"Gao Shen!"
When England manager Roy Hodgson announced Gao Shen's name without suspense, the entire Zurich Opera House erupted in applause. Even Messi and other Barcelona players were applauding Gao Shen.
Gao Shen was not surprised. He stood up, straightened his suit, hugged his wife Su Qing in her elegant evening gown, then embraced Ferguson, Heynckes, and others beside him before leaving his seat.
Before going on stage, Gao Shen shook hands and hugged Real Madrid president Florentino, Valdano, Butragueño, and Zidane one by one, followed by Real Madrid players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Di María.
Tonight in Zurich, Real Madrid had the largest contingent of any club.
They had just won the Champions League and placed seven players in the FIFPro World XI, the most of any team.
Goalkeeper: Casillas.
Defenders: Marcelo, Pepe, Ramos, and Alves.
Midfielders: Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, and Ribéry.
Forwards: Di María, Ronaldo, and Messi.
Seven spots in the best eleven showed Real Madrid's overall strength.
Everyone agreed that Real Madrid had been the most dominant team in Europe last season.
Real Madrid chartered a plane to Zurich, with Florentino and other executives leading the group. The presence was imposing.
It was also worth noting that Real Madrid youngster Paul Pogba made the top 25 in the Ballon d'Or voting.
This made him one of the brightest of Real Madrid's new generation.
Thanks to his performances at Leeds United in the first half of the year, his displays at the World Youth Championship in the summer, and his form after joining Real Madrid, Pogba ranked 22nd in the Ballon d'Or voting, slightly ahead of Ramos.
He had traveled to Zurich with the team.
…
Gao Shen strode onto the stage amid applause.
Roy Hodgson handed him the trophy solemnly, and warm applause rose again.
This was not Gao Shen's first time on this stage, and the Men's Coach of the Year was not the highest-profile award, but he was still excited.
Because this was the highest honor for a professional head coach.
"A huge thank you to FIFA and France Football, and a huge thank you to everyone who supported me."
It was a classic opening.
"I have always felt that in a team sport, it is hard to receive individual honors, because every success belongs not only to an individual, but to the entire team, the entire club, and everyone who worked with us during this period."
Gao Shen thanked everyone at Real Madrid, his coaching staff, and the players.
"I am honored to coach the best team in the world and to have the best group of players. We work hard together to present wonderful football to the fans and keep winning matches."
"I want to say that we are an ever-victorious team. Our history is only beginning to be written. I dream that we can achieve even more brilliant results in the future."
"Finally, thank you all."
His speech drew warm applause once again.
Everyone could feel the ambition in Gao Shen's heart.
He was not satisfied with his current honors. He wanted more.
Gao Shen left the stage amid applause as Brazil's five-time World Cup winning representatives came on to promote the upcoming World Cup.
The King of Football, Pelé, spoke first. He praised Gao Shen as the Pelé of the coaching world.
Both Android and Apple are available.
Gao Shen, halfway down the steps, turned back quickly and nodded to Pelé with humility.
…
The rest of the ceremony had little to do with Real Madrid.
Pelé received the FIFA Ballon d'Or tonight.
It was a newly created award this year, presented by FIFA President Blatter and L'Équipe Group President Molinier.
Pelé deserved it.
It represented the highest honor in football history.
There was little suspense about the main prize.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid won the FIFA Ballon d'Or, breaking Messi's years-long hold on the trophy. He also surpassed Eusébio and Figo to become the first Portuguese player to win the Ballon d'Or twice.
The Portuguese star was so emotional that he cried when he received the trophy from Pelé and Blatter.
It had been five years since he won FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d'Or in 2008.
He had waited five long years.
On stage, Ronaldo thanked everyone, including his family, coaches, and teammates.
He singled out his current coach, Gao Shen.
"I still remember in the summer of 2012, when we first met, you told me you were here to help me win the Ballon d'Or. I chose you immediately."
"Right now I am emotional, but I still want to say, Boss, thank you."
Applause broke out again.
Behind every Ballon d'Or there is a successful, great team, often built by the head coach, but in professional football the head coach is often overlooked.
Gao Shen was the exception.
Wherever he went, he was the brightest focus, even at star-studded Real Madrid.
…
After the ceremony, everyone attended the FIFA banquet.
It felt more like a Real Madrid celebration.
Gao Shen was easily the busiest person there.
Many came to toast him, including Barcelona executives and players like Messi.
Though they battled fiercely on the pitch, off the pitch they got along well.
This was their way.
Had Messi won tonight, Gao Shen and all at Real Madrid would certainly have congratulated him.
In the end, Su Qing and the other women became focal points of the evening.
Even standing with Irina, Antonella, or Shakira, Su Qing remained the most striking presence, drawing frequent attention.
Gao Shen was surrounded by Ferguson, Heynckes, Ancelotti, and others.
Players had their circle, coaches had theirs.
Otherwise, why would top coaches have been reluctant to take over at Chelsea after Ancelotti was sacked?
"To be honest, judging from this year's Ballon d'Or rankings, Real Madrid is now truly a worthy Galácticos," Hodgson said admiringly.
In both star power and placement, Real Madrid was a true giant.
This also reflected polished operations.
"Judging from the age structure, there are at least five more years of glory," Ferguson said with certainty.
Ancelotti nodded.
In five years, Ronaldo would only be 33. With his discipline and attributes, playing on would not be a problem.
More importantly, after Ronaldo, a new generation was emerging at Real Madrid, such as Jesé and Morata.
Pogba and Verratti had impressed in midfield, and Toni Kroos was not old either.
"Please do not flatter us too much. Our current difficulty is no less than before. In fact, the pressure will be even greater," Gao Shen said calmly.
It is hard to conquer an empire, harder still to keep it.
Real Madrid had conquered new ground, but holding it would not be easy.
Especially with players, the hardest part to control.
Everyone nodded. They had all been there.
Like Ancelotti, who reached his peak at AC Milan in 2007, only for the team to decline afterward, which hurt his reputation at the club.
Had he retired in 2007, perhaps it would have been different.
Knowing when to step back is an art.
It was not Gao Shen's time to leave, because this Real Madrid still had great untapped potential. But how to curb complacency after success was the next challenge.
"I think it is simple and difficult at the same time. One thing is essential. As soon as you see signs, nip them in the bud. Do not wait until it is out of control, or it will be too late," Ferguson warned.
Guardiola was too soft-hearted back then. Otherwise, he would not have left Barcelona so early.
If he had been more ruthless, not necessarily selling players, but at least giving stern warnings, many problems could have been avoided.
But Guardiola could be too emotional.
Gao Shen understood.
Right now, he had fought alongside this Real Madrid group, won honors together, and faced tough challenges together. The bond was special.
If he were asked to sell his favorites like Di María, Modric, Toni Kroos, Xabi Alonso, or Ramos, would he be willing?
Of course, if they performed poorly, he would be ruthless when necessary.
But it was easier said than done.
"No matter what, this is a challenge," Gao Shen said with fighting spirit.
With Real Madrid's current squad and age structure, five years of continued glory should be attainable.
Gao Shen was confident.
He would also assess the situation himself.
If things became irreparable, he would consider stepping away.
There was no need to sacrifice his entire reputation.
But before that, he would do everything to maximize the potential of the Galácticos he had built.
He even wanted to conquer a vast territory in European football in the coming years.
Ferguson, Heynckes, Ancelotti, and the others looked at Gao Shen with envy. It was good to be young.
At the same time, they could not help but notice how few teams in Europe could truly challenge this Real Madrid.
Ancelotti's Paris Saint-Germain might be one.
With a world-class coach and deep pockets, they could achieve something.
(To be continued.)
***
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