Chapter 914: The Fifth Ballon d'Or

Countdown to the 2023 Ballon d'Or Ceremony: Could Tang Ye Become the First Player to Win the FIFA Ballon d'Or While Playing for an Asian Club?

World Cup Third Place + Six-Trophy Season + Asian Cup Champion: Is the Annual Ballon d'Or a Foregone Conclusion?

Dembélé, in an interview, stated he lacks competitiveness compared to Tang Ye, despite Tang Ye no longer playing in a top-five league.

“This year’s Ballon d’Or is calculated from last year’s World Cup. Though I’m a World Cup champion, I still don’t think it’s enough. If I must say, I believe this year’s Ballon d’Or should go to Tom. I’ll aim for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.”

After a Champions League match, Dembélé shared his views on this year’s Ballon d’Or with reporters: “I made a promise to Tom—I’ll win a Ballon d’Or while he’s not in the top five leagues. I’m working toward that goal now, and I believe I’ll fulfill our agreement by 2024 or 2025.”

From Dembélé’s remarks in the interview, this French forward seems to have little confidence in his chances for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

“Man United currently sit second in Champions League Group C, and you’ve even suffered three consecutive draws in the league—something unheard of in recent years. Do you think Tang Ye’s departure triggered this string of losses?”

“…”

Dembélé was growing weary of the reporters, but journalists are like this—they always love asking questions about Tang Ye.

“I think there’s a significant connection here.”

Though reluctant, Dembélé spoke honestly: “Tom has always been our most important player. His departure may leave us struggling to adapt in the short term.”

“But that’s not a problem—we’ll adjust quickly.”

“I made a promise to Tom—I’ll win the Ballon d’Or, one day within the next three years.”

As he spoke those final words, Dembélé’s gaze was utterly resolute—he was no longer the naive youth from Dortmund or Barcelona.

For this Frenchman, the best decision of his life was leaving Barcelona for Man United; nearly every Man United fan witnessed his transformation from a greenhorn into one of the team’s core players.

Now burdened with his promise to Tang Ye, Dembélé must win a Ballon d’Or during the peak of his career!

…

Repost of Dembélé’s interview: Man United’s poor start this season is linked to Tang Ye’s departure; Tang Ye’s exit has left some Man United players without direction; the team will adjust soon; team underperformance is not Tenghahe ’s fault.

Dembélé’s conversation with reporters sparked intense fan debate, especially now in October—the critical month when this year’s Ballon d’Or winner will be announced.

Second in the league, second in the Champions League group stage: the 2023–24 season is undoubtedly a failure for Man United—at least for now.

Still, Rodri and Dembélé have remained consistently strong, and De Jong is nearly back from injury, so most Man United fans still hold hope for the future.

Of course, a small minority hold a pessimistic view.

[When will the Glazers leave? Tang Ye gave the club 550 million euros, not to you, Glazer!]

[Teng Hake is still no good—this season won’t we lose to Man City again…? That would be bad.]

[Will Ronaldo’s words come true again…? It always feels like Ronaldo’s predictions come true soon after—he’s going to bring bad luck to Man United?]

You’re too pessimistic, bro—Manchester United won’t collapse. Their foundation is insane; they’ll win the league no matter how badly they play.

[Win the league? Are you ignoring Guardiola? Haven’t you seen how lethal Haaland is this season?]

[Stop talking—next week a Saudi League player wins the Ballon d’Or, and I can’t even imagine what the comment section will look like. Football is becoming more abstract by the day.]

“Tang Ye!”

“Tang Ye!”

“Tang Ye!”

The roar from King’s Stadium surged like a tidal wave; Tang Ye stood at the center of the pitch, holding the MVP trophy, absorbing the fans’ cheers.

“Ty, we remember when you first arrived here, there was much controversy because you played only about 70 minutes per match—far below your 95-minute average at Man United.”

“Haha, they all said I came here to retire.”

Tang Ye smiled bitterly: “Of course, it’s more comfortable here than the Premier League.”

“Yet in your last eight league matches, you scored 24 goals, achieving an average of three goals and two assists per game while playing only 70 minutes per match.”

“Wow!!!”

The moment the host finished speaking, the stands erupted in cheers.

Indeed, this season Tang Ye has seemed to be slacking, yet his stats are absurdly impressive—like a transcendent force.

“Haha, I think it’s fine. Honestly, I haven’t paid much attention to my stats.”

Tang Ye shrugged: “I care more about the team’s position on the league table. But right now we’ve won all eight league matches, so there’s no need to worry about ranking.”

Tang Ye’s stance is clear: he’s here to be a enforcer.

Whether he scores or assists in a match, his mission is to ensure Al Hilal wins every trophy—none can be missed.

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

“Let’s wait and see.”

Tang Ye looked into the camera: “Next weekend I’ll go to Paris—then we’ll know everything.”

…

“Theo.”

Back in the locker room, Tang Ye high-fived Hernandez: “Great assist.”

“Of course.”

Hernandez was in good spirits: “I thought the Saudi League was as tough as Ronaldo said, but we’ve been dominating every opponent.”

“Shh!”

Tang Ye signaled Hernandez to keep quiet: “Stay low-key, Theo—I agree with you, but don’t say it out loud.”

“Haha.”

Hernandez fist-bumped Tang Ye: “Hope you win this year’s Ballon d’Or—I’m on the shortlist too. I’ll be cheering for you.”

“He probably doesn’t need your vote.”

Mitrović teased Hernandez: “The whole Ballon d’Or ceremony will be full of his brothers. Didn’t you check the list? It’s packed with Man United players.”

“True.”

Hernandez shrugged, unimpressed: “But what’s wrong with adding one more? Talk like that when you’ve actually made it to the ceremony.”

“Alright, alright, quiet down.”

Tang Ye clapped his hands: “Focus on the upcoming AFC Champions League.”

…

Al Riyadh United Daily—Transcendent Force! After joining Al Hilal, Tang Ye played 12 matches, scoring 31 goals and providing 20 assists, with an average rating of 9.7—was Al Hilal’s big-money signing of Tang Ye like using a cannon to shoot a mosquito?

Editor-in-Chief of Al Riyadh Sports: No matter how much Al Hilal spent to bring Tang Ye over, their results are undeniable. If Al Nassr doesn’t want to fall too far behind, their management should heed Ronaldo’s advice and make “more signings.”

This season, Al Nassr has already been shut out twice by Al Hilal, leaving Ronaldo deeply frustrated and increasingly irritable.

He was told this was a retirement league—why are Tang Ye, Mitrović, and Cancelo showing up on his side of the pitch?

But viewed from another angle, it’s not necessarily bad for him.

Saudi Radio Interview with Ronaldo: The Saudi League has now surpassed Ligue 1 and reached top-five league standards; it will only get stronger. Teng Hake’s clownish nature hasn’t changed—Tang Ye’s departure has exposed his true colors.

Ibrahimović responds to Ronaldo’s remarks: The intensity of Ligue 1 far exceeds that of the Saudi League. Ronaldo has never played in Ligue 1—his judgment is inaccurate.

…

Paris, Théâtre du Châtelet. This is the venue for the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony by France Football.

Several Man United players stood on the red carpet, answering reporters’ questions while constantly glancing around, as if waiting for someone.

At that moment, a black Lincoln slowly pulled up, instantly catching Dembélé’s attention: “Here he comes.”

Seven Man United players waited at the red carpet’s entrance; Kane kindly opened the door.

“Wow, Harry, thanks.”

Tang Ye embraced Kane.

Click-click-click!