldn't want such star benefits?
And Manchester United, this is the hottest club in the world right now, which player wouldn't want to join?
Indeed, Barcelona is also a dream place for Brazil players, but Manchester United is also quite good.
December 18th is the final day for Yokohama International Stadium and FIFA Club World Cup.
This stadium, which can accommodate 72,327 people, was already packed in the evening.
The red Manchester United fans and the white Santos fans intertwined into a spectacular display of colors in the stands, and the most eye-catching one was a huge red banner on the east stand, which read in Chinese characters: Zhang Kuang, Spear of the East!
Under the banner, a group of China international students were waving the five-star red flag and the Hong Kong special zone flag, and their songs were singing in the night wind.
Zhang Kuang was a little confused when he saw this banner during on-field training before the game. Why did he get the nickname 'Spear of the East' again?
This sounds murderous, but it lacks domineering power.
No matter what, it needs to be called a domineering name like 'The Best Sword in the World', right?
At 6:30 in the evening, players from both sides began to line up in the tunnel.
In the passage, Zhang Kuang stood in the middle of the team. In front of him was the captain Vidić, and behind him was Rooney.
Over at Santos, Neymar was at the front of the queue. The young genius Brazil had a hint of nervousness on his face, but more of it was excitement.
The head referee Irmatov checked the equipment of both players and after confirming that it was correct, he looked back at the fourth official Yuichi Nishimura and nodded.
The entrance music started. Vidić took the first step, followed closely by Zhang Kuang, and the whole team of Manchester United entered the stadium.
At that moment, the cheers of 70,000 people came from all directions like a tsunami.
The light shines on the lawn, and the turf glows like emerald under the night light.
In Sky Sports's live broadcast room, Martin·Tyler and Gary·Neville are already in place.
Martin·Tyler: "Welcome to the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup finals, we are bringing you the live broadcast at Japan Yokohama International Stadium.
Manchester United vs. Santos, Europe champion vs. South America champion. Gary, what do you think of this matchup?"
Gary·Neville: "I think Manchester United is stronger overall, but Santos has a few players who are very dangerous.
Neymar, of course, Ganso, Robinho are also very experienced. The key is whether Manchester United's midfielder can control the rhythm and not let Santos fight."
Martin·Tyler: "Zhang Kuang's performance today is crucial. He has scored two goals in this year's FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals and is in hot form.
If he scores another goal today, he will become the player with the most goals in a single term in the history of FIFA Club World Cup."
Gary·Neville: "I think he will enter. Look at his expression when he warms up: he is not nervous, but focused. I am too familiar with that expression. It is the look of a hunter when he is locking his prey."
In CCTV's live broadcast room, He Wei and Zhang Lu are also giving simultaneous commentary.
He Wei:"China Central Television, China Central Television, what you are watching now is 2011 FIFA Live broadcast of FIFA Club World Cup finals, Manchester United versus Santos. I am He Wei, and I am guided by Zhang Lu."
Zhang Lu: "Hey, this game is very interesting. Manchester United is the Europe champion, Santos is the South America champion. The styles of the two sides are completely different. Manchester United is more direct and impactful. Santos pays more attention to footwork and the display of personal talents. But the most important thing is to see who can break the deadlock first."
He Wei: "The players from both sides have lined up on the field, and the national anthem ceremony has just ended. Let's take a look at the starting lineups of both sides.
Manchester United has a 4-3-3 formation today: goalkeeper De Gea, defense Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidić, Evra. Midfielders Carrick, Giggs, Ashley Young. On the forward line, Zhang Kuang is on the left, Rooney is on the right, and Hernández is in the middle."
Zhang Lu: "Hey, everyone is familiar with this arrangement. Although this formation is nothing new for Manchester United, the more mature the formation, the more powerful it is.
This formation has strong offensive power, but the defensive pressure on the wing will be greater. Neymar is on the left of Santos, just opposite Rafael. Rafael will be busy today."
He Wei: "Santos's side also has a 4-3-3 formation: goalkeeper Rafael·Cabral, defense line Danilo, Edu·Dela Sena, Bruno·Rodrigo, Léo.
Midfielder Arouca, Ganso, Enrique. Front trident: Neymar, Borges, Robinho. This attacking combination looks very gorgeous on paper."
Zhang Lu: "Hey, Santos's offensive line is indeed beautiful, but their problem lies in the defensive strength of the midfield and backcourt.
Neither Bruno Rodrigo nor Edu De La Sena are particularly tough defenders. Facing the speed of Zhang Kuang and the impact of Rooney, they will be under great pressure."