Michael Sheen Gives Super-Inspiring Speech to Wales' Soccer Team Ahead of World Cup
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Any Michael Sheen fan knows he's a proud Welshman, and he's just shown his deep-rooted patriotism with a visit to the Wales soccer team.
In a video shared on YouTube, Sheen is presented with an honorary Wales soccer shirt with his name on the back by team manager Robert Page. He then delivers a stirring motivational speech to the team ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which takes place in Qatar in November and December.
"Close your eyes and feel the breath on the back of your necks. Because that's every man, woman, and child in this old land standing there with you at your backs," Sheen tells the team. "That’s the people of Wales, your people. "Feel their breath quickening with yours. Hear their blood drumming in your ears, pounding through your heart, bursting through your chest. That's the blood of Wales, your blood, red as the ancient book of dreams. Red as the rising flag of Merthyr. Red as the great wall of Gwalia. Because that’s what you carry with you, boys."
Gwalia, in case you're wondering, is an ancient name for Wales. You can check out the full speech below.
This isn't the first time Sheen has used his formidable public speaking skills to rally the Wales soccer team. Earlier this month he gave an equally evocative pep talk on the sports quiz show A League of Their Own, which you can watch here.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is an especially huge deal for Wales because the country's national team has only qualified for a soccer World Cup once before – way back in 1958. In this year's tournament in Qatar, Wales have been drawn into the same first-round group as England, the United States, and Iran. Expect their match against neighbors England to be an especially hard-fought contest.
Are you impressed with Sheen's skills as a motivational speaker?