Godfather of national football

Chapter 338 Golden Globe Awards

At the end of October every year, the French football magazine "French Football" will announce a list of 10 players. The list will bring together the strongest football players in the world this year. Finally, this year's FIFA Ballon d'Or will be produced after voting.

Before 2010, the Ballon d'Or and FIFA Player of the Year were selected separately. After that, FIFA and "French Football" cooperated to combine the two awards into one, which became the current Ballon d'Or.

Since 2010, Messi has won three consecutive championships, winning the first three Golden Globe winners, and the awards are all waiting for him. Will Messi win four consecutive championships.

In addition, Ronaldo is also very popular this year, even surpassing Messi, but unlike before, what makes Chinese fans happy is that Zhou Dun was shortlisted for the 23-man squad and became the first Asian player to be shortlisted for the Golden Globe Award.

Of course, this is not surprising. Many football experts have already predicted that Zhou Dun is likely to be selected. In addition, the organizers have also frequently released the news, saying that this year's Ballon d'Or is different from the past. It is probably also to warm up the Chinese market in advance.

The announcement and awarding of the final top three Golden Globe Awards will be held in January next year, and it will be another feast at that time, because the world has already entered the time of the World Cup in Brazil.

What's interesting is that the voting for the Ballon d'Or is based on the comprehensive voting criteria of FIFA's national team captains, coaches and reporters, which means that Li Guo also has a vote in his hand.

In the past, he voted anonymously. Li Guo did not mince words when he was interviewed. Before that, all his votes were for Messi, but this year he can only vote for Zhou Dun.

"Zhou Dun is fully worthy of the Golden Globe Award. The Chinese women's football team has won Miss World Football. I think the Chinese men's football team has also reached such a time."

But most people think that Li Guo is joking, because this year's Golden Globe can only belong to two people, either Messi or Ronaldo, and it is impossible to leave it alone.

Don't believe in evil, the interest disputes in the football world are unimaginable, and there are many tricks in it.

Zhou Dun himself said that he was honored to be shortlisted. When asked whether he might win the award, Zhou Dun shook his head, "Maybe someday in the future, but now I am still too young and need to constantly prove myself."

*****
Taking advantage of the popularity of the squad, Pierre, a senior reporter of "French Football", flew to China. He wanted to meet Li Guo and explore the Chinese market.

Here is an interesting question, how is the atmosphere of Chinese football?People outside the circle think it is very good. Watching the World Cup and the European Cup, CCTV is like a festival. It runs continuously for a month. CCTV5 even becomes a football channel, and other sports programs are sidelined during that month.

But people in the circle know very well that the football atmosphere in China is so-so. It seems that the popularity is good because watching football in China is completely free.

But such a big market in China has always been coveted by people in the football circle. Blatter has publicly stated many times that he very much hopes that China will bid to host the World Cup, and even said that China will definitely succeed in the bid.

The place where Li Guo met Pierre was also very special. It was not a five-star hotel, but a farmhouse at the foot of the Great Wall.

Pierre has been to China many times and the Great Wall a few times, but it was Badaling, full of tourists and not fun at all, but this time Li Guo took him to see the Wild Great Wall.

"Is the Great Wall here what it looked like hundreds of years ago?"

"Yes."

"It's so great. It's hard for me to imagine how the Chinese transported the stones to the top of the mountain. It's hard even now."

"This is the wisdom of ancient Chinese people," Li Guo said with a smile.

"Talk about Zhou Dun?"

"No, let's talk about the purpose of your visit first."

Pierre likes Li Guo's quick talk, although he is a little uncomfortable, "The purpose? Simply put, it is money. The Chinese market is too big."

Li Guo nodded. He knew that the Wang family, the richest man in China, bought the American triathlon. At that time, he wondered, can buying a sports event make money?

Later, Li Guo understood that this was not for making money, but for expanding influence. Simply put, it was for long-term benefits. After all, after the Chinese people had enough to eat and drink, sports would become a necessity.

"I want to ask a question that I've always wanted to ask. Is there any trick in the selection of your Golden Globe Awards?"

Pierre laughed, "No, I can tell you responsibly, but I can also tell you that the selection of the Golden Globe Awards is unfair."

"Why?" Li Guo asked in bewilderment, if it is true that one person, one vote, then it is fair.

Pierre said: "In the past, the selection of the Ballon d'Or was voted by professional football journalists from all over the world. Now that the captains and coaches of the national teams have been added, it seems fairer. But in fact, the coaches usually don't have time to watch the football. They vote based on the reputation of the players."

"No wonder Messi Sanlianzhuang," Li Guo thought to himself.

"In fact, we also want to break up with FIFA, but we haven't negotiated it yet. I think the previous rules are more reasonable, and newcomers are easy to stand out. Otherwise, it's Ronaldo and Messi every year. What's the point?"

"Then what do you need me for?" Li Guo asked.

Pierre smiled shyly, "I hope you will write an article and publish it in "French Football", criticizing the current selection system."

"That is to say, let me be a bad person?" Li Guo chuckled.

"No, it's just that you scold people and everyone likes to watch it."

Li Guo smiled wryly, "Am I already this popular?"

But when I think about it carefully, Li Guo is actually not at a disadvantage. It is also an honor to speak nonsense in such a famous media.

"Okay, I promise you."

"Is this the whole purpose of you looking for me?"

"Hehe, I also want to meet the chairman of the Chinese Football Association, can you arrange it?"

Li Guo thought that this should be no problem. As a Frenchman, Pierre is still very curious about the development of the Chinese league. On the one hand, it is very prosperous, but on the other hand, he is not very rational. He wants to take this opportunity to learn about the Chinese league.

"Also, Li Guo, do you have any preparations for next year's World Cup?"

Li Guo smiled slightly, and pointed to the Great Wall in front of him, "Just like our ancestors, first secure the defense, and then think about other things."

Pierre was also happy. It seems that Li Guo is still very clear-headed and has not been dazzled by previous achievements.

"What about you, do you have any expectations for the French team?"

"Hehe, it's good to stop fighting among ourselves."

Li Guo was very face-saving and smiled, "Then let me treat you to a meal at the foot of the Great Wall."

(End of this chapter)