The new generation of top superstars: Mbappé, Cao Baiming, and Haaland!
The three have shown astonishing strength in football and delivered convincing results, each with their own strengths, shining with different colors.
The current football scene is at a time when fans' blood is boiling with excitement that cannot be suppressed. New and old kings are passing the baton, and previous kings are personally inviting gods to guide the newcomers. Three generations appearing on the same small field is something fans never dared to dream of!
With Mbappé and Haaland's popularity, both are predicted by the outside world to reach the heights of Messi and Ronaldo. Their full potential has yet to be realized, but they have the advantage of age, time, and potential.
And recently, Cao Baiming has emerged, not only possessing exceptional skills but also being even younger, completely disrupting the football landscape and poised to usher in a new era.
Mbappé is a top striker in Ligue 1. The time his true strength was remembered by fans worldwide was at the last World Cup. As a starter for the French team, he frequently overpowered opponents with his sheer speed, leaving two or three in his wake.
That's right, his absolute advantage is speed!
Mbappé's speed can be said to be unique in the entire football world. Perhaps peak Gareth Bale could barely compare to him. Now, the only ones who can compare to Mbappé in speed are likely professional sprinters.
However, his shortcomings are also very obvious: his ball control, shooting ability, decision-making in tight spaces, etc., do not match his status, and he surprisingly doesn't track back.
Haaland is slightly more well-rounded in comparison. He is also a physically dominant player, but unlike Mbappé's speed-based dominance, he is simply physically dominant!
In terms of ball control and passing, he appears more team-oriented, and he actively participates in defense. However, his weakness is naturally that his large physique makes him less agile, unable to perform intricate maneuvers.
Despite their many shortcomings, these two are hard to match in terms of potential in today's football. Their transfer fees are outrageously high, especially for Mbappé, whose value can no longer be measured in money.
Although Real Madrid and Barcelona have repeatedly invited him, PSG used an astonishing contract to keep him. It's more accurate to say that PSG has given themselves to Mbappé now.
When Cao Baiming's characteristics are mentioned, many people instinctively compare him to these two. However, Cao Baiming's position is different; he plays defense, not forward.
But the comparison is startling.
Whether it's data or achievements, Cao Baiming's performance in just one season is enough to crush the other two. Averaging 2.3 goal involvements per game – what kind of demon can reach this height!
As loyal fans of Mbappé and Haaland, these stats mean nothing!
I don't listen, I don't listen! It's just one season's performance. Is your sample size large enough? Is it statistically significant?
You're a newcomer trying to shake Mbappé's status in football, how arrogant! Let's have a sprint race to compare?
Regardless of what fans say or argue, football has basically recognized these three as future potential stars. Moreover, in the upcoming Ballon d'Or awards, all three have entered the shortlist.
The Ballon d'Or selection has a list of thirty nominees. As a nominated player.
Many professional players dream of one day lifting the Ballon d'Or trophy, but they only regret being born in the wrong era. For the past decade, football has been dominated by two monstrous figures: Messi and Ronaldo, who combined have won twelve Ballon d'Or awards, leaving little for anyone else.
Most people can only aspire to be on the shortlist! This is truly a helpless situation!
However, fate is not always as one wishes!
They endured the era of the unparalleled duo aging, thinking they could finally contend for their past dreams, only to be slapped back by an invisible hand!
I have it so hard!
This is the sentiment of everyone!
This year, not only are newcomers participating in the competition, but many old-timers in football are also joining the fray. Top stars like Henry and Zidane, after returning, easily dominated the field, like high school students playing in kindergarten, easily crushing the children.
This year's Ballon d'Or selection has become exceptionally difficult, more so than any previous year.
Let alone the final winner, even the thirty-man shortlist appears extremely crowded!
The voting margins are very close, with unprecedented intensity of competition.
Currently, Henry is temporarily in first place, with Cao Baiming and Mbappé in second and third respectively. Benzema is fourth, Haaland fifth, and Foden sixth...
Even Kaká and Zidane did not make it into the top ten of the Ballon d'Or! Messi is temporarily ranked thirtieth, illustrating the intensity of the competition!
With such anticipation, fans are naturally very excited.
...
Manchester City is fully prepared, with Guardiola leading the team to face their formidable opponent, Arsenal!
On the match day, the team buses of both sides arrived at the stadium one after another.
Fans were already present, and enthusiastic cheerleaders swayed their bodies along the route, waving their shiny objects.
All eyes were on this grand battle, with match tickets sold out. All other matches paled in comparison to this one!
Both teams can be considered top-tier, and neither is backing down, opting for an attacking game, which is precisely what fans love to see!
Who doesn't love fast-paced games with many goals?
While parking the bus might lead to a win, it's not exciting. An intense, back-and-forth offensive battle is far more satisfying.
Fans from Tang Country also had sky-high expectations for this match, having long forgotten how long they've waited for it to begin.
However, even live broadcasts couldn't dampen the fans' enthusiasm. If they couldn't get tickets, they could at least watch the broadcast!
The Premier League match times are very fan-friendly, as they don't require staying up late in the evening.
The commentary booth was already buzzing with pre-match discussions. For such an important match, two of the most popular commentators in Tang Country were invited to co-host the commentary.
A restless energy spread through the air and along the internet cables, instantly reaching every corner of the globe. Wherever there are people, this atmosphere permeates.
A true king's battle!