In BBC Sport's online voting, "Do you agree that Zhang Kuang won Ballon d'Or?"
More than 78% of fans chose 'agree', and 22% chose 'disapprove'.
In the comment area, voices of support and opposition intertwined:
"Zhang Kuang is the most terrifying striker in history, no one. If he doesn't win Ballon d'Or, who will? Some people say that Messi plays better, so let Messi win the 'beautiful award'. Ballon d'Or should be given to the strongest." --London fan, Michael
"I like Messi, but this year it has to be Zhang Kuang. 105 goals, you say it again? 105! This is not playing a game, this is a real season.
Those who say 'beautiful football', ask your head coach, does he want Zhang Kuang or Messi? I bet 95% of the head coaches will choose Zhang Kuang."--Madrid fan, Carlos
"Zhang Kuang's speech makes me very uncomfortable. He seems to be implying that Westerners relying on God are a sign of cowardice. This is very offensive. You can be proud of your culture, but don't step on other people's culture."--Munich fan, Klaus
"I just like Zhang Kuang's way of speaking, straight to the point and not pretentious. The Europe players were interviewed one by one with the words 'Thank you God', 'My teammates are great', 'We worked hard', etc., which made my ears spin. Zhang Kuang at least said something different." --Amsterdam fan, Johan
"He may be a good player, but his character is really not good. What's the point of not greeting Barcelona players at the award ceremony? Football is a gentleman's game, not a street fight." --Barcelona fan, Pablo
"Haha, gentlemen's sports? Don't you know what Barcelona players did to Zhang Kuang on the court? How did Piqué's ankle get injured?
How did Ramos's elbow hit? Why don't you talk about being gentlemen when you fuck others at your home court?"--Manchester fan, Dave
"I am a neutral fan, but I want to say one thing: Zhang Kuang's theory of 'man can conquer nature' shocked me. It is not simple for a 20-year-old young man to have such depth of thought. Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi may never be able to say this in their lifetime." --Lisbon fan, João
"The New York Times": "Political Statement on the Football Pitch: Zhang Kuang's Ballon d'Or Controversy!"
"Zhang Kuang is the first Asia player to win a Ballon d'Or. This should have been a purely sports story. But he chose to talk about the difference between 'China culture' and 'Western culture' in his acceptance speech, turning the stadium into a political podium.
We can't help but ask: Is it necessary for an athlete to do this? His statement is reminiscent of those athletes waving political flags at the Olympics: they forget that sports transcend politics."
"The Washington Post": "Danger signal of Zhang Kuang!"
"A young player from China uses the slogan 'Man can conquer nature' to define his football philosophy. This sounds very familiar, it is the expression of a certain ideology.
We hope Zhang Kuang understands that the international stage he is on is not a propaganda position. If he continues like this, his image may change from a great player to a player with a political mission."
"Los Angeles Times": "Ballon d'Or's embarrassment!"
"Zhang Kuang's acceptance speech embarrassed FIFA. They originally hoped to use Ballon d'Or to show the unity of football, but instead a young man used the trophy as a political amplifier.
What is even more worrying is his statement in the post-match interview that 'gentlemen are capitalists and politicians in disguise'. Such remarks would be regarded as dangerous incitement in any democratic country."
The comment area of Fox Sports is even more intense:
"Another brainwashed China person, he thought he was talking about 'culture', but actually he was talking about 'politics'."
"Zhang Kuang's information is indeed scary, but his mind seems to be occupied by some kind of ideology. He needs to come to United States to play for a few years and feel what true freedom is."
But some people are refuting:
"He is talking about his own culture. Is this called politics? You United States people sing the national anthem and perform in military uniforms on the court every day. That is called politics, right?"
"If a China person talks about China culture, is it politics? Then when a United States person talks about United States dreams, is it politics? Don't make the double standards too obvious."
"I quite agree with Zhang Kuang's statement of 'break out of the Western narrative and look at other cultural narratives'. That's right. Why do aliens invade the earth when they come to the earth? What is there that is worthy of their invasion?"
"..."
South America's media is very different!
"O Globo" (Brazil): "Brazil Football's Mirror: Zhang Kuang's Enlightenment to Us!"
"Zhang Kuang's award tells us that football is not only a combination of technology and art, but also a manifestation of power and efficiency. Brazil football has been too pursuing 'beauty' in recent years, but has forgotten that the essence of football is to kick the ball into the opponent's goal. Zhang Kuang's 'not beautiful' football just gave Brazil football a warning."
"La Nación" (Argentina): "The fall of Ballon d'Or!"
Argentina The media almost unanimously criticized. "Zhang Kuang is not worthy of Ballon d'Or. His football has no soul, only power. Messi's football is truly a pleasing art."
If goal scoring is everything, then what's the point of Ballon d'Or? Zhang Kuang's speech at the award ceremony was even more disgusting. A person who doesn't know how to respect other people's beliefs is not worthy of standing on that stage."
Argentina fans' comments were equally intense:
"Zhang Kuang is a barbarian. His football depends on his body. He doesn't have the aura of Messi."
"He said China people don't believe God? That's just right, God doesn't know him either."
"Messi is the real Mr. Ballon d'Or. Zhang Kuang relies on violent football. Messi relies on artistic football and makes judgments."
"..."
Uruguay and "El Observador" are relatively neutral. "Zhang Kuang deserves the award! The information will not lie, and neither will the championship trophy."
As for his remarks, they are a young man's confident expression of his cultural identity, and we do not need to over-interpret them."
Asia's media is polarizing!
"Kyodo News" (Japan): "The pride of Asia!"
"Zhang Kuang's award is a historic moment for Asia football! Whether you like his style or not, he proved that Asia players can also stand on top of the world.
Japan football has been learning from Brazil and Germany. Now maybe it's time to take a look at how Zhang Kuang has made a name for himself by relying on 'efficiency football'."
"JoongAng Ilbo" (South Korea): "The controversy behind the information!"
The attitude of South Korea media was subtle and sour. "Zhang Kuang's 105 goals are indeed amazing, but his acceptance speech made many people feel uncomfortable.
A person who claims that 'China people rely on their hands' seems to have forgotten that football is a team sport. In addition, some South Korea netizens pointed out that some of Zhang Kuang's technical moves seem to have borrowed the style of South Korea players. Of course, he himself will not admit it."
South Korea netizen's comments are even more explosive:
"What's so great about Zhang Kuang? We Son Heung-min will be stronger than him in the future."
"The information was generated and his teammates have been giving him assists. Can Premier League's defense be compared to Bundesliga's?"
"He doesn't dare to come to K League to play football. Once he comes, he will know what real physical confrontation is."
"That's enough for you. Zhang Kuang is indeed better than any of our players. Is it difficult to admit that others are good?"
"..."
Japan netizen is relatively rational:
"Zhang Kuang made Asia football stand up! Although we don't like some of his remarks, we must recognize his strength."
"Japan Football should think: Why can't we cultivate shooters of this level?"
"His strength training methods should be studied. This is a successful example of Asia man's body against Europe man."
"I really like Zhang Kuang's straightforwardness and spirit, and I really like China's samurai spirit. It's really amazing!"
"..."
Chinese media is the fiercest battlefield!
"Ming Pao": "Cultural controversy under the glory of Ballon d'Or!"
"Zhang Kuang became the first Chinese player to win Ballon d'Or, and the whole country celebrated. However, his statement that 'man can conquer nature' caused widespread controversy.
Some scholars believe that Zhang Kuang politicizes and culturalizes football, which is an immature performance. There are also comments that Zhang Kuang's speech just shows the cultural confidence of the China younger generation and should not be over-interpreted."
"Apple Daily": "Pride and Prejudice of Zhang Kuang!"
"A 20-year-old young man thinks he can speak on behalf of China culture after getting Ballon d'Or? Does he understand what China culture is? He is just a football player.
What's even more ridiculous is that he actually used 'Yu the Great to control water' to satirize Noah's Ark. This low-level historical comparison will only make people laugh. The height of Western civilization cannot be understood by a football player..."
"Ta Kung Pao": "China person's spiritual totem!"
"Zhang Kuang's speech brought tears to the eyes of countless China people! The four words 'man can conquer nature' reveal the secret of the Chinese civilization's five thousand years of endless development.
While Westerners are waiting for God to save them in Noah's Ark, our ancestors have already opened mountains and floods under the leadership of Yu the Great.
This kind of constant self-improvement engraved in the blood is the spiritual background of Zhang Kuang's success in Europe. He used football as a medium to declare to the world the faith of China people: We don't believe in God, we believe in ourselves."
"Southern Metropolis Daily": "Zhang Kuang has indeed created history, but his speech criticizing the advanced civilization of the West seems ridiculous and pitiful!"
"Where is the origin of modern civilization? In the West. Where is the origin of various modern theories? In the West. Where is the origin of modern technology? In the West. Even the football played by Zhang Kuang was played by Westerners.
What is ridiculous is that such a football player, after achieving great success in the Western football environment, insinuates the advanced civilization of the West.
Zhang Kuang, don't embarrass China people. Really, we are ashamed of you. How should I handle myself when I meet foreigners in the future..."
"Liming Daily": "Warm congratulations to my China national football team player for winning his first Ballon d'Or!"
"Beijing time yesterday evening, our China national football team players won the World Ballon d'Or for the 2010-11 season at the Switzerland Zurich FIFA headquarters. This is the first time a Chinese athlete has won this award, and it is also the first time an Asia player has won this award.
Asia football has always been criticized for its technological backwardness, physical backwardness, and racial inferiority. However, the success of Zhang Kuang football shows one thing: there is no racial inferiority in football, but there may be technological backwardness..."
The comment sections of major mainland portal websites have become a quarrel:
"Zhang Kuang is awesome! It shows the backbone of China people! This is the real China voice!"
"I think he is too arrogant. Football is football. What kind of culture and beliefs are there? Does he appear to be very cultured?"
"You know nothing! China people have been suppressed by Western culture for more than a hundred years. Finally, someone has spoken out the spirit of China people on the world stage. Are you still saying 'football is football'? You have no spine?"
"Don't talk about it upstairs, Zhang Kuang still seems to be very educated. Go to Europe and take a look. How many football players know about Hegel? How many athletes understand the difference between religious beliefs? How many football players understand what 'cultural narrative' is? Doesn't this mean that Zhang Kuang is more educated than them?"
"Zhang Kuang should be careful, the Western media has begun to besiege him. He is making enemies for himself."
"What are you afraid of making enemies? A truly strong man never lacks enemies. Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both obey him, but only the keyboard warrior doesn't."
"I just don't understand. What's the problem with what he said? When he praises China's culture, it's politics? Then why is it not politics when United States people say 'United States dreams' every day?"
"What you said above is right! Westerners talk about their own culture as 'values', and China people talk about their own culture as 'political propaganda'? Zhang Kuang is not promoting communism, so what kind of political propaganda is this? How many years have we been playing this double standard, and do some people still believe it?"
"..."
Some intellectuals also posted a long article of criticism on Weibo:
"Zhang Kuang's remarks are a kind of low-level cultural nationalism. We must be wary of populism. He compared 'Yu the Great water control' with 'Noah's Ark', which is completely ignorant of history.
Noah's Ark is a myth, and Yu the Great flood control is also a legend. There is no distinction between the two. He packages his prejudice as 'cultural confidence', which is actually misleading young people.
True cultural self-confidence is to learn from the advanced. Nowadays, whoever is the most advanced will learn from them. We should humbly learn from the West and learn everything from them, including faith. The so-called 'China faith' is really useful, why are we lagging behind? It shows that 'Faith God' is the most advanced and the most able to change our destiny..."
Below this post Weibo, the number of comments quickly exceeded 10,000:
"Holy shit, I've never seen you so shameless. You're just going to abandon your roots and go all the way to the West? Do you believe God? Are you on God's roster? Go check out Bible. Is there anything written about you in it? They don't even see you, so what's the use of trusting him?"
"Professor, you have been kneeling for so long that you cannot stand up. They are trying to bring glory to China people, and you are trying to cause trouble behind them. What are your intentions?"
"Belief in God is the most advanced? I'm fucking sick, isn't this flattering to foreigners too bottomless? No, are all the professors in our country like this? Then what are the students they teach like?"
"This person is a typical 'high-class Chinese'. He always thinks that everything in the West is high-end and everything in China is backward. Zhang Kuang slapped him hard in the face."
"..."
The BBC's "Football Focus" column dedicated a special issue. "Zhang Kuang phenomenon - is it a genius or a troublemaker?"
Host Gary·Lineker said in his opening remarks, "A 20-year-old young man who just got Ballon d'Or has the entire Europe media discussing his remarks. What exactly did he say? Does what he said make sense?"
Guest Alain·Shearer said, "I think Zhang Kuang is a pure football genius, and his speech is just expressing his cultural background. I don't think he is offending anyone, he is just saying 'who I am'."
Another guest, former England international player Paul Ince, expressed a different opinion. "He doesn't need to say so much. He won Ballon d'Or, and everyone knows he is the best."
But his words... I think he is creating unnecessary enemies for himself. Such a person does not show how educated or smart he is, but rather stupid, and has created many enemies for himself."
France Canal+'s program invited philosophers to discuss Zhang Kuang's speech. "It is interesting that a football player quoted Hegel's 'unity of opposites' theory in his acceptance speech.
He is not promoting politics, he is expressing a philosophical thinking. France people should be happy because Zhang Kuang once played football in France - part of his football wisdom was formed in Auxerre."
On Germany's ZDF TV station, a commentator said, "Zhang Kuang's theory of 'man can conquer nature' is actually similar to Germany's spirit of 'achieving goals through hard work'.
We don't need to over-interpret it as a 'political declaration', he is just using a China-style metaphor to express his understanding of success."
Comments from Italy RAI TV station showed typical Italy confusion. "This China person is too complicated. He is like a goal-scoring machine, but he is also like a philosopher."
He is both violent and rational, arrogant and thoughtful. Italy Football needs to study him carefully, not only how he scores goals, but also how he thinks."
And in a certain domestic program, a scholar who preached every day in the West that "the wind can come in, the rain can come in, the king cannot come in, the most contractual spirit" severely criticized Zhang Kuang in the program.
"I didn't expect that our China has been open for decades and our minds have been enlightened for so long. It's really sad that our younger generation still has such die-hards.
Civilization does not depend on how long you have existed. What is the meaning of Chinese civilization existing for five thousand years? Civilization depends on what you create? What is brilliant?
Zhang Kuang If you are in the West, you should be able to better understand who is more civilized. He does not learn from the advanced or civilized, but criticizes the civilized. This shows that our education road has a long way to go. I think we must delete all the dross and fully learn from the advancement of the West.
Only in this way can our nation and our country be truly civilized and developed. Otherwise, even if we achieve a small amount of development, it will be just an "upstart occasionally making a fortune", rather than real progress and development.
Our education sector needs to take action to fully popularize 'universal values' and learn from the advanced. This is one of the ways out..."