Chinanews.com, Doha, December 19th (Reporter Bian Liqun) "It's really unbelievable that stars who could only be seen on TV before can observe them at such a close distance." Talking about stepping on the World Cup finals as a small flag-bearer, the 15-year-old Yang Mingrui said a little excitedly.
During the entrance ceremony of the World Cup finals, the six flag bearers of the National Football Federation flag are all football teenagers from China.
Photo by Chinanews reporter Bian Liqun
It is undoubtedly the highest dream of every player to be on the World Cup stage.
Yang Mingrui also imagined himself stepping into the World Cup in the jersey of the Chinese team, but he also clearly knew that this needs to be done step by step.
It was a bit of a surprise for Yang Mingrui to step on the stage of the World Cup as a flag bearer this time.
"Two months ago I filmed a promotional video for FIFA, and then I suddenly learned that I could serve as the flag bearer for the World Cup third place match and the final match. I was a little confused at the time, and I was also very excited and surprised. Counting down."
What is also surprising is the way he became attached to football.
Yang Mingrui, captain of the U15 echelon of the Dalian Professional Football Club.
Photo by Chinanews reporter Bian Liqun
Yang Mingrui is from Yingkou, Liaoning. He was spotted by the coach while watching his cousin's training in Dalian. He was recruited into Dalian Northeast Road Primary School in the sixth grade.
Dalian Northeast Road Primary School is an important cradle of Chinese football. When Yang Mingrui first entered the school, he saw pictures of international players walking out of the wall all over the school, and he also hoped that he might become one of them in the future.
However, because he had not experienced professional training before, Yang Mingrui was very difficult at first.
"The players here have been exposed to professional training before, and my consciousness and the rhythm of the game can't keep up. At that time, my dad took me to do core strength every day, and I had to do more after training every day."
Yang Mingrui at the World Cup site.
Photo provided by the interviewee
During this difficult time, Yang Mingrui once thought of giving up.
"At that time, I was only in grade 6. I was very tired and homesick. Many times I lay on the bed and cried secretly. Later, I gradually caught up with the rhythm. Up to now, I am still playing well in the team."
Yang Mingrui said that his idol is Ronaldo. On the one hand, he has a similar position on the court, and on the other hand, he also likes Ronaldo's self-discipline.
Among domestic players, Yang Mingrui's idol is Wei Shihao.
"There are very few players with this personality in China. He is very confident, dares to make moves, and is not afraid of any opponent."
Yang Mingrui (third from left in a row).
Photo provided by the interviewee.
As the captain of the U15 echelon of the Dalian Professional Football Club, Yang Mingrui was selected for the first time in the Chinese U15 men's football team in July this year.
"This is a small part of my dream come true. When I returned to the room after distributing the clothes and looked in the mirror in the Polo shirt with the five-star red flag on the chest, I felt like I was about to cry," he said.
However, Yang Mingrui has not been able to play with the U15 national team in international competitions for the time being. "I really want to see how the level of foreign players of the same age is, and what is the gap with them."
Regarding his career, Yang Mingrui said that the immediate goal is to strive to enter the club's first team as soon as possible, enter the adult national team, and be able to fight for the country.
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