Reporters swarmed the pitch like a tidal wave.
Although Zidane, who had completed a hat trick, was officially named Man of the Match, even more journalists crowded around Su Hang.
Reporter: "Su, this is insane! You've just won the treble!"
Su Hang: "No, it's the quadruple. Don't forget—we also won the Supercopa de España at the start of the season!"
Reporter: "Right, quadruple champions! How did you manage it?"
Su Hang: "When we crushed Arsenal earlier this season, I had a feeling this day would come. Honestly, only results like this are worthy of a squad like Real Madrid's."
"This is what everyone has always wanted to see."
"Because so many people supported us, we were able to make it happen."
"So I want to thank all the fans who've stood by us through everything! We're the best team—and you are the best fans!"
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause.
Even the toughest reporters had no heart to argue with him about whether Real Madrid really was the best.
Right, right—you win, you decide.
Reporter: "What do you think about Zidane's performance tonight?"
Su Hang: "Honestly, nothing much to say. That's simply the level Zidane should be at."
Reporter: "And in your eyes, what level is that?"
Su Hang: "I don't think he should be seen as just France's King of Football."
The reporters froze.
So… was Su Hang saying Zidane should be the King of Football—the best in the world?
Was he declaring Zidane the third-generation Ballon d'Or king?
And who was Su Hang to make that call?
What right did he have to decide that?
Of course, most assumed he was just overly excited after winning his first Champions League, talking nonsense out of pure joy.
No one took it too seriously.
Soon after, the front pages of major newspapers blazed across the world:
AS: "Supreme Reign! Treble Secured! Real Madrid annihilate Barcelona 5–0, becoming the first true treble winners of the new millennium!"
Marca: "Quadruple Champions! Supercopa de España, Copa del Rey, La Liga, Champions League—Real Madrid win every competition they entered this season!"
Bild: "An Unstoppable 5–0! From today, European football officially enters the Real Madrid era!"
Kicker: "Stars Aligned! Zidane's Hat Trick Earns Man of the Match! Su Hang with Two Assists and a Goal, Raúl Scores Twice Off the Bench, Figo Adds One!"
Sky Sports: "Barcelona once again set the record for the largest margin of defeat in a Champions League final—their previous being a 4–0 loss to AC Milan!"
France Football: "Ronaldinho's Waterloo! Has Zidane reclaimed the title of the world's best midfielder?"
Record: "A thousand soldiers are easy to find, but a true general is rare! In their first season under new captain Su Hang, Real Madrid achieve an epic triumph!"
The London Globe: "Captain Su Hang—the final piece of the Galácticos' puzzle! He's both the lucky spark within their strength and the strength that makes their luck matter!"
The Times: "A New Striker King! From 4 goals and 3 assists to 12 goals and 4 assists, Su Hang claims the Champions League Golden Boot! Twelve goals in a single campaign—matching Van Nistelrooy's record!"
Even this first wave of coverage sent shockwaves through the football world.
This year's king wears white!
This year's royal champion—his name is Hang!
Even Ronaldo, who had returned to Brazil early under the pretext of treatment and to prepare with the national team, immediately posted a video of himself in tears of joy.
Ronaldo shouted, "We are the champions!"
It was the first time in his career he had claimed this long-sought honor.
Despite his struggles in league play, Ronaldo had played a crucial role in Real Madrid's Champions League journey—especially in the dramatic series against Inter Milan, their toughest challenge of the season.
...
On the pitch, the awards podium was ready.
Barcelona's medal ceremony ended quickly and quietly.
If finishing second was already the ultimate humiliation,
then watching your greatest rivals lift the trophy was the ultimate double kill.
Truthfully, no one looked more frustrated than Ronaldinho.
But his easygoing nature meant he didn't dwell too long on it.
Even though he had been shut down by Su Hang every time they met this season, he bore no resentment.
If not this year, then next.
The Galácticos might have shined tonight, but they were aging—next year, they might start falling apart.
Ronaldinho, on the other hand, was still on the rise.
Eto'o, however, was completely broken.
He was supposed to be the Real Madrid killer.
He had joined Barcelona specifically to defeat them—only to lose on all three fronts.
The humiliation was unbearable.
As he stepped off the podium, he ripped off his medal and flung it into the crowd.
...
Then came Real Madrid's turn.
Before the team lifted the trophy, Su Hang was first called forward to receive the Champions League Top Scorer award.
With twelve goals, he had tied Van Nistelrooy's single-season record.
Shevchenko finished second with nine goals, Ronaldinho third with seven, and Eto'o and Trezeguet tied for fourth with six apiece.
Notably, the award was presented by Jérôme Valcke, senior assistant to FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
His presence signaled FIFA's direct attention.
After all, less than a month remained before the 2006 World Cup in Germany kicked off—
this was both a symbolic handover between UEFA and FIFA and an effort to maintain their fragile peace.
In truth, though, UEFA President Lennart Johansson and FIFA President Joseph Blatter were at each other's throats.
Blatter's protégé, Michel Platini, was Johansson's biggest rival in his upcoming bid for a fifth term.
After receiving the Top Scorer award, Su Hang turned to leave—
but Johansson called him back.
The ceremony wasn't over yet.
Johansson picked up another trophy—the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season—and handed it to Su Hang with a smile.
"Congratulations, Su. You're the youngest Player of the Season I've ever seen in the Champions League!"
"I hope you keep this up and continue to shine. Who knows—maybe next time I'll be handing you this same trophy again."
Su Hang smiled and nodded.
Though in his mind, he thought, No chance, old man. You'll be out by then. You couldn't beat Platini, the master of politics.
"Say a few words, Su," Johansson said, stepping aside from the microphone.
Su Hang stepped up to the microphone, holding a trophy in each hand.
"If you'd told me before this season that we'd win the Champions League, I'd have thought you were joking."
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser