Chapter 751 - 137: Qualifying Early! Challenging for the Golden Ball Award! Making the Premier League Submit! The Big Three’s Crazy Goal-Scoring Race!

When Wang Shuo walked over, he was immediately surrounded by a sea of thrust-out microphones.

During the media interview, Wang Shuo answered many questions about the match and his teammates. He repeatedly stated that his goals relied entirely on his teammates and the team.

"Wang, I’m a reporter from Spain. Could you tell us if your goals are a response to the Spanish media?"

This was quite a sharp question. All the reporters on the scene immediately grew excited.

"I haven’t thought of it that way." Wang Shuo shook his head and laughed. "Actually, in a couple of days, I’ll be doing an interview with a Spanish media outlet as well."

Wang Shuo meant that he had a good relationship with the media in Spain.

"Every single one of my goals is for Arsenal and my teammates.

"Of course, the most important thing is helping the team win. That always comes first."

However, the reporters clearly had no intention of letting him off the hook so easily.

"What about the Golden Ball Award? Over the last couple of years, you, Messi, and Ronaldo have all been scoring hat-tricks. Everyone says you are all making a push for the Golden Ball Award. What are your personal thoughts on this?"

Wang Shuo kept his smile, his expression calm.

"I think this is perfectly normal. The Golden Ball Award is a lifelong pursuit for all professional players, and I am no exception.

"As a player from Asia, winning the Golden Ball Award often requires putting in more effort than others. That’s because, in the history of Asian football, no one has ever won the Golden Ball Award or the title of World Footballer of the Year.

"So for me, I don’t care about what others have done or how well they are doing. I am much more concerned with whether or not I’ve given it my all.

"As long as I do my best, I can accept whatever the final result may be!"

The reporters still wouldn’t let him go, throwing out an even sharper question.

"If it were up to you to choose between yourself, Ronaldo, and Messi, who do you think is more qualified to win the award?"

The excitement among the reporters was palpable. This question completely cut off all of Wang Shuo’s avenues of retreat. He had to answer it head-on!

Wang Shuo still maintained his smile. This was what Shen Qinghe had told him: no matter what, in front of the media, he had to maintain his grace and image.

"From last season until now, and even up to tonight, I’ve been giving you the answer all along, haven’t I?

"Of course, it’s not up to me to say whether I can win the award. It’s up to all the judges who have voting rights to decide."

***

The next day, there was a noticeable, collective shift across major media outlets in Europe.

If the previous day had been La Liga day, with every outlet hyping up the hat-tricks by Ronaldo and Messi, then today, every outlet was reporting on Wang Shuo’s hat-trick.

The Times proclaimed, "A hat-trick in 16 minutes—Wang Shuo’s declaration for the Golden Ball Award!"

L’Equipe Newspaper went even further, stating, "Hat-trick vs. Hat-trick vs. Hat-trick: The battle for the Golden Ball Award reaches a fever pitch!"

Even in Spain, the pro-Real Madrid Marca Newspaper had to admit: "Stepping over the corpse of Naples, Wang Shuo has submitted the strongest and most compelling application to all the Golden Ball Award judges!"

Barça’s mouthpiece, Daily Sports, stated, "Under immense pressure, Wang Shuo delivers his answer with a hat-trick!"

Major media outlets in the United Kingdom were also buzzing with the news.

Meanwhile, during the weekend’s Premier League Round 11 match, Arsenal hosted West Bromwich Albion at home.

Less than a minute after kickoff, Koscielny sent a long pass from the backfield. Walcott drove straight down the right flank and sent a low cross to the front of the goal. Wang Shuo arrived right on time and calmly slotted the ball in, breaching the goal defended by Foster.

1-0!

In the 9th minute, after dribbling to make a breakthrough down the left side, Hazard won a free kick about thirty meters from the goal. Wang Shuo calmly took the kick. Bolstered by his [Domain Skills: Blasters], he curled the ball directly into the top corner of the net.

2-0!

In the 22nd minute, Ramsey sent a through ball down the middle. Walcott crossed it from the right back to the center, but Foster dove and kicked the ball away to block it. But Wang Shuo followed up and easily tapped the ball into the empty net.

3-0!

Another hat-trick!

In the end, thanks to Wang Shuo’s hat-trick, the Gunners routed West Bromwich Albion 5-0 at home.

At almost the exact same time, Ronaldo also scored a hat-trick in the 12th round of La Liga, helping Real Madrid crush Osasuna 7-1.

Messi was just as relentless. Although Barça drew 2-2 away against Athletic Bilbao this round, they fell behind twice and equalized twice.

The first equalizing goal came from Messi assisting Fabregas. The second equalizer occurred in the 90th minute, with Messi executing it himself.

The big three were going absolutely crazy in their battle for the Golden Ball Award!