After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!

The World Cup euphoria gradually subsided, and the desert heat of Qatar was replaced by the damp, chilly drizzle of winter in the British Isles.

But the passion and glory brought by football have not faded as the season progresses; instead, they have settled into a more enduring and solemn national memory.

After returning to the Premier League.

Under Yan Yuan's leadership, Arsenal have made great strides in the league.

But everyone still cherishes the best memories of that desert winter.

Shortly after the World Cup ended,

At the end of December, as Christmas lights adorned the streets of London, a joint announcement from 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet Office reignited the anticipation across the UK.

The announcement has been officially made.

To recognize the historic achievements of the England men's national football team at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, His Majesty King Charles III will hold a solemn investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace during the rest day in January to award all members of the World Cup-winning team with appropriate national honors.

The news caused an uproar across the British media.

The Times front-page headline: "From Wembley to Buckingham Palace: The coronation of the Three Lions heroes."

The Daily Mirror even devoted an entire page to predicting the list of awardees, with the largest headline proclaiming: "Sir Yan Yuan? The new knight in the nation's voice."

The article provides a detailed analysis of Yan Yuan's immense contributions to British football and sports culture since his debut, especially his extraordinary leadership as captain in leading the team to victory in the World Cup. It concludes that awarding him a knighthood is "well-deserved and a fitting honor."

On social media, the hashtag #YanYuanConferredANobility even trended on social media.

Fans expressed their support: "He has made us believe again that football can come home, and he deserves any honor!"

"A 22-year-old jazz? That would be a modern legend!"

"From now on, we can't call him God Yan anymore; we have to call him Sir Yan."

"We Arsenal have our own Ferguson now."

"The person upstairs is wrong. Yan Shen is much better than Ferguson."

……

Amidst this enthusiastic public opinion, the day for awarding the medals finally arrived.

On this day, the London sky was unusually clear, and the winter sun bathed the solemn Buckingham Palace in a warm golden light.

Outside the palace gates, the area was already packed with fans and media from around the world who had come after hearing the news.

People waved England's St. George's Cross flags and sang "Three Lions," filling the air with a festive atmosphere.

A fleet of black luxury limousines slowly drove down the Royal Promenade and, amidst cheers from the crowd, pulled up one after another in front of the imposing gates of Buckingham Palace.

The car doors opened, and the heroes of the England team appeared one after another.

Today, each of them changed into their most formal attire—tailor-made morning suits, striped trousers, and sleek leather shoes.

Every player looked exceptionally handsome, with a proud yet slightly nervous smile on their face.

Yan Yuan was the most prominent figure among them.

He was dressed in a well-fitting black morning suit, with a white shirt collar tied with a standard bow tie, his posture upright and his demeanor outstanding.

Yan's father and mother, along with his girlfriend Lin Jianwei, also came together.

Mr. and Mrs. Yan wore carefully tailored Chinese-style formal attire, exuding both solemnity and joy; Lin Jianwei, on the other hand, wore an elegant champagne-colored long dress, looking radiant.

As close relatives, they were politely guided by court officials to their seats in the family viewing area on the side of the ceremony hall.

This area offers an excellent view, allowing for a clear view of the entire ceremony.

"Sweetie, relax. You're the most handsome today." Before entering, Lin Jianwei gently adjusted Yan Yuan's non-existent bow tie and encouraged him softly, her eyes full of love and pride.

Yan Yuan grasped her hand, smiled slightly, his eyes firm and steady.

"Thank you, darling, you look absolutely gorgeous today."

The interior of Buckingham Palace is extremely luxurious and magnificent.

Red carpets covered the long corridor, huge oil paintings of British monarchs hung on the walls, and crystal chandeliers reflected a dazzling light.

The players and coaching staff, guided by others, lined up quietly outside the magnificent ballroom.

Inside the ballroom, resplendent with gold, the dignitaries, government officials, and their families who were attending the ceremony were already seated, conversing in hushed tones, the atmosphere solemn yet warm.

At 11:00 a.m., the Royal Guards Band played solemn music.

The doors leading to the ballroom slowly opened.

The medal-awarding ceremony officially began.

The first to enter were members of the royal family.

Then, His Majesty King Charles III, dressed in a well-tailored suit and adorned with sashes and medals, walked steadily into the hall and ascended the throne, accompanied by his retinue.

The entire audience stood up to pay their highest respects.

Then, the Cabinet Master of Ceremonies began to announce the names of the recipients in a clear and loud voice, in descending order of honor level.

The first one called out, without a doubt, was the meritorious manager Gareth Southgate.

Southgate walked forward calmly.

He knelt on one knee on the designated spot in front of the throne on the award bench.

King Charles took a symbolic ceremonial sword from a tray held by a servant.

"Mr. Gareth Southgate," the King's voice was gentle yet solemn, "in recognition of your extraordinary contributions to English football, your outstanding leadership in leading the national team to victory in the World Cup, and the immense joy and glory you have brought to the entire nation, I hereby knight you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the king gently tapped Southgate's left and right shoulders with the blade of his sword.

King Charles then personally pinned the Knight Commander's Star and Ribbon on him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Southgate replied emotionally, his voice slightly choked with emotion.

The audience responded with enthusiastic applause.

Then, the awarding ceremony reached its climax. The officiant took a deep breath and called out the names in an even louder voice:

"Yan Yuan, captain of England!"

In an instant, all eyes and all the cameras on site focused on the young man standing at the very front of the group, with his upright posture.

Yan Yuan walked calmly and steadily toward the throne.

Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, falling perfectly on him, as if draping him in a halo.

In the family viewing area, Yan's father held Yan's mother's hand tightly, while Lin Jianwei held her breath.

Yan Yuan stopped in front of the throne.

Following the instructions of the etiquette officer, I solemnly knelt on one knee on the soft awarding stool and bowed my head slightly.

King Charles looked down at the young world champion captain before him, a smile of admiration on his face.

"Mr. Yan Yuan," His Majesty the King's voice echoed through the silent hall through the microphone, carrying a historical resonance, "your achievements at such an extremely young age have surpassed the dreams of the vast majority of athletes throughout their lives."

The king paused slightly, allowing each word to be clearly imprinted in everyone's mind.

"You not only led England to victory in the World Cup after a 56-year absence with your unparalleled skill and leadership, but you also became a role model for the nation's younger generation and a bridge connecting different cultures with your demeanor, wisdom, and love for the sport. The sporting spirit you embodied is the best reflection of British values."

King Charles's voice was full of power.

"Therefore, in recognition of your outstanding and indelible contributions to British sports and international image, I, in the name of the King, hereby knight you."

After speaking, the king took the heavy ceremonial sword from the attendant.

The sword gleamed with a cold and sacred light under the lamp.

The entire room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The king gently touched Yan Yuan's right shoulder with the blade of his sword, then his left shoulder.

This ancient act, known as "Accolade," is the most central and symbolic moment in the knighthood ceremony.

"Rise, Sir Yuan."

Yan Yuan looked up and stood up in response.

At this moment, his title has changed.

King Charles took the exquisite star, symbolizing the Knight Commander's Medal, from a velvet tray held by another attendant and personally pinned it on Yan Yuan's left breast.

The cross and lion motifs on the star emblem gleam under the lights.

After putting on the medal, Yan Yuan stood up straight and said calmly.

"Your Majesty, this is the greatest honor for me and my family. This honor does not belong to me alone; it belongs to the entire team, to everyone who has supported us, and most importantly, to England. I will always be proud of this and will continue to strive to live up to this high expectation."

"England is proud of you, Sir Yan Yuan." The King smiled and shook hands with him again.

At that moment, the ballroom erupted in thunderous applause that lasted for a long time!

"Splash splash splash..."

The applause lasted for about half a minute.

Yan's parents were already in tears, and Lin Jianwei also covered her mouth with her hand in excitement.

All the teammates and coaches applauded enthusiastically, feeling genuine joy for their well-deserved captain and leader.

The medal-awarding ceremony then continued.

Harry Kane was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his outstanding contributions as the club's all-time top scorer and vice-captain. Veteran players such as Henderson and Pickford also received the Officer of the Order.

Young talents such as Bellingham, Saka, Foden, Rashford, Rice, Maguire, and Stones were awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire.

The entire coaching staff, medical team, and management personnel were also awarded the Order of the British Empire for their contributions.

Every name called out, every word of encouragement from the king, and every expression of gratitude from the recipient drew rounds of applause.

This is not just an individual honor, but a national-level recognition and celebration for the entire team, English football, and even British sports.

After the investiture ceremony, His Majesty the King held a brief meeting with all the recipients and their families.

In Buckingham Palace’s famous gardens, the sun shines brightly and the grass is lush and green.

Yan Yuan,

No, we should now call him Sir Yan Yuan.

Sir Yan, along with all his medal-adorned, smiling teammates and coaching staff, posed for an official group photo that is destined to go down in history.

In the photo, Yan Yuan stands next to Southgate, his Knight Commander Medal shining brightly on his chest.

Surrounding him were his comrades who had made history with him, and behind them stood the magnificent Buckingham Palace.

This photograph encapsulates the highest honor earned through sweat and tears, a nation's tribute to its heroes, and the pinnacle of Yan Yuan's life achieved at the young age of 22.

From a disqualified soccer player to a World Cup champion captain, and then knighted by the King himself.

Yan Yuan's legend has transcended the football field and is deeply etched into British history and tradition.

Football has not only returned home.

It also held the grandest and most solemn coronation ceremony for its heroes.