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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.
\u201cRob and I kinda blacked out during this moment, but somehow we\u2019ll never forget it. \n\n\ud83c\udfa5: Paul Rudd\n\ncc: @wrexham_afc - @RMcElhenney\u201d— Ryan Reynolds (@Ryan Reynolds) 1682278054
Congrats were in order.
Reynolds and McElhenney got it in spades after their investment paid off.
\u201c@VancityReynolds @Wrexham_AFC @RMcElhenney Congrats, Ryan! You guys are building something special.\u201d— Ryan Reynolds (@Ryan Reynolds) 1682278054
\u201c@VancityReynolds @Wrexham_AFC @RMcElhenney A Hollywood dream in Wrexham, this is fairy tale stuff boys. Congratulations on making a lot of people very happy!! \u2764\ufe0f\u201d— Ryan Reynolds (@Ryan Reynolds) 1682278054
\u201c@VancityReynolds @Wrexham_AFC @RMcElhenney Truly moving to see owners so invested in a club and it\u2019s very essence. Love it!\u201d— Ryan Reynolds (@Ryan Reynolds) 1682278054
\u201c@VancityReynolds @Wrexham_AFC @RMcElhenney This is football at its best, well done \ud83d\udc4f\u201d— Ryan Reynolds (@Ryan Reynolds) 1682278054
\u201c@VancityReynolds @Wrexham_AFC @RMcElhenney So cool to see. Vision plus execution results in a fantastic win that went far beyond just the game. Congrats. \ud83d\ude0e\u201d— Ryan Reynolds (@Ryan Reynolds) 1682278054
\u201c@VancityReynolds @Wrexham_AFC @RMcElhenney And somehow we all felt the same as well on the journey with you. Bravo gentleman, well deserved \ud83d\udc4f\u201d— Ryan Reynolds (@Ryan Reynolds) 1682278054
\u201c@VancityReynolds @Wrexham_AFC @RMcElhenney Congrats to you & @RMcElhenney man that feeling must have been something special \ud83d\udc4f\u201d— Ryan Reynolds (@Ryan Reynolds) 1682278054
\u201c@VancityReynolds @Wrexham_AFC @RMcElhenney That hug. \ud83e\udd79\ud83e\udd79\ud83e\udd79\ud83e\udd79\u201d— Ryan Reynolds (@Ryan Reynolds) 1682278054
The fact Rudd must've predicted the celebratory feat was not lost on fans.
\u201c@VancityReynolds @Wrexham_AFC @RMcElhenney The fact Paul Rudd filmed it, unreal \ud83e\udd29\u201d— Ryan Reynolds (@Ryan Reynolds) 1682278054
\u201c@miarobbo3 @VancityReynolds @Wrexham_AFC @RMcElhenney Paul understood the assignment \nyes he got to be there but he knew he had to get that special moment in close just incase\u201d— Ryan Reynolds (@Ryan Reynolds) 1682278054
\u201c@VancityReynolds @Wrexham_AFC @RMcElhenney a true friend for filming the moment \ud83e\udd7a\u201d— Ryan Reynolds (@Ryan Reynolds) 1682278054
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.”