Standing behind the barricade in the hall, a few kids raised their hands and screamed at the top of their lungs.
There was a palpable excitement as the awards gala was graced by the who’s who of world football — Neymar, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Lamine Yamal, Thibaut Courtois — as well as legendary former players Alessandro Del Piero and Rio Ferdinand.
While each one of these stars was greeted with loud cheers, the excitement reached fever pitch when Cristiano Ronaldo took the centre stage as cries of ‘siuuuu’ — the famous goal celebration of the Portuguese legend — reverberated around the hall.
Barely a month away from celebrating his 40th birthday, Ronaldo showed how advancing years have failed to make a dent in his star power.
Like a classic centre forward who rules the penalty box with predatory instincts, Ronaldo pounced on the opportunity to hit out at French Football, the football magazine which presents the Ballon d’Or, football's Oscars, to the best player of the season
Honest awards
This story is from the December 30, 2024 edition of Khaleej Times.
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This story is from the December 30, 2024 edition of Khaleej Times.
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