Fox in the Penalty Area

17th

Renaldo Lima, led by his agent Igor Araujo, took a car to Kabangka’s home for a party.

We are all Brazilian players, club teammates, and have the same agent, so the relationship is naturally extraordinary.

While enjoying dinner, they chatted happily.

"It's been almost ten days. Are you still used to everything here?"

Kabangka is concerned about the life issues of his little brother.

"It's okay, my family is with me," Lima replied.

"That's really enviable... When I first came to Europe, I was the only one." Kabangka said with emotion.

Lima scratched his head: "Actually, it's not necessarily a good thing. At least I'm not that free now..."

Kabangca and his agent Araujo both laughed.

After finishing laughing, Kabangka said seriously to Lima: "It is a good thing to be more strict. Your adaptation period in Europe is very critical."

But he did not continue to talk in depth on this topic. Instead, he quickly changed the topic and continued to engage in family affairs and chat.

When the time was almost up, agent Araujo stood up and turned on the TV.

This move surprised Lima.

It wasn't until the screen turned on and he saw Hulett's writing in the middle that he realized - today is FIFA's annual awards ceremony!

But he still wondered - why should we watch an awards ceremony that has nothing to do with us?

Unlike the European Ballon d'Or, only the final winner of FIFA's awards ceremony receives a trophy.

For example, there is only one trophy for World Footballer, which is awarded to the final winner. The other runners are really "running with them" and their trip is in vain.

So there will be a situation - a player realizes that his chances of winning the World Footballer of the Year are very slim, then he may find an excuse not to attend the award ceremony.

This situation usually occurs when his opponent may win a prize, and he does not want to support his opponent.

Kabangka did not attend the FIFA awards ceremony this time, not because he did not want to support Hu Lai.

Mainly because he didn't make the final three candidates at all.

Based on Kabangka's performance last year, it is indeed impossible to enter the top three.

From 2028 to 202, the league failed to win even one championship.

His performance in the 202 season was quite good, but his outstanding performance in just half a year was obviously unable to defeat Hulay, Melly and Becker.

So the final three candidates for this year's FIFA World Player of the Year are these three, and they have nothing to do with Kabangka.

Since it has nothing to do with Kabangka, why bother watching it?

Anyway, if it has nothing to do with myself, I would rather go to play games or go to the bar... Lima thought in her heart.

However, he was a guest and it was not convenient for him to give instructions on the host's arrangements.

Then take a look.

In the live TV broadcast, the host of Spanish TV was still guessing who would win the World Footballer.

Agent Araujo snorted: "Pretentious! Is there any suspense here?"

Not only does he think so, everyone around the world feels that based on Hu Lai's performance last year, the World Footballer trophy belongs to him.

But Kabangka joked: "That's not necessarily the case, Igor. In the world, Meli is still more famous than Hulay. What if everyone still wants to vote for Meli?"

"That will be the biggest crisis since the creation of the World Footballer Award." Araujo said.

Lima heard the conversation between the two people and asked Kabangka: "Kendor, do you hope Hu wins the award?"

"This is not something I hope or not, Renado. This is a certain thing - Hu will definitely win the World Footballer." Kabangka said. "Whether I wish it or not, whether I wish it or not, it doesn't change this fact."

Lima wanted to ask: Since nothing can be changed, what else do you want to see? I thought you wanted to wait for a miracle, Hu Lai finally missed the World Footballer...

But he didn't say the words.

He just followed Kabangka and watched the live TV broadcast.

In the TV broadcast, Hu Lai and Li Qingqing were shown in the same frame.

Host Sanchez laughed:

"There are many player couples in world football, but they are probably the most special couple. They are the absolute core of the rivalry in the same city...I am really curious, after their teams beat each other, what should they do again?" How to get along...ha!"

※※※

Hu Lai and Li Qingqing sat next to each other.

One of them was selected into the final three candidates for World Footballer, and the other was selected into the final three candidates for Miss World Football.

After two people won the European Ballon d'Or at the same time last August, this time they are likely to win the World Footballer/Miss World Footballer at the same time.

In the camera, Hu Lai and Li Qingqing looked left and right, observing the situation at the venue.

And when their eyes meet, they will stay for one or two seconds longer, look at each other affectionately, and finally end with a sweet smile.

Melly was sitting next to Hu Lai, and he could smell the sweet smell in the air without turning his head.

Although he already had a girlfriend, Melly couldn't help but feel a little envious.

After all, his girlfriend Sylvia could only sit in the audience at the back at this time.

But Hu Lai's girlfriend can sit next to him, hold hands with him, and talk and laugh happily.

Meili really didn't expect that after having a girlfriend, she would be able to eat the "dog food" forced by Hu Lai at close range...

He could only maintain his posture of staring forward at the main stage, unblinking and very focused.

In fact, like Kabangka, he knew before coming to Zurich that he would definitely not win the World Footballer.

After all, Hu Lai's performance last year was too outstanding.

He himself knows very well that he has no outstanding results that can compete with Hu Lai.

Although his impression of Hu Lai was not good, Meili did not stop coming just because he was definitely not going to win the award.

He still appeared at the award ceremony with Becker and witnessed Hulay reaching the pinnacle of his career.

For him, it was a complete failure. But he will not be depressed by this failure. He believes that he will definitely make a comeback!

※※※

When various awards were presented previously, although Xie Lan people were sitting in front of the TV, they lowered their heads and browsed their mobile phones, and did not pay attention to the live broadcast content.

It wasn't until the final winners of Miss World Football and World Footballer were announced that she finally put down her phone and looked at the TV screen.

Hu Lixin felt his wife's concentration and couldn't help but curiously asked: "Is there any other outcome besides Hu Lai and Li Qingqing?"

"How is this accurate?" Xie Lan snorted, "Who knows if those foreigners have their minds filled with water? In last year's selection, our son's performance was different, and he didn't even make it into the top three? Besides, What if people just don’t want Chinese players to win the World Footballer title? Wouldn’t it make those foreigners lose face?”

Why couldn't Hu Lixin hear the sarcasm in his wife's tone? He waved his hands in confusion: "No, no... FIFA still wants to show some face."

"I don't dare to think so well of them."

Xie Lan was still staring at the TV screen nervously.

Miss World Football has no suspense at all.

Li Qingqing, who led the Madrid Kings Women's Football Team to defend the Champions League and League titles last season, once again won this honor.

When the winner of the World Footballer Award was announced, Hu Lixin simply grabbed his wife's hand.

Xie Lan glanced at him in surprise: "What are you doing? Are you nervous too?"

Hu Lixin shook his head: "No, I'm afraid you'll be too excited."

His wife rolled her eyes and was too lazy to pay attention to him.

On TV, the award presenter opened the envelope, took a look at the name inside, and then laughed.

"This smile...is evil!" Xie Lan frowned, having already thought of the bad consequences in advance.

But she was "slapped in the face" immediately afterwards.

The award-winning guest put his mouth in front of the microphone:

"Congratulations to 202...Hu Lai!"

※※※

"Congratulations to Julay from Madrid Pirates!" Sanchez read out Julay's full name. "He became 202. Like Mellie Banega last year, he also became the first player to win the European Golden Globe Award and the World Cup in one year. A player with two top honors as Footballer of the Year!”

Thunderous applause came from the TV.

Just now, the award-winning guest read out Hu Lai's name.

He stood up from his seat, fastened a button on his suit, and stepped onto the stage, ready to accept the honor.

His expression was very calm and he didn't look very excited.

When he walked onto the stage, Meili and Becker who were sitting below were applauding Hu Lai. They still had to show off in front of the camera.

Kabangka, who was not facing the camera, did not have to act. He did not applaud, but just watched with a serious expression.

Lima was not like Kabangka, who felt sour and on pins and needles watching Hulay win the World Footballer trophy.

Finally I couldn't help but ask: "Why should we watch others win awards?"

Kabangka continued to stare at the TV screen and said: "Because this is the opponent we want to defeat, Renaldo. Whether you like it or not, he is there. If you don't even have the courage to look at him, how can you defeat him? he?"

He meant something, but he didn't say it too directly.

Lima seemed to understand what Kabangka meant. He stopped asking questions and stared at the TV screen in silence with Kabangka.