The 2011 Ballon d'Or ceremony was held in Zurich, Switzerland.
The final nominees had been narrowed down to three through the vote last November.
The first was Ho-young, who had scored 30 goals in the Premier League. The second was Lionel Messi, who was tearing up La Liga with 32 goals in just 17 matches. And the third was Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been putting on a one-man show at Real Madrid and scored 25 goals in 16 matches.
It was the kind of season where both the Premier League and La Liga could see a player reach the 50-goal mark.
Considering that the Premier League generally had a lower scoring rate than La Liga, Ho-young's record could be said to be far more impressive than the other two.
In fact, most managers who had experienced both major leagues acknowledged as much.
For example, Pep Guardiola had once said this.
"Life at Barcelona did not allow me to live the complete life of a manager. We once recorded huge point totals and scored many goals, but the number of matches in which I had to be extremely focused during a season was only four to six."
In other words, that meant the gap in level between teams in La Liga was severe.
The Premier League, on the other hand, had far less of a gap between teams, so there were far more things a manager had to pay attention to in the league.
The same went for the players.
They were not facing weak teams every match, so naturally the goal totals were bound to be lower.
But this year was different.
With Manchester City reborn as an overwhelming team, a scorer like Ho-young had emerged and scored as many as 30 goals.
In other words, it was true that Ho-young's record was the most impressive.
Moreover, taking last season into account, Ho-young, who had led Manchester City to a mini-treble, had a very high probability of winning the Ballon d'Or.
"Don't worry, just watch. If our son doesn't win it, then who will?"
"Wow, is my brother really going to win it again this year?"
"Of course. Do you know how incredible your brother is?"
It was Ho-young's family, invited to the ceremony.
Beside them sat Ho-young's grandparents and Monica as well.
"Grandmother, don't worry. Ho-young is absolutely going to win it."
"Exactly."
"Yes. I've watched a lot of Ho-young's matches, so it can't be anyone else. At the Ballon d'Or ceremony, impact matters just as much as the numbers."
When Monica spoke so clearly and firmly, Kim Jae-kyum, who had been quietly listening beside her, burst into laughter.
"Hohoho. Our future granddaughter-in-law really takes a lot of interest in Ho-young. You must have been very busy training in Russia."
"Y-yes, sir...?"
And so, while the family watched in nervous anticipation, the ceremony began in earnest.
Ruud Gullit, who was hosting the ceremony, wore a warm smile as he moved on to present the FIFA Puskás Award.
"The FIFA Puskás Award is given to the best goal scored this year. Now then, let's take a look at the nominees together."
Soon, the nominated goals appeared on the giant screen.
The first clip belonged to Ho-young.
It was the goal where, surrounded by defenders, he lifted the ball with his touch and struck it with a scissors kick.
"Incredible, even watching it again."
"Is there really any goal that can compete with that?"
"Well..."
The thoughts of the audience came together as one.
Everyone thought the first goal was the strong favorite.
But when the second nominee appeared on the screen, that thought changed completely.
It was Ho-young again.
"Right, that goal was there too."
"I think that one is even more incredible. That kind of dribbling looks like something you'd only ever see in a dream."
"And the fact that those two goals came in the same match, I still can't believe it."
The ceremony hall filled with admiration.
But it would soon turn into bitter laughter.
It was around the time the goal clips moved on to the third nominee.
"Haha..."
"Again?"
"Another one?"
The third nominee was Ho-young as well.
Then the fourth and fifth nominees were also goals scored by Ho-young.
And then.
"The winner of this year's FIFA Puskás Award is none other than Manchester City's Ho-young."
As Ho-young's win was confirmed, Ronaldo, who had come out as the presenter, handed him the trophy.
"Congratulations, football genius. No, should I be calling you the god of football now?"
"Haha. Thank you, Il Fenomeno."
In contrast, Lionel Messi's face darkened.
The fact that the impact Ho-young had made was this great meant, by the same logic, that he should also win the Ballon d'Or.
And as expected, the FIFA Ballon d'Or announced near the end of the ceremony went to him, just as everyone had predicted.
"Manchester City's Ho-young."
Clap clap clap.
Thunderous applause burst out.
And when Ho-young, dressed in a suit, stepped onto the stage, Lothar Matthäus came forward as the presenter and handed him the Ballon d'Or trophy.
"Congratulations. It is an honor to present this award to you."
"Matthäus, it is an even greater honor for me to receive it from you."
"Then I'd like to have a chat after the ceremony is over."
"Of course."
"Haha. Thank you. Enjoy this moment."
Winning it for a second straight year.
After Matthäus, the legendary footballer, handed over the trophy and stepped back, FIFA president Mohammed bin Hammam, who had been standing beside him, came over laughing heartily and offered his congratulations.
"Thank you."
"No, I should be the one thanking you. You are my benefactor."
Ho-young truly was his benefactor in every sense.
After all, the reason he had been able to become FIFA president was Ho-young.
Bin Hammam, who cherished that debt, lowered his voice and said,
"I know what sort of situation you're in back in Korea."
Just as he said, Ho-young had already declared his retirement and even mentioned naturalization, so he could no longer take part in national team matches.
"I don't know how long I'll remain in this position, but no matter what happens, I will help you for the rest of my life, so don't worry too much. And soon, everything will be resolved."
That meant, in other words, that the naturalization policy would soon be amended.
"Yes, thank you for your concern."
"Haha. Then go on and give your speech. People are staring holes through you."
"Yes."
Stepping up to the microphone, Ho-young began with a brief greeting.
He looked far more composed than he had at last year's ceremony.
Then he started saying the words he had prepared.
"When I was young, my father told me that flowers bloom at different times, and that just because a sprout appears early does not mean the flower will bloom early as well."
A remark about his father.
At that moment, Woo Hwang-sun's face was shown by itself on the screen.
Looking at that, Ho-young continued.
"That saying brought me all the way here. And beside him, Mrs. Kim, who supported me wholeheartedly. My little brother Ho-il, who never has enough time at school because he's always bragging about his brother. My grandfather and grandmother, who took care of me in Spain, thank you all. And I love you."
Following Ho-young's speech, the cameraman showed Woo Hwang-sun, Kim Hee-sun, Woo Ho-il, Kim Jae-kyum, and Lee Moon-hee one by one.
Next came Monica.
"The girlfriend I met when I was young. Just as she has cheered for my path, I will help and support hers as well. And I'd also like to take this opportunity to say that I love her."
The ceremony hall was filled with emotion by Ho-young's speech.
But Monica did not cry.
She was only biting her lower lip tightly and clenching both fists so that she would not cry.
And after the ceremony had fully ended, Ho-young walked over to the family who had been waiting for him and hugged them one by one.
Finally, the person who had been waiting for her turn ran over and threw her arms around Ho-young.
It was Monica, dressed in an elegant black dress, her ponytail revealing the graceful line of her neck.
She looked more beautiful than ever, and Ho-young lightly pressed his lips to hers, heating up the night of the ceremony.
After the ceremony came to a successful close.
In one of the presenters' waiting rooms, a regretful voice could be heard.
It was a conversation between Matthäus, one of the presenters that day, and Gullit, who had hosted the event.
"To think he has to give up the Ballon d'Or even after scoring 32 goals in 17 matches."
"It can't be helped. In both ability and impact, Ho-young was overwhelming."
The subject of their conversation was Lionel Messi.
"All you can say is that the lad is unlucky. If he'd at least won the Champions League, it might have been different."
The prevailing opinion was that if Messi had beaten Bayern Munich and won the UEFA Champions League, he would have taken the Ballon d'Or.
Gullit strongly agreed and said,
"Really... for a player like that not to have won the Ballon d'Or even once. Maybe, as long as Ho-young doesn't retire, he might go his whole career without one."
"At this rate, he'll go down as the greatest number two of all time."
"Tsk, tsk."
The two of them kept expressing their pity for Messi.
At the same time, they could not stop praising Ho-young.
"Ho-young is the best. I've gotten so into watching his matches that it's become my hobby."
"When I handed him the trophy and shook his hand earlier, I got chills all over. We didn't have a player like that in our era."
"Only in our era? There has never been one in all of history. He really is a god. If he were in La Liga, he might already have reached 40 goals."
The chain of praise showed no signs of ending.
Then, someone entered the waiting room.
It was Ho-young.
"Ah, come in and have a seat."
"Yes, I heard you were looking for me."
"Thank you for agreeing to come. There was something I wanted to say for a moment."
The two of them had wanted to speak with Ho-young before going home.
The reason was simple.
"It's nothing major, really. We're planning a charity match tour, and I wanted to ask whether you could take part in one match or so. I was going to ask your agent, but as luck would have it, I got the chance to speak with you today. It's an honor."
"Ah, no, not at all."
Ho-young remembered it.
There had been news that several retired football legends, including Gullit and Matthäus, were planning to travel the world and play charity matches.
Matthäus added an explanation.
"It's still in the preparation stage right now, and it will start from May next year, so please think it over. Of course, you'll naturally be paid an appearance fee."
"But why are you making this request to me?"
It certainly was strange.
Ho-young was not a retired player.
"Well, the thing is, we decided to include one active player in our team. And somehow, only you came to mind. After watching today's ceremony, I became certain."
"Ah, thank you for saying that."
"And to be honest, it's also for the success of the charity event. If you come, we won't have to worry about ticket sales."
A sudden but honest proposal.
Ho-young gave a positive answer.
"Of course. It's for a good cause, so I'd be glad to. Please let me know once the schedule is finalized."
"Hahaha. Of course."
It would be difficult during the season, but after the season, it would be possible anytime.
"Then, if possible, could you tell me who else will be taking part in the charity event?"
"The squad is still being planned. There's still plenty of time until May. But if I tell you the names of those who have already agreed..."
As Matthäus trailed off, Ho-young's mouth fell open.
Ruud Gullit, once called Maradona's rival.
And Lothar Matthäus, one of the greatest central midfielders in football history.
Even leaving them aside, several other legends were also set to take part.
'This is a very good opportunity for me too.'
Next year's offseason would include Euro 2012 and the Olympics.
In other words, it was a good chance to covet the talents of legendary players before then.
And then, just two days later.
The draw for UEFA Euro 2012 was held in Kyiv, Ukraine, and something happened that shocked football fans all around the world.
It was Spain's group.
Pot 1 Spain
Pot 4 Czech Republic
Pot 3 Portugal
Pot 2 Italy
A group of death where no elimination would be surprising.
That included Spain as well.
Especially because they were the defending champions, the pressure on them was even greater.
So that night, they urgently went to find Ho-young.
Because the long-awaited news had just struck the entire world.
[December 23, 2011, FIFA's naturalization regulations finally amended... Several players, including Ho-young, now eligible for naturalization under the revised rules]
And with that, it was not only the Royal Spanish Football Federation that began to move.
As the thing no one had truly expected suddenly became reality, another side became urgent as well.
The Korea Football Association.
They formed a delegation and rushed to find Ho-young.
(To be continued.)