Chapter 914: The Fifth Ballon d'Or

"Countdown to the 2023 Ballon d'Or Ceremony: Could TY become the first player to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or while playing for an Asian club?"

"World Cup third place + a six-trophy season + Asian Cup champion—is the annual Ballon d'Or a foregone conclusion?"

"In an interview, Dembélé stated that compared to TY, he lacked a certain level of competitiveness, even though TY was no longer in a top-tier league."

"This year's Ballon d'Or is calculated starting from last year's World Cup; although I am a World Cup champion, I still feel it's not enough. If I must say, I think this year's Ballon d'Or should go to Tom. I will strive for the 2024 Ballon d'Or."

"After a Champions League match, Dembélé shared his views on this year's Ballon d'Or with reporters: 'Tom and I made a promise that I would win a Ballon d'Or during the period he is not in the top five leagues. I am currently working toward that goal, and I believe I will fulfill my agreement with him in either 2024 or 2025.'"

"Judging from Dembélé's words during the interview, the French striker did not seem very optimistic about his prospects for this year's Ballon d'Or."

"Currently, Manchester United ranks second in Champions League Group C, and you even suffered three consecutive draws at the start of the league season, something unseen in recent years. Do you consider TY's departure to be the trigger for this series of setbacks for Manchester United?"

"..."

"Dembélé felt somewhat helpless under the reporters' questioning, but that's just how reporters are; they love asking questions related to Tang Ye."

"I think there is a significant connection there."

"Although somewhat reluctant, Dembélé still spoke honestly: 'Tom has always been our most important player; his departure may prevent us from adapting in the short term.'"

"But this is not a problem; we will adjust as soon as possible."

"Tom and I have a promise; I will win the Ballon d'Or someday within the next three years."

"When speaking that final sentence, Dembélé's eyes were filled with unwavering determination; he was completely no longer the rash youth from his Dortmund and Barcelona days."

"For this Frenchman, the most correct decision of his life was leaving Barcelona to join Manchester United; almost all Manchester United fans witnessed this guy's entire process of growing from a rash youth into one of the team's core players."

"Now Dembélé carries a promise to Tang Ye on his shoulders; he is determined to win a Ballon d'Or during the peak of his career!"

"..."

"Reposting Dembélé's interview: Manchester United's sluggish start to the new season is related to Tang Ye's departure; Tang Ye's exit caused some Manchester United players to lose their direction; believing the team can adjust its form as soon as possible; not believing that the team's poor results are Ten Hag's fault."

"The conversation between Dembélé and the reporters sparked extensive discussion among fans, especially during this critical period in October, when this year's Ballon d'Or winner is about to be announced."

"Ranking second in the league and also second in the Champions League group stage, the 2023-24 season is undoubtedly a failed one for Manchester United, at least judging by the current situation."

"Fortunately, however, the two key generals, Rodri and Dembélé, remain stable in their performances, and with De Jong not far from recovering from injury, most Manchester United fans still hold hope for the future."

"Of course, a small minority of fans hold a pessimistic attitude."

"【When will the Glazers get out? Damn it, Tang Ye left 550 million euros for the club, not f***ing for you, Glazers!】"

"【Ten Hag is still not up to the task; won't he fail to beat Mancheng this season?... That would be bad.】"

"【Could Brother Luo's words be coming true?... I always feel that whatever Cristiano Ronaldo says comes true soon; is Manchester United really in trouble?】"

"【Brother upstairs is too pessimistic; Manchester United won't collapse; the club's foundation now is ridiculously strong; no matter how they lose, they will steadily win the league title.】"

"【Steadily win the league title? Are you really not treating my Guardiola as a human? Haven't you seen how fierce Haaland is this season?】"

"【Stop talking; next week a Saudi Pro League player wins the Ballon d'Or; I dare not imagine what the comment section will look like then; the football world is truly becoming more and more abstract.】"

"Tang Ye!"

"Tang Ye!"

"Tang Ye!"

"Cheers at the King Fahd International Stadium surged like a tsunami; Tang Ye, holding the MVP trophy, stood in the middle of the pitch, accepting the cheers from the fans."

"TY, we remember that when you first arrived here, you faced a lot of controversy because you only played about 70 minutes per match, far lower than your average of 95 minutes per game during your Manchester United period."

"Haha, they all said I came here to retire."

"Tang Ye smiled bitterly: "Of course, compared to the Premier League, it is indeed more comfortable here.""

"But you have scored 24 goals in the past eight league matches, achieving an average of three goals and two assists per game while only playing 70 minutes in each match."

"Wow!!!"

"As soon as the host finished speaking, the stands instantly erupted in cheers."

"Indeed, although Tang Ye this season has had intentions of slacking off, his statistics are truly exaggerated, giving people the feeling of a heavenly dominator."

"Haha, I think it's fine; actually, I haven't paid much attention to my statistics most of the time."

"Tang Ye shrugged: "Compared to statistics, I probably pay more attention to the team's ranking in the league table. However, we currently have eight consecutive wins in the league, so there is no need to worry about the ranking.""

"Tang Ye's stance was very clear; he was here to be a enforcer.

"No matter how many goals or assists he scored in a match, his task was to ensure Al-Hilal won every single championship, without missing a single one."

"Will you become the first player to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or while playing for an Asian club? This would be your personal fifth Ballon d'Or (excluding the World Cup Golden Ball)."

"We can look forward to it."

"Tang Ye looked at the camera: "Next weekend I will go to Paris, and then everything will be known.""

"..."

"Theo."

"Back in the locker room, Tang Ye high-fived Hernández: "Great assist.""

"It's what I should do."

"Hernández was in a good mood: "I feel the Saudi League isn't as formidable as Ronaldo said; we've been dominating the opponent throughout.""

"Shh!"

"Tang Ye signaled Hernández not to speak arrogantly: "Keep a low profile, Theo, although I very much agree with what you said.""

"Haha."

"Hernández bumped fists with Tang Ye: "Wish you can win this year's Ballon d'Or; coincidentally, I also made the candidate list, so I'll applaud for you then.""

"He probably doesn't lack just your one applause."

"Mitrović teased Hernández: "The Ballon d'Or ceremony is full of his brothers; haven't you seen the list? There's a bunch of Manchester United people.""

"That's true too."

"Hernández spread his hands, giving Mitrović no face: "But having one more of me isn't a bad thing, right? Talk about this when you can go to the scene yourself.""

"Alright, alright, quiet down a bit."

Tang Ye clapped his hands: "Remember to cheer for the AFC Champions League matches later."

……

"Al-Riyadh United News"—A transcendent substitute! After joining Al-Hilal, TY has played 12 matches, scoring 31 goals and providing 20 assists, with an average match rating soaring to 9.7; was Al-Hilal's heavy investment to sign TY like using a cannon to swat a mosquito?

Editor-in-Chief of "Al-Riyadh Sports": Regardless of the price Al-Hilal paid to facilitate TY's transfer, Al-Hilal's current results are an ironclad fact. If Al-Nassr does not want to fall too far behind, its management should heed Cristiano Ronaldo's suggestion to make "more signings."

So far this season, Al-Nassr has been shut out twice by Al-Hilal, a situation that has given Cristiano Ronaldo a massive headache, even causing his temper to become unstable.

They said he came to the Saudi League to wind down his career, so why are players like Tang Ye, Mitrović, and Cancelo appearing on the opposite side against him?

However, looking at it from another angle, this is actually not a bad thing for him.

Saudi radio exclusive interview with Cristiano Ronaldo: The Saudi League has currently surpassed Ligue 1 to reach the level of the top five leagues, and it will become even stronger in the future; Ten Hag's clownish nature has not changed, and TY's departure will cause him to reveal his true colors ahead of schedule.

Ibrahimović responded to Cristiano Ronaldo's remarks: The intensity of Ligue 1 is far greater than that of the Saudi League; Cristiano Ronaldo has never played in Ligue 1, so his judgment is inaccurate.

……

Paris, Châtelet Theatre. This is the scene of the 2023 "France Football" Ballon d'Or award ceremony.

Several Manchester United players stood on the red carpet, answering reporters' questions while constantly looking around, as if waiting for something.

At this moment, a black Lincoln slowly drove up, instantly capturing Dembélé's attention: "Here he comes."

Seven Manchester United players waited before the red carpet, and Kane very thoughtfully helped open the door.

"Wow, Harry, thanks."

Tang Ye and Kane embraced.

Click-click!