Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

178 – Ballon d’Or

178

Since its establishment in 1956, the Ballon d’Or has become an award with immense prestige, having already produced 80 winners this year.

For soccer players, the most coveted title is the Champions League in the professional league and the World Cup in the national team, but these are team trophies. The most glorious and prestigious individual trophy is the Ballon d’Or.

As the award ceremony approached, people’s interest naturally grew, and what fueled the excitement even more was the high possibility of achieving several “first” records.

『The 30 finalists for the Ballon d’Or are announced!』

『Julieta becomes the 2nd Korean defender in history to be included in the 30 finalists, following Kim Min-jae.』

『Jo Jae-sin, who recorded 20 goals and 11 assists in his first season at Arsenal, has his name listed as a Ballon d’Or finalist!』

『Seol Ki-hyun, Park Ji-sung, Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, and Lee Kang-in have all achieved this feat!』

『Japan has 1, Iraq has 1! Asia has produced 7 Ballon d’Or finalists, showcasing the strength of Korean soccer!』

It’s rare for an Asian soccer player to be included in the 30 finalists for the Ballon d’Or.

Looking at Asia as a whole, excluding Korean players, only Japan’s Hidetoshi Nakata and Iraq’s Younis Mahmoud have achieved this feat, but this time, two Asian players were simultaneously selected as finalists.

However, it’s not uncommon for Asian players to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or’s top 30. Although it may seem like a special event, it’s actually receiving unusual attention for another reason.

『Is Juzi Tai likely to become the first Asian player to win the Ballon d’Or?』

『Football experts say his chances are high』

『Will a defender win the award for the first time in 29 years, following Franz Beckenbauer, Matthias Sammer, and Fabio Cannavaro?』

The possibility of him winning is higher than ever.

Although Asian players have been nominated for the top 30 before, none of them have been strong contenders for the award. Last year, Juzi Tai made it to the final three, but Fernando Alvarez’s win was almost certain, so no one thought he had a chance.

But this time, it’s different.

Juzi Tai defeated last year’s Ballon d’Or winner Fernando Alvarez three times, achieving a perfect victory both individually and as a team, and even led the quadruple win. As the first Asian player and the fourth defender to win the Ballon d’Or in nearly 30 years, following Franz Beckenbauer in 1972, Matthias Sammer in 1996, and Fabio Cannavaro in 2006, the expectation is high.

The anticipation of the first Asian player and the fourth defender to win the Ballon d’Or is heading to the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on November 1st.

* * *

Juzi Tai and Jo Yeoshin headed to the Théâtre du Châtelet together.

Unlike last time, when Jo Yeoshin attended as his fiancée, this time was different.

“Hehe, how do I look?”

“You look pretty.”

“How pretty?”

“Very pretty.”

“Where?”

“…You’re pretty all over.”

“What’s changed?”

“…What?”

Because the luxury brand Charlotte, which has a high reputation in Europe but lower recognition in Asia, selected Juzi Tai and Jo Yeoshin as their Asian ambassadors.

As a result, Jo Yeoshin’s popularity has been rising daily.

“Hehe, now I can skip school and no one will say anything~”

Jo Yeoshin, with her stunning beauty.

Just like Juzi Tai, who was born with football talent, Jo Yeoshin was born with the talent of beauty. Even without much effort, she has always had a radiant appearance.

Of course, that doesn’t mean she didn’t take care of herself at all.

Like any woman who pursues beauty, Jo Yeoshin has always taken care of herself. But after becoming Charlotte’s ambassador, she received more professional care, and her beauty became even more captivating.

As a result, the camera flashes towards Jo Yeoshin, who entered the Théâtre du Châtelet with Juzi Tai, were quite explosive.

“Hehe, I’m so pretty, right? Everyone says I’m pretty, pretty.”

“Where? No one says that.”

“I know, don’t I? C’est joli? That means ‘pretty’ in French. I know.”

“Yes, you’re the prettiest.”

“Hehehe.”

“…It’s annoying.”

As Juzi Tai and Jo Yeoshin, with their dazzling beauty, caught people’s attention, Jo Jaeshin, who followed behind them, stuck out her lips.

“I’m going to contact Lana and see if she wants to meet up.”

“Do you still meet up with Lana Formel these days?”

“What are you talking about? You’re the one who caused trouble, so we didn’t meet up.”

“Kid, you’re just like Dongja Gong, aren’t you? Look at him. He focused on soccer and even made it to the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist.”

“What’s with Dongja Gong?”

Joo Ji-tae replied confidently.

“What’s wrong with that? Look at me. I focused on soccer and got engaged, but I still received the Ballon d’Or. You’re not distracted by women, are you? You know that as a soccer player, your peak is only for a short time, right? Think about it carefully.”

“…Hasn’t the announcement been made yet?”

Joo Ji-tae looked at Jo Jae-shin’s hesitant expression and forced a smile.

Kid, you’re just like Dongja Gong.

Fernando Alvarez came in second for three years in a row, but being second in the world is a huge deal. It means he has immense potential.

If he works even harder, his talent will bloom faster and reach new heights.

And he needs to develop—

“I won the Champions League, but the World Cup is next… It’s not easy to do it alone, no matter who I am.”

Can’t he win the World Cup with Korea?

Joo Ji-tae patted Jo Jae-shin’s shoulder.

“Just bear with it for now, Jae-shin. Later, I’ll introduce you to a beautiful girl.”

The awards ceremony proceeded quickly.

Third place was Oliver Negredo of Manchester City, who scored 460 points. Although his team only made it to the league semifinals and Champions League quarterfinals, Oliver Negredo’s performance was impressive.

As a defensive midfielder, he was known for his exceptional skills, and his contributions to Manchester City’s league runner-up and FA Cup win were immense.

Unfortunately, his achievements were overshadowed by Joo Ji-tae’s perfect performance.

Second place was Fernando Alvarez with 580 points.

Based on last season’s performance and achievements, Joo Ji-tae’s win was a given, but since the Ballon d’Or is decided by votes, the voters’ psychology is also important.

Some people thought Fernando Alvarez might win due to the “Asian winner” bias, but in the end, he came in second.

As Real Madrid’s ace and the best attacker after Messi, he led his team to the league semifinals and Champions League runner-up with an incredible 62 goals last season.

Including assists, his total attacking points reached 80, which would have guaranteed the Ballon d’Or if not for another player who surpassed him.

“And the Ballon d’Or winner is… Congratulations! It’s Joo Ji-tae of Barcelona! Joo Ji-tae played a crucial role in Barcelona’s quadruple win and scored 613 points.”

The audience erupted in applause and cheers.

Joo Ji-tae naturally walked up to the stage and received the golden trophy.

“Hello, I’m Joo Ji-tae.”

Wooo!!

The applause and cheers continued.

With a faint smile, Joo Ji-tae scanned the ceremony hall and began his acceptance speech.

He was overjoyed to have received the award he had dreamed of since childhood, and he couldn’t have done it without his team, colleagues, family, friends, and loving fiancée….

As he continued his speech, his gaze fell on Fernando Alvarez, who was sitting in the front row, staring up at him with burning eyes.

“I was sitting down here last year, listening to the Ballon d’Or winner’s speech. I looked up at the stage, holding the golden trophy, and vowed to stand there next time. I’ll be the one standing alone when everyone else is seated. But… it’s the opposite today.”

The camera followed Joo Ji-tae’s gaze, focusing on Fernando Alvarez sitting in the front row, looking up at him.

The scene was the opposite of last year’s.

“Last year’s winner said that he still had something to prove. He said he would prove himself as the true Ballon d’Or winner. I’ll say the same thing. I still have something to prove. I’ll prove myself as the true Ballon d’Or winner… and I’ll stand here again next year.”