The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games gave competitive sports unprecedented attention around the world.
European football in 2008 was equally exciting, with Spain beating Germany to win the European Championship.
It was also in that year that Anderson from Manchester United defeated Marcelo, Pato and other masters to win the European Golden Boy Award.
Who could have foreseen this outcome?
One
Like many Brazilian players, Anderson was moved to Porto in the Portuguese Premier League after his debut at Gremio in the Bundesliga.
This is a well-known "black shop" in world football, and they believe that in a few years this stick boy will be able to sell for a good price.
The creativity of Brazilian midfielders, wide running coverage and defensive interceptions are indispensable in European football.
The newcomer Anderson played well, helping the team win the Portuguese Championship in his first year.
It is gold that always shines, and it is the flowers that always bloom.
He is capable of many positions in the midfield, although he is not tall, but his body is thick, he can get rid of the ball and can push forward with the ball, and he can stir the opponent's midfield area upside down.
Anderson, who made his Champions League debut, played well and impressed the top clubs in the leagues.
Porto is also generous in front of the media to hype, he is not the team's non-sale, the five major leagues are his home, as long as the price is right, anyone can take away the talented teenager.
Eager for a bigger stage, eager for a league title, eager to be a superstar, young Anderson is on the pitch like a desperate samurai.
In 2007, Premier League Red Devils Manchester United club Sir Alex Ferguson threw an olive branch.
Anderson didn't even want to nod his head in agreement, C Ronaldo, Giggs, Rooney, Ferdinand, Vidic, Solskjaer...
One by one, the names are raised, like thunder, and there is a dream theater for many stars.
Two
Looking back, is Anderson really qualified for Manchester United?
In 2007, Manchester United was in a critical period of complete blood exchanges, some of the team's veterans could not play steadily on all fronts for a long time, Scholes in midfield had become thinner and thinner, and United's frontcourt attack was monotonous and weak.
Even opponents know that to defend United's side push is to choke the throat, and Anderson's midfield advance is characterized by what Ferguson is urgently lacking.
Even if the £20 million transfer fee is slightly expensive for a 19-year-old hairy boy, the wealthy United can afford to pay.
Ferguson believes that in a few years, Anderson will become the second Scholes.
As expected, Anderson quickly adapted to the rhythm of the Premier League after joining, and became a strong midfielder who could compete with Gerrard and Lampard in the league.
In the same year, Anderson's dream came true and he was selected for the Brazilian national team to debut in the Copa America.
All happiness came unexpectedly.
In 2008, Anderson reached the pinnacle and highlight of his career, with Manchester United advancing to the Champions League final, and at the Luzhniki Stadium in Russia, Manchester United beat their old rivals Chelsea and raised the Big Ears Cup.
Anderson scored his sixth penalty in the final, which was crucial for the growth of a young footballer who was only 20 years old, such an important moment, such a heavy honor, Manchester United gave him enough trust.
So far, Anderson has become popular in European football.
Naturally, it was shortlisted for the 2008 European Golden Boy Awards, and this list still looks star-studded.
Pato, Marcelo, Cross, Walcott, Di Maria, Ozil, Balotelli which one is not a dancing teenager?
Forward players often have a head start in such competitions, but many well-known media still do not hesitate to vote for Manchester United's Anderson, which is rare as a midfielder.
In anticipation, Anderson won the 2008 European Golden Boy Award, and Ferguson smiled widely as United had two Golden Boys and a Rooney.
This year, a sunny football avenue suddenly opened up to Anderson.
Three
It was also this year that the young Kante Jr. was still worried about becoming a professional player.
He has tried out a number of clubs, none of which are willing to sign him, and his thin body obviously does not meet the standards of a professional player.
Is this "little potato" joking? Go back and pick up the trash!
Every player has the freedom to chase his dreams, and his persistence and courage should be moving, but he can only be greeted with shaking his head and mocking.
The same midfield position, the same body characteristics, the same league environment, Anderson is smooth sailing, Kante is walking on thin ice.
Years from now, we will no longer talk about heroes in terms of height and goals, we will applaud all perseverance, and we will also send opportunities and comfort to the lost.
Until now, those youth coaches and gold medal coaches know that they have lost their eyes.
Compared with Kanter, Anderson was lucky, and his career met Bole Ferguson, who rose to prominence and received numerous accolades.
Compared to Kante, Anderson is a pity, and ten years later, Kante helped two Premier League teams Leicester City and Chelsea win the league title, and helped the Gaul Rooster France to lift the World Cup.
The color of the "Golden Boy" may not be so dazzling, fame does not determine the ceiling, the weather vane of football is slowly changing, and more and more practical, simple and unpretentious players are reused.
This is the tolerance that the football world should have.
Four
Just when Anderson was in a good mood, Manchester United's academy came with a thorn-headed guy named Pogba.
Obviously, for this young talent Manchester United has high expectations, beautiful footwork, wide range of vision, good back-row offensive strength, with him, Manchester United's midfield thickness will be strongly guaranteed.
The more capable he is, the more qualified he is, and Pogba is quite dissatisfied with Manchester United's arrangement for him to play in the reserve team, the few League Cup appearances, and the rather pitiful first-team bench seats, which are the reasons for Pogba's anger.
Compared with Fletcher and Carrick, Pogba believes that his tandem and offensive attributes are stronger, and as for the golden boy Anderson, he is also disdainful, and he can also take the golden trophy.
Undisciplined, undermined unity, disrespectful to the big brother of the team, Pogba's every crime is a nail in the coffin.
No one can override Ferguson, the beloved beckham is exiled, and the disobedient Pogba is completely beaten into the cold palace.
In 2012, Pogba did not renew his contract with Manchester United, signing Juventus for free in Serie A, and many Manchester United fans scolded him in front of the media.
"This naughty boy only has money in his eyes, he doesn't deserve Manchester United."
Five
The circumstances of life are so wonderful.
Years later, Kante became one of the strongest midfielders in the world, and Pogba delivered on his promise to win the Golden Boy and cost United £89 million to return to the Theatre of Dreams.
And where is Anderson, who is young and crazy and says that he is Maradona?
In 2015, the 26-year-old Anderson returned to Brazil to play for Brazil International, and since then there has been little hot news from many teams, and he is only 31 years old in 2019, scribbling his football career and announcing his retirement.
Fame is too early, after the explosion of popularity is dim, too much honor and expectation to crush him, the most water golden boy, this is the label given to him by posterity.
As for the sword and light sword shadow in the football world, merit and fame, let the fans talk and laugh after dinner.
Good luck with your next stop, Anderson.