Michael Sheen is one of the UK's best actors and one of the best English-speaking actors in the world. He's also a proud Welshman and a keen footballer who almost played for Arsenal but turned to acting instead.
Source: The Wrap
Performing his best blend of Knute Rockne and William Wallace, prolific Welsh actor and BBC stalwart Michael Sheen launched into a locker-room speech for the ages Thursday night on the UK’s Sky network.
Tasked by the host of the sports comedy show “A League of Their Own” with pumping up the Wales national soccer team ahead of November’s World Cup, Sheen wasn’t addressing the Gareth Bale-led squad to their faces.
But he might as well have been.
“I have to get in the right head space now,” Sheen said before launching into the rousing speech. “OK.”
Sheen, spreading his arms with his palms open and fingers spread, then delivers a monologue to end all monologues, which you can watch and read below.
“I hear the voices singing. Speed your journey, bois bach,” the “Good Omens” star said, using the Welsh exclamation for “good heavens.”
“One nation, singing with one voice, a song of hope, a song of courage,” Sheen said, having been asked what he would say to the Welsh team specifically before their match with England, which along with the United States and Iran joined Wales in the World Cup’s Group B.
Wales will be led by Bale, the former Real Madrid superstar who signed with the MLS’ Los Angeles FC in June, three weeks after sealing the Welsh national team’s first spot in the World Cup since 1958 with the deciding goal in a 1-0 win over Ukraine.
