Actor Michael Sheen staged another offering of his viral motivational speech... this time in front of the Wales squad, as they prepare to embark on their first World Cup journey since 1958.
The Golden Globe winning actor made quite the splash when he went viral on social media earlier this month with a stunning showing on Sky’s A League of Their Own, as he gave a remarkable speech after being asked what he would say to the Wales squad ahead of their first game at the tournament in Qatar.
The 53-year-old left the likes of Jamie Redknapp, Micah Richards and more guests stunned into silence with his brilliant monologue.
Having been invited to meet the Wales squad during their Vale of Glamorgan camp during the most recent international break, Sheen was presented with a signed national team shirt with his name on the back, as well as a bottle of whiskey.
The squad then appealed for him to repeat his speech, something that he was happy to oblige with - albeit with a twist.
During the speech, Sheen bellowed: “Yma o hyd, yma o hyd, I hear the voices singing. Speed your journey, bois bach. One nation, singing with one voice, a song of hope, a song of courage. A victory song that floats through, the valleys, like a red mist, rolls over the mountain tops, like crimson thunder. A red storm is coming to the gates of Qatar.
“It crackles, with the spirit of '58 and Jimmy Murphy's boys. It turns the pages of the history books and finds Rob's page, there waiting to be written, still waiting to be written. What would you write there, boys. Dare you write your names on that page?
“64 years and far from home. Far from the old land of our fathers. When you are standing there listening to that song of songs shoulder to shoulder with the lads in this room, teammates, friends, brothers, princes all selected by the divine.
“When you are standing there side by side and that holy song begins, 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 back. That’s the people of Wales, your people. Feel their breath quickening with yours.
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“Hear their blood running in your ears, pounding in your hearts, bursting in your chests. That’s the blood of Wales, that’s your blood. Red as the ancient book of dreams. Red as the rising flag of Merthyr.
"Because that’s what you carry with you boys across 64 years. Across half the span of the world, it’s there on your chest. It’s there at your back. It’s there at your side.
“They will always say we’re too small, too slow, too weak, too full of fear but But yma o hyd, you sons of Speed and they fall around us. We are still here. Come on Wales! Come on!”
Following his rousing speech, the Hollywood actor claimed that he was “still available” to join the Wales squad ahead of the World Cup but did indicate how exhausted that the speech had made him.
