I'm Kaka Kaka

Chapter 249 The end of an era, the beginning of an era

At 12 o'clock on December 12, local time, the draw ceremony for the knockout stage of the European Champions Cup was held at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. Except for Real Madrid's old enemy Bayern, there was no expected strong showdown.

Chelsea, who had just made waves in the summer, drew Stuttgart, Arsenal, which has been killing the Quartet this season, met Celta, Manchester United met the humble Porto, Juventus played against Deportivo, AC Milan played against Sparta, and the rest were Real Sociedad VS Lyon, Lokomotiv VS Monaco.

Basically, except for Real Madrid and Bayern, which are considered to be "early finals", everyone else is very satisfied.

Only Kaka is mourning for Manchester United...

Three days later, the eyes of fans all over the world turned to Switzerland again, but this time it was Basel.

The 2003 World Footballer Award Ceremony will be held here.

Although the gold content is not as high as the European Footballer, it is the highest individual honor selected by FIFA. The World Footballer can basically be regarded as the second-ranked individual award in the football world.

As always, the three candidates have been subject to huge controversy, especially Shevchenko, who helped Milan win the Triple Crown as an absolute hero last season, and Henry, who was brilliant in the Confederations Cup and led Arsenal to triumph this season, and even led the team to a 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League group stage.

Fortunately, there is Kaka.

The club has the Triple Crown, the national team also has the Gold Cup, and Kaka has played a decisive role in all of them. Kaka's election is definitely expected, but considering the wonderful tastes of the coaches of various countries, the final result is really hard to say.

Shortly before the award ceremony began, Zidane and Ronaldo arrived in Basel by private jet, accompanied by Florentino and Valdano, and Real Madrid once again stole the show.

It is worth mentioning that, except for Rivaldo in 1999, the FIFA World Player of the Year since 1996 is now playing for Real Madrid, which shows how brilliant the Galacticos are.

What drove the reporters crazy was that Kaka, as always, kept a low profile, sneaking into the scene almost surreptitiously.

Ronaldinho and Henry did not know when they got together and were chatting vigorously. When they saw Kaka, they immediately waved at him.

Kaka walked over, hugged him, and said, "How is Barcelona?"

"Great," Ronaldinho grinned, showing his big white teeth, and introduced, "Thierry Henry, you should know."

"Of course, it's just the first time we met." Kaka smiled and stretched out his hand to Henry.

Henry shook it, and also said with a smile: "I have a hunch that you will be the winner."

"Lend your auspicious words."

Xiao Luo said: "You are the protagonist, why are you here so late?"

"Go to the United States to do something first," Kaka changed the topic, "What were you talking about just now?"

"We're talking about tomorrow's game," Henry said, "You will also participate?"

Kaka nodded and said, "Of course."

The United Nations Development Program organized a charity match. The players were organized by Ronaldo and Zidane, which is the legendary Ronaldo Friends Team and Zidane Friends Team.

Henry shrugged, "I still hope to be a teammate with you once."

Kaka smiled and said: "I heard from Ronnie that it will be held every year in the future. Next time you come to our side."

Zidane, who was walking over, turned black.

Nima, is there such a pull?

Ronaldo + Henry + Kaka, is this a charity match or a torture match?

Da Luo was very happy, and patted Henry on the shoulder from behind, "That's it, you will come to our side next year."

Henry was taken aback, and just about to agree, Qi Zu had already called out, "No, no, unless you give Kaka to me next year."

Henry: "..."

Kaka: "..."

Although other awards will be presented tonight, the main event is undoubtedly the World Player of the Year. The three candidates are talking and laughing here, which naturally attracts the attention of the audience. Kaka saw Florentino approaching, so he quickly found an excuse and slipped away.

He doesn't want to have anything to do with the old man yet.

Henry also thought similarly, and this small circle soon disintegrated.

The ceremony begins.

Zidane, Ronaldo and Kaka sat in the front row.

Da Luo is in the middle, Qi Zu and Kaka are separated on the left and right.

"nervous?"

Ronaldo has already staged a hat-trick of the World Footballer of the Year, and probably knows his own 2003, so he is very relaxed. The host has already started the opening remarks, and he is still in the mood to ask Kaka with a smile.

"Relax, you are at least No.3, and you are already far ahead of others," Da Luo said, "You are just 21 years old."

"...how old were you when you first won the prize?"

"Can't remember," Ronaldo thought for a while, "20 years old?"

"Then you use your age to comfort me?"

"Okay, but you still have hope of catching up with me in the Golden Globes. I was 21 years old when I won the award."

"That's probably not going to happen," Kaka said. "Shevchenko, Maldini, and Henry all have great hopes."

"Who will know until the answer is revealed?"

Just as Kaka was about to answer, the audience suddenly burst into warm applause, and the heads of the three appeared on the big screen.

The host just announced the top three World Footballers of the Year selected by the head coaches of various countries and regions, and the three quickly showed standard smirks.

But the first to be awarded is the FIFA President's Special Award.

The winner was Iraq.

A country is in the midst of war, almost can't even afford sneakers, and still manages to win the magic team of the Chinese team.

After that comes the fair play award.

The winner was a fan of Glasgow Celtic club...

In the UEFA Cup final last season, Celtic lost to Porto, but the 3 Celtic fans in Sevilla were in order, so FIFA paid tribute to them with this award.

Next up is the Most Improved Team, awarded to Bahrain.

Then there was the best team in 2003, which was elected to the Brazil team.

Then there was Miss World Football, won by the German women's football player Prinz, this is the first time she won the honor, followed by Mia Hamm and the Swedish women's football player Ljungberg.

Finally, the highlight of tonight, the World Footballer.

Zidane, Ronaldo and Kaka once again appeared on live cameras and on the big screen.

Zidane is 31, Ronaldo is 27 and Kaka is 21.

One era is coming to an end and another is about to begin.

(End of this chapter)