Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney were seen sharing an emotional and exciting moment together after witnessing their Welsh soccer club, Wrexham AFC, crush it out on the pitch in a major triumph.
In November 2020, the actors teamed up to purchase Wrexham, the third-oldest professional football (soccer) club in the world, for $2.5 million.
The formerly struggling soccer club scored a 3-1 victory on Saturday over London-based Boreham Wood, winning them the Vanarama National League title.
As a result of their win, Wrexham AFC will be promoted from the National League–the fifth tier of the English football league system–to the English Football League Two for the first time in 15 years next season.
Fellow actor Paul Rudd—who was also watching the match at the Racecourse Ground stadium in Wrexham, Wales—managed to catch Reynolds clutching his head from excitement and McElhenney wiping tears of joy before the two team co-owners embraced each other.
Reynolds shared the clip on Twitter and captioned it with:
"Rob and I kinda blacked out during this moment, but somehow we’ll never forget it."
You can watch the celebratory moment, here.
Congrats were in order.
Reynolds and McElhenney got it in spades after their investment paid off.
The fact Rudd must've predicted the celebratory feat was not lost on fans.
After observing the uplifting moment, Reynolds commented:
“One thing that is running through my head over and over again, is that people said at the beginning, ’Why Wrexham, why Wrexham?′"
"This is exactly why Wrexham.”
Prior to their takeover of Wrexham, neither Reynolds nor McElhenney had substantial knowledge about soccer–referred to as football by most of the world–or much about the industrial town located in the northern region of Wales where the football club is based.
The behind-the-scenes process of their takeover of Wrexham was covered in the 2022 Disney+ documentary series Welcome to Wrexham.
The Hollywood business venture helped the club gain a global cult following which eventually led to its lucrative EFL promotion.
Out on the field, McElhenney said:
“We can feel what it means to the town. This is a moment of catharsis for them and celebration."
"For us to be welcomed into the community, and to be welcomed into this experience, has been the honor of my life.”
Reynolds added while still in a victory haze:
“I’m not sure I can actually process what happened tonight. I’m still a little speechless.”
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u/Duskymoonlight/Reddit