Chapter 646: The Rise of the Red Dynasty
Bruno stood up with a beaming smile, kissed Liu Yimei gently on her forehead, high-fived Harry Kane and other familiar teammates, and strode confidently to the stage. From FIFA President Gianni Infantino, he received the FIFA Men's Player of the Year trophy.
"Congratulations, my boy!" Infantino said warmly, embracing Bruno. "I hope you keep striving forward. We all believe you've begun an era that's truly yours."
The room erupted in thunderous applause.
Bruno thanked Infantino, then turned to the microphone to address the audience.
"I am overwhelmed with excitement right now," he began. "This is the second time in my career that I've received this incredible honor. I'd like to thank FIFA, President Infantino, and everyone who voted for me—journalists, national team coaches, captains, and all the fans. Thank you!"
The applause intensified.
"This trophy does not belong solely to me but to my teammates at both the Portuguese national team and Manchester United, as well as all the fans who have supported me.
"The past season felt like a dream come true. Together with my teammates at Manchester United, we achieved miraculous things—we won everything. And with the Portuguese national team, under Cristiano's leadership, we climbed to the summit of football, winning the World Cup—the pinnacle for any professional player."
Bruno's voice grew more passionate:
"Many people might think that this is the peak, the highest point a footballer can reach. But I want to tell Manchester United fans, Portuguese fans, and everyone who supports me—this is only the beginning!"
"I dedicate this trophy to my Manchester United teammates, the players of the Portuguese national team, and all Manchester United and Portuguese fans. Let us work together to open an era belonging to Manchester United and Portuguese football!"
Finally, Bruno said with emotion, "I also want to thank my parents and family for their unwavering support."
He stepped back, raised the trophy high above his head, and gave a heartfelt nod of gratitude to the audience.
Once again, the theater roared with applause.
The Dawn of a New Era
Three years ago, Bruno had led underdog Udinese to European glory, breaking the seven-year duopoly of Messi and Ronaldo on the Ballon d'Or and FIFA's Player of the Year awards. That victory announced his arrival as one of the top three players in the world alongside the two legends.
But tonight, by lifting the FIFA Player of the Year trophy again, Bruno signaled that the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo was coming to an end. A new football king—Bruno Fernandes—was ready to take the throne.
At 33, Ronaldo was entering the twilight of his career. Having left Real Madrid for Juventus over the summer, he distanced himself from the sport's highest honors. Messi, though still at Barcelona, was facing similar challenges. At 31, he had watched Barcelona lose their competitive edge following the departures of Xavi, Neymar, and Iniesta. Their premature exit from the Champions League's Round of 16 and Messi's omission from both the FIFA FIFPro World XI and the top five of this year's Player of the Year rankings were stark indicators.
With Bruno's decisive victory, the FIFA ceremony confirmed the shift.
Dominance in Voting
Bruno's win was overwhelming. He earned 52.87% of the votes, far surpassing Ronaldo's 19.08%, while Harry Kane, the third-place finisher, garnered less than 10%.
The timing of the voting played a crucial role. Held shortly after the World Cup, Bruno's dominant performances in the tournament and the Champions League significantly boosted his standing.
For Messi, the World Cup had been disappointing—Argentina struggled in the group stage and was eliminated by France in the Round of 16. Comparatively, Ronaldo's six goals and Bruno's seven goals and three assists in Portugal's World Cup-winning campaign left Messi far behind.
A Season to Remember
Bruno's 2017-2018 season at Manchester United was historic. As captain and midfield maestro, he led United to an undefeated season across 65 matches, claiming six major trophies: the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield, Champions League, and UEFA Super Cup.
Individually, Bruno dominated every award in the Premier League—earning the Golden Boot, Playmaker of the Season, and Player of the Season honors. His 41 goals and 23 assists in 38 league matches also secured the European Golden Shoe.
In comparison, Ronaldo's Real Madrid, despite his 15 Champions League goals, faltered in La Liga and was defeated by Bruno's United in the Champions League final. Ronaldo's lack of domestic and international club success solidified Bruno's victory.
The Runner-Ups
Harry Kane: The English striker had a remarkable season with Manchester United, scoring 44 goals in 50 matches across all competitions. His leadership helped England reach the World Cup semifinals, earning him the tournament's Bronze Boot.Mohamed Salah: Salah's 44 goals in 52 appearances propelled Liverpool to the Europa League final, though they lost to Atlético Madrid. His individual brilliance made him a deserving top-five candidate.Luka Modrić: Modrić played a pivotal role in Real Madrid's Champions League campaign and Croatia's impressive World Cup run to the quarterfinals, further cementing his legacy.
Manchester United's Reign
This year's awards highlighted Manchester United's dominance:
Bruno Fernandes claimed the top prize.Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé ranked in the top five.N'Golo Kanté, Harry Maguire, and others secured spots in the top 10 or 20.
The evening ended with a clear message: Bruno Fernandes was not only the best player in the world, but Manchester United had firmly established itself as football's dominant force.
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