<h4>Chapter 207: First prize winner</h4>


    While the media were still reporting on the grudges between Lippi and Juventus, as well as the next coaching choices for the Bianconeri, a piece of news in Italy stirred up a huge wave.


    The cover of the news was just a photograph, capturing a group of people walking out of Mn Malpensa Airport, among whom was prominently featured Jett Pufnastier, the Chief Editor of "France Football" magazine.


    He appeared in Mn! Everyone knew what this meant; the dust had settled on the final oue of the European Golden Ball Award. Though everyone knew this award almost certainly belonged to Wang Feng, the day of confirmation still left manypeting yers feeling regretful.


    Of course, there were a few European supremacists who thought Wang Feng shouldn''t win, perhaps suggesting Pufnastier came for Shevchenko or Inzaghi, but such ims only elicitedughter.


    In fact, on the second day of Pufnastier''s arrival, Inter Mn allowed their group to enter Pina for interviews, and the photographers from "France Football" magazine also took several sets of photos for Wang Feng, officially congratting him on winning the 2003 European Golden Ball Award.


    Mn Sports News stated in its report, "The European Golden Ball Award usually doesn''t hold many surprises because we always catch sight of the staff from ''France Football'' magazine at the airport ahead of time."


    "Wang Feng, who helped Inter Mn achieve the quintuple crown, deserves the award. He consecutively won the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year and the European Golden Ball Award, with the FIFA World yer of the Year honor within reach."


    "Since Zidane won the European Golden Ball Award at Juventus in 1998, no yer from Serie A has won this top European honor for 5 years, which is somewhat embarrassing for the league ranked first in Europe."


    "So Wang Feng''s award is not only his own glory, but also Mn''s glory, and even Serie A''s glory!"


    The news of Wang Feng''s award quickly spread from Italy to various parts of the world, and media outlets in each country followed suit in reporting. Especially in China, this news instantly caused jubtion among the media and fans.


    Looking back at the history of modern football, no Chinese yer has achieved such high results and honors in the football world. Wang Feng has added a bright stroke to the history of Chinese football, making all Chinese people feel immensely proud.


    Inte forums, burgeoning like spring bamboo shoots, and newlyunched Tieba tforms were all upied by ecstaticizens. They kept posting various thoughts and aspirations. Wang Feng''s experiences and achievements were repeated over and over again.


    The huge traffic caused most forum servers to crash, and the immature Tieba tforms faced constant issues, requiring programmers to work overtime to resolve them.


    Various departments and authoritative media outlets also publishedments, fully acknowledging Wang Feng''s achievements and congratting him on winning the trophy.


    As the overwhelming news swept through the football world, Wang Feng was busy replying to various congrattory messages and calls.


    People like Mate, Aimee Antonis, Ronaldo, Bess, and Renee all congratted Wang Feng at the first opportunity. They had provided various kinds of assistance to Wang Feng throughout his career, and he had always maintained good contact with them.


    Unbeknownst to him, he had already umted a widework of contacts in the football world. Therefore, even before Pufnastier arrived, Wang Feng received the news, and "France Football" magazine even called him specifically, hoping to take some candid photos of his life.


    After discussing with his sister and Lu Yao, they felt there was no harm, so they invited Pufnastier and his entourage to their vi for dinner, and also for a photo shoot.


    His sister was always reluctant to appear in public, and Lu Yao only agreed to take one group photo under Wang Feng''s persuasion and his sister''s persuasion, officially announcing their rtionship to the public.


    When Lu Yao appeared in clothes bought by Wang Feng, the photographer couldn''t help but praise, "Wang, you two are simply made for each other, like a pair of golden boy and jade girl." Lu Yao blushed and smiled, lightly linking her arm with Wang Feng''s, and the two quickly finished the shoot.


    In early December, the round of 16 matches of the Coppa Italia officially began. The format of the cuppetition had been reformed this season, starting from the round of 16 with two-leg home and away matches.


    Originally, it was thought that the cancetion of the UEFA Champions League group stage would make Inter Mn''s schedule less hectic, but unexpectedly, two more matches were added out of thin air.


    Inter Mn''s opponent was newly promoted Serie A team Sampdoria. After the match against Juventus, the Inter Mn squad flew to Genoa for the first leg.


    Due to interviews and photo shoots, Wang Feng dyed his departure by two days before heading to Genoa alone, but coach Mancini still ced him in the starting lineup.


    "I believe in your adaptability and rapport with your teammates," Mancini said. "I made some changes to the lineup for this game out of necessity. Many yers feel tired due to the high-intensity continuous matches."


    "But deep down, I still hope to continue Inter Mn''s glorious record. After all, I took over the team at its peak, and the pressure will be immense." Mancini exined to Wang Feng very seriously.


    Wang Feng nodded. He actually wanted to create more glory again. "If you feel tired or ufortable, please tell me. Your health is the most important thing for the team, and I will always keep a substitution slot for you." Mancini added.


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Mancini," Wang Feng said confidently. "I enduredst year''s tough schedule, so now I''m only stronger than before."


    After the game started, Wang Feng led the substitute lineup against Sampdoria, and both sides created several good chances. The home team''s defense couldn''t stop Wang Feng, and under their attack, Inter Mn''s substitute defense also had many loopholes.


    But the newly crowned Golden Ball winner was not just a name. In the 17th minute of the game, Inter Mn''s attack, Lamouchi sent a lob to the left, Cruz and Sampdoria center-back Efron both chased after the ball, but Efron was faster, intercepting with his left foot first.


    The ball didn''t fly too far, but came to the area around the center line. Wang Feng judged thending spot well. Seeing that the defending yers were quite far away, probably to defend against his breakthrough, he confidently met the dropping ball with a direct volley.


    With a "bang", the ball swiftly flew towards the goal, and due to no interference, Wang Feng''s shot was impable in both power and angle.


    The Sampdoria goalkeeper dove and almost formed an "I" shape in the air, but still couldn''t reach the ball heading towards the corner, letting it fly into the.


    1-0! Inter Mn broke the deadlock!


    In the subsequent game, Wang Feng''s performance remained very active. In the 36th minute, he assisted Carlon in scoring another goal. Therefore, in the 65th minute, Mancini reced him.


    The only regret was that in the 85th minute, Sampdoria pulled one back through Dianana. However, Inter Mn still held on to a victory with two away goals, and the prospect of advancing looked very promising.