Chapter 321: World Cup Awards Ceremony - Winning So Many Trophies!
The field was chaotic. The moment the final whistle blew, the Spanish players went wild. The forwards rushed to the corner and knelt, hugging each other. In the backfield, several defenders and goalkeeper Casillas also hugged each other. Even though they had won the World Cup four years ago, winning this most prestigious honor in football once again made them extremely excited.
Since Pele led Brazil to successfully defend their title in the 1962 World Cup, no team had managed to achieve this in 52 years. In the increasingly competitive modern football environment, defending the World Cup seemed like an impossible task. But the Spaniards proved to the world that where there's a will, there's a way!
The live broadcast camera focused on Lin Quan. Undoubtedly, Lin Quan was the best player among the 22 on the field in this match. With 3 goals and 1 assist, he was involved in all four of Spain's goals. Throughout this World Cup, Lin Quan scored a total of 12 goals, surpassing his teammate Villa to become Spain's top scorer in history. Besides these 12 goals, he also contributed 10 assists, creating 22 goals in total! It was his presence that made Spain's offense the most powerful in this World Cup.
In seven matches, Spain scored a total of 25 goals, averaging 3.5 goals per game. This scoring efficiency is the highest of any team in nearly 50 years. With these 25 goals, Spain surpassed Brazil and France, becoming the team with the second-most goals in a single World Cup, just behind Hungary. In the 1954 Swiss World Cup, Hungary, with legendary strikers Kocsis and Puskás, scored 27 goals in five matches, averaging over 5 goals per game. They remain the most aggressive attacking team in World Cup history. Unfortunately, Hungary was defeated by West Germany in the final after leading by two goals, leaving a significant regret.
Clearly, Lin Quan was very excited, hugging each player on the field, whether a starter, substitute, staff member, or reporter. If someone opened their arms, Lin Quan would not refuse a warm hug. After all, joy is meant to be shared.
In the CCTV commentary booth, seeing Lin Quan's joyful face, He Wei exclaimed, "In just two years, Lin Quan has risen from an unknown young player to one of the top stars on the planet!"
Xu Yang nodded in agreement, "Before the World Cup, there were concerns about Lin Quan's youth and whether he could handle the intense competition. But Lin Quan's outstanding performance, with goals in seven consecutive matches and 12 goals in a single World Cup, dispelled all doubts."
"This has been Lin Quan's year. So far, he has won five trophies this season, including the Premier League title, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Champions League, and the World Cup! And in terms of personal honors, Lin Quan has also received the Premier League Best Newcomer Award, Premier League Player of the Year, Premier League Golden Boot, Champions League Golden Boot, Champions League Player of the Year, World Cup Golden Boot, and World Cup Best Player, among many other dazzling honors!"
"Fans used to jokingly call Lin Quan a record-breaker, but now he might have another title - the honor collector!"
The last person to hug Lin Quan was the retired national team captain Puyol. Puyol did not participate in this World Cup as a player but joined the team as an assistant coach at Lin Quan's invitation. His presence significantly improved Spain's defense. Under his guidance, even Lin Quan's defensive abilities improved considerably.
"Captain, we did it!" Lin Quan said, his eyes red with emotion, as he patted Puyol's back.
"Yes, we did it. Thank you, Lin!" Puyol responded, his voice choked with emotion. Winning this trophy meant Puyol could retire without regrets.
"Careful, careful, put me down!" Del Bosque, the excited coach, entered the pitch to celebrate with his players but was immediately hoisted into the air and tossed upwards by the ecstatic players.
The old coach, though thrilled, was also terrified by this unexpected treatment. After being tossed a few times, he began pleading for them to put him down, fearing he might have a heart attack from the scare. The players, understanding his plight, gently set him down and turned their attention to Lin Quan.
Lin Quan tried to escape but was soon caught by Ramos and Martinez. If it had been on the pitch, Lin Quan might have attempted to get past them one-on-two. But now, without a ball at his feet, he had no chance against these two giants. Fortunately, his teammates weren't as ruthless as his club teammates. They tossed him in the air a few times before gently setting him back down.
While the Spanish players celebrated on the pitch, the staff began setting up the awards stage. There was still some time before the ceremony, and the players, dirty from the intense match, headed back to the locker room to clean up.
On his way to the tunnel, Lin Quan met Germany's legendary player Klose.
"Lin, can I trade shirts with you?" Klose, who had been waiting, asked.
Lin Quan had heard of Klose before, but they hadn't had the chance to play against each other until this World Cup final. It might also be their last encounter as Klose, at 36, was nearing retirement. Lin Quan eagerly accepted Klose's request, swapping shirts with him.
"Play well, the future is yours!" Klose said, holding Lin Quan's shirt.
"Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your future career!" Lin Quan sincerely replied.
Klose wasn't a natural talent but a hardworking player who rose through the ranks. His story was an inspiration to many.
After a brief chat, Lin Quan returned to the locker room, only to be doused with fruit-scented water by his teammates. Laughing, he retaliated with another bottle of champagne. Just as they were fooling around, they were warned of the coach's arrival. The players grabbed their champagne, aiming at the door.
Del Bosque, accompanying King Felipe VI of Spain, opened the locker room door and was immediately sprayed with champagne. The players were momentarily stunned, realizing they had soaked the King. But Felipe, unfazed, joked about feeling hot and needing an excuse to remove his suit, winning the players' admiration.
The players quickly showered and changed into special championship shirts before returning to the pitch. FIFA staff had placed the World Cup trophy on the stage, and the sight of it mesmerized the Spanish fans.
"I wish we could take this trophy back to Spain and keep it forever!" Torres said greedily.
"Maybe if we win the World Cup one more time, we can!" Ramos replied, his eyes fixed on the trophy.
However, Alonso explained that FIFA rules prevented the permanent possession of the World Cup trophy, even if a team won it three times. This rule was set after Brazil's dominance, ensuring no team could keep the trophy forever.
As the Spanish players chatted, the awards stage was completed. Cameras focused on the stage, ready for the award ceremony to begin.
The first individual award, FIFA's Best Young Player, was unsurprisingly awarded to Lin Quan. At 18, Lin Quan was the standout young player of the tournament, with his performance far surpassing his peers. He walked up to the stage, accepted the trophy, and posed for photos. The silver trophy was heavy, and Lin Quan guessed it might be made of solid silver.
Next was the Golden Glove award for the best goalkeeper, given to Spain's Casillas, who won it for the second time. With only four goals conceded in seven matches and four clean sheets, Casillas' contributions were crucial.
As Casillas waved to the crowd, Lin Quan compared his silver trophy to the golden glove and felt a bit envious. However, his name was soon called again for the Golden Boot award. Lin Quan accepted the award from FIFA President Blatter, who recalled how Lin Quan had promised a year ago to meet again on the awards stage. Lin Quan, holding the golden boot trophy, returned to his teammates, knowing the next award, the Golden Ball for the tournament's best player, was also his.
As expected, Lin Quan was called up again. Blatter, laughing, remarked how accurate Lin Quan's prediction was. Lin Quan accepted the golden ball trophy, a stunning gold-plated piece, from Blatter. After receiving the award, Lin Quan joined the other winners for a group photo. Holding three trophies, he struggled to manage them all, joking that winning too many awards wasn't necessarily a good thing.
Finally, the Spanish players lined up to receive their championship medals. Casillas, the team captain, lifted the World Cup trophy, and the stadium erupted in fireworks and cheers. Spain's joyous celebration was immortalized in that moment!
Holding Lin Quan's jersey, Klose wished him well.
"Thank you, I hope your career continues smoothly!" Lin Quan sincerely replied to Klose.
Klose wasn't a natural talent but an example of a grassroots player. He didn't come from a professional youth training background but from playing amateur football, so his starting point was much lower than most players. If not for Reghecampf spotting his talent and bringing him to Kaiserslautern at 22, the future World Cup top scorer might have ended up as a carpenter.
At the same time, Ronaldo, a prodigy, was already the top scorer in the South American Super Cup and had been called up to the Brazilian national team at 17. By 19, he was the top scorer in the Dutch league, and by 21, he was the top scorer in La Liga, winning the European Golden Ball and Golden Boot. At 21, Klose was still struggling in the third division. Compared to top stars, Klose wasn't fast, strong, or particularly skilled—he seemed very average.
Such a player back then would hardly be thought of as a future World Cup top scorer. In the 2002 World Cup, Klose's footwork was still crude. Faced with a half-high ball, he wouldn't use his foot but would bend over and head it. All five of his World Cup goals were headers, creating a record but also highlighting his technical gap compared to other German players.
Over time, Klose worked tirelessly to improve his shortcomings. His footwork continually improved, and eventually, he became proficient with both feet, adding more tools to his attacking arsenal and efficiently scoring goals. Unlike superstars like Ronaldo, Klose's style was simple and practical. His peak lasted long because his skills kept improving, limited only by age.
Not everyone can be Messi, but everyone can learn from Klose. Without needing top-level talent, honing one's skills to the utmost can also leave a mark in football.
After a brief chat, Lin Quan returned to the locker room. As soon as he opened the door, he was hit by streams of fruit-scented water. Lin Quan couldn't dodge and was drenched.
"Surprised?" His teammates, holding champagne, laughed mischievously. Lin Quan wiped his face and grabbed an unopened bottle, spraying them back.
Before the final, many had prepared champagne to celebrate the victory. Although champagne can be drunk, it's more fun to spray it!
"Quick, the coach is coming!" While Lin Quan and his teammates were spraying each other, someone on lookout warned them. The players grabbed their champagne and aimed at the door.
Del Bosque, accompanying King Felipe VI of Spain, opened the locker room door and was immediately hit by the scent of apples, lemons, and other fruits.
What's this? The old coach was puzzled, then suddenly drenched by several streams of champagne.
Del Bosque frowned, realizing something was up, and quickly shielded Felipe VI. The king hadn't even reacted before being soaked head-to-toe in champagne. The players were stunned—how could it be the king when they were told it was the coach?
"You rascals, too unruly!"
At 1.97 meters tall, King Felipe stood behind Del Bosque, unaffected by the champagne.
"No worries, everyone's happy. This is great!" Felipe VI, unfazed, joked, "I felt hot anyway, wearing a suit in this weather. Thanks for giving me an excuse to take it off!"
The king's approachable attitude won the players' unanimous approval. Many had feared they were in big trouble for soaking the king, but his easygoing nature put them at ease.
Felipe VI still had events to attend, so he borrowed a jersey from some tall players and planned to wear it to the celebration. Though a bit unroyal, this move won him great favor with fans, boosting his popularity, especially among Spanish football fans.
The players quickly showered, changed into special championship shirts, and returned to the pitch. FIFA staff had placed the World Cup trophy on the stage, its golden glow captivating the Spanish fans.
"I wish we could take this trophy back to Spain and keep it forever!" Torres said greedily.
"Maybe if we win the World Cup one more time, we can!" Ramos replied, his eyes fixed on the trophy.
However, Alonso explained that FIFA rules prevented the permanent possession of the World Cup trophy, even if a team won it three times. This rule was set after Brazil's dominance, ensuring no team could keep the trophy forever.
As the Spanish players chatted, the awards stage was completed. Cameras focused on the stage, ready for the award ceremony to begin.
The first individual award, FIFA's Best Young Player, was unsurprisingly awarded to Lin Quan. At 18, Lin Quan was the standout young player of the tournament, with his performance far surpassing his peers. He walked up to the stage, accepted the trophy, and posed for photos. The silver trophy was heavy, and Lin Quan guessed it might be made of solid silver.
After receiving the trophy from the award presenter, Lin Quan walked to the center of the stage and showed off his trophy to the cameras. It was a silver trophy with a football on top and a square base. Although it looked ordinary, it was quite heavy. Lin Quan weighed it in his hands, estimating it to be over ten pounds, making him wonder if it was made of solid silver. Even if it were pure silver, it wouldn't be worth much, perhaps around 2000 euros.
Although not very valuable, Lin Quan was still very happy. Honors are something no one ever finds too many of.
Next, the Golden Glove award was given to Spain's goalkeeper, Casillas. This was the second time Casillas received this honor. In this World Cup, Spain conceded only four goals in seven matches, the fewest of any team. Additionally, they kept clean sheets in four matches, thanks to Casillas' crucial saves. Casillas walked to the stage, raising the golden glove and waving to the crowd.
Seeing Casillas' golden trophy, Lin Quan looked at his silver trophy and felt a bit envious. Why did the goalkeeper get a golden glove while the best young player only got a silver ball?
Soon, Lin Quan's name was called again. The third award was the Golden Boot for the top scorer of the World Cup. Lin Quan won this award with an absolute advantage of 12 goals.
"Congratulations, Lin, you are truly amazing!" FIFA President Blatter personally presented the award to Lin Quan. When Blatter awarded him the Confederations Cup Golden Ball and Golden Boot a year ago, Lin Quan had told him he hoped to receive an award from him again a year later. Blatter had thought he was joking because to stand on the podium, you had to either win the championship or the Golden Boot. But Lin Quan had indeed accomplished this nearly impossible task!
Seeing Blatter presenting the award again, Lin Quan smiled and said, "You really keep your promises. I hope I can receive an award from you next time too!"
FIFA was about to hold a re-election next year, and Lin Quan's words were a way of wishing Blatter success in his re-election.
The Golden Boot, unlike the Best Young Player award, was made of gold. However, it felt lighter than the silver ball, making Lin Quan suspect it was just gold-plated.
After receiving the trophy, Lin Quan was unsure whether to leave the stage or stay, as the next award was the World Cup Most Valuable Player, also known as the Golden Ball. This award would undoubtedly go to him as well. Eventually, Lin Quan decided to step down and return to his teammates. Holding the Golden Boot while receiving the Golden Ball felt too showy, so he preferred to take it one step at a time.
"Hold this for me!" he said, handing the Golden Boot to Ramos and heading back to the stage for the third time. Ramos looked at the Golden Boot in his hands, admiring it.
As Lin Quan approached the stage for the third time, the crowd burst into laughter and cheers. Commentators around the world couldn't help but chuckle.
"Lin Quan is showing us what it means to win so many awards that your hands are full!"
"He's won three awards on his own, plus the championship medal and trophy. He could practically open a personal trophy room!"
"Considering his league and Champions League awards, he really could!"
Blatter, presenting the award again, jokingly said, "Your prediction was accurate; it's me giving you the award again!"
Lin Quan couldn't help but laugh. If Blatter weren't corrupt, he would have been a good president, supporting the development of football in less developed regions and ensuring the World Cup didn't become dominated by Europe alone. Unfortunately, Blatter's corruption and enemies led to his downfall.
The Golden Ball trophy was even more splendid than the previous ones, fully gold-plated, including the base. It was dazzling but still paled in comparison to the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
After the Golden Ball was awarded, all the individual award winners gathered for a group photo. Although there were four awards, only two players went on stage because Lin Quan had taken three of them! Lin Quan quickly returned to the field, retrieved the Best Young Player award from Torres and the Golden Boot from Ramos.
Ramos, reluctant to part with the Golden Boot, said, "You can't carry them all. Let me keep this one."
Lin Quan laughed, "Sure, but you'll have to come on stage with me for the photo."
Ramos shook his head, "No way, I don't want to embarrass myself!"
He had scored three goals, but that was far from the top scorer. Holding three trophies, Lin Quan returned to the stage, struggling a bit. Casillas saw his awkwardness and couldn't help but laugh.
Lin Quan sighed, "Winning too many awards isn't always a good thing!"
Casillas rolled his eyes at him, thinking, "Is that even a real complaint?"
After the photo session, the German players took turns receiving their runner-up medals from Blatter. Afterward, it was the Spanish players' turn. The 23 Spanish players, wearing red jerseys, excitedly walked to the stage to receive their championship medals.
Captain Casillas carefully lifted the FIFA World Cup Trophy and slowly walked toward his teammates. The players eagerly awaited, extending their arms. Casillas shook the trophy and his body, swaying with his teammates. When he reached the center, he suddenly raised the trophy high! Confetti rained down in Maracanã Stadium, and fireworks lit up the sky. Amidst the colorful fireworks, the joyous laughter of the Spanish players was frozen in that triumphant moment! (End of chapter)