Chapter 762: Some Comment on the Era, Others Create It

4. Dembélé (Manchester United, France).

5. Messi (Barcelona, Argentina).

6. De Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium).

7. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus, Portugal).

8. De Jong (Manchester United, Netherlands).

9. Mané (Liverpool, Senegal).

10. Rashford (Manchester United, England).

Unlike the gradual release of the 2021 Ballon d'Or, the organizers announced the 2020 rankings with crisp efficiency: first listing 30th to 21st, then 20th to 11th, and finally the top ten.

"Oh…"

"Man United has three players in the top ten!"

"True, the 2019–20 season was Man United's quadruple-winning season, so this share of the top ten is reasonable. But this isn't over yet…"

The commentator noted that the top ten list had not yet been fully revealed.

By reverse-engineering the list from 4th to 30th, we can deduce the top three: Tang Ye, Messi, and Lewandowski.

These are the top three of the 2020 Ballon d'Or.

As for their exact rankings among themselves, we must wait for the screen to refresh.

【Holy shit, guys, it's coming!】

【Insane, he won the 2021 one too—this 2020 one is a lock.】

【Guys, I can't even breathe. Two Ballon d'Ors in one year, haha!】

【Tang the Ballon d'Or King already hinted—he said if it's not this award, he'll eat shit.】

【6666, FIFA is really pushing Tang the Ballon d'Or King.】

【Push his ass—he doesn't need pushing. He's been up in the sky the whole time.】

"Third place…"

"Lionel Messi!"

Applause, applause, applause, applause, applause!!!!

As the host announced Messi's name, the screen displayed the Argentine's name.

As fans predicted, Messi's ranking would be lower than Tang Ye's and Lewandowski's.

As for how to rank Tang Ye and Lewandowski against each other…

Honestly, it was hard to separate them in 2021, but in 2020, distinguishing them was effortless.

You could compare on-field performance, honors, or any other metric—it wouldn't matter.

After comparing everything, you'd find Tang Ye surpassed Lewandowski in every category by a full tier—utterly flawless.

The only question.

Would FIFA be willing to award one player two Ballon d'Or trophies in the same year?

"Second place…"

"Robert Lewandowski!"

Applause, applause, applause, applause!!

Applause, applause, applause, applause!

Lewandowski's applause lasted noticeably longer than Messi's.

This wasn't because he had more supporters than Messi, but because a large portion of the applause was meant for Tang Ye.

Knowing who came second made the first place obvious.

Applause, applause, applause, applause!!

Applause, applause, applause, applause, applause!

Led by the Manchester United players at the front, guests in the theater rose one by one.

The screen still displayed Lewandowski's name, but all guests turned toward Tang Ye and applauded.

"My god… haha!"

"It's really happening!"

"Ladies and gentlemen watching live, your decision to stay up tonight has been proven right."

"Because you are about to witness history…"

Applause, applause, applause, applause!

The applause continued, during which Dembélé and Haaland deliberately goofed, shouting "wow!" repeatedly, creating a chaotic atmosphere.

"Vamos!"

Rodri raised his fist.

The host had planned to wait for the crowd to quiet slightly before announcing the winner, but after waiting, he simply shouted it out.

"The winner of the 2020 FIFA Ballon d'Or…"

"Tang Ye!"

【tangye】

【manunited、dortmund】

【chn】

"Thank you, thank you!"

Tang Ye nodded to the guests beside him.

Holding the 2021 Ballon d'Or trophy in one hand, Tang Ye kissed Zhou Ye, then embraced each of his Manchester United teammates.

Cristiano Ronaldo was, of course, one of them.

"Cristiano."

Tang Ye patted Ronaldo on the back; the Portuguese said nothing, only nodded at Tang Ye.

"Hmm."

Tang Ye didn't mind; he briefly bid farewell to Ronaldo, then shook hands and embraced Messi: "Congratulations."

He received the Argentine's blessing.

Tang Ye heard a hint of resignation in Messi's tone, a touch of pity.

But Messi was not Tang Ye's teammate, barely even a half-friend—so Messi's feelings were none of Tang Ye's concern.

"You are the best."

Pogba fist-bumped Tang Ye, placed one hand over his chest, and bowed his head slightly.

"You're not bad either."

Tang Ye punched Pogba lightly, then embraced his agent Bor, former teammates Haaland and Bellingham, and also Ten Hag, before walking toward the stage.

Halfway there, as the camera followed, Tang Ye suddenly stopped, looked at the Ballon d'Or trophy in his hand, and turned to the host: "Should I bring this up?"

"Or leave it down there?"

"It's up to you."

The host smiled: "But if you want my advice, I'd suggest bringing it up."

"Haha!"

Tang Ye laughed.

Without hesitation, he carried the Ballon d'Or trophy up onto the stage.

The 2020 Ballon d'Or ceremony was personally overseen by FIFA President Infantino.

Infantino picked up the trophy, glancing at Tang Ye's 2021 Ballon d'Or: "Can you hold both?"

"Wow!!!"

Applause, applause!!

Tang Ye shook his shoulders: "Of course!"

"Haha, I knew you could."

With that, Infantino handed the Ballon d'Or trophy to Tang Ye.

【Witnessing history!】

【Witnessing history, guys!】

【Two dragons playing with a pearl? Two balls playing with a pig!】