Prince William surprised and delighted football fans with his impromptu punditry debut on TNT Sports.
The Prince of Wales joined the TNT Sports broadcast team prior to Aston Villa`s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain in Paris.
Prince William, a known Aston Villa supporter, is frequently seen at their matches at Villa Park.
He confessed to feeling “pretty terrified” about the significant game against PSG, marking Aston Villa`s first Champions League quarter-final appearance since 1983.
Speaking before the match, and recalling with Ally McCoist that he was born shortly after Aston Villa`s 1982 European Cup victory, he joked about his attire: “I`m wearing all my lucky clothes and bits and pieces. I hope it`s going to bring some luck tonight.”
When asked about his expectations for the team, he commented on PSG`s intense play against Liverpool, noting their high pressure in the first leg. He suggested that Aston Villa manager Unai Emery would need to manage this pressure. He pondered tactics, considering both long ball strategies and methods to bypass PSG`s high press.
Rio Ferdinand, a Manchester United legend and Champions League winner, playfully warned Prince William against pursuing a punditry career, jesting that William`s insightful analysis might cost him his job. Ferdinand admitted he might “nick” William`s analysis for his own use later.
Fans online were equally impressed, with comments like “Better analysis than most pundits,” “Prince William knows football,” and “He knows his stuff defo,” reflecting the positive reception to his brief foray into football analysis. Sports presenter Laura Woods also acknowledged his appearance with applause emojis.
Prince William was accompanied by his son, George, at Parc des Princes. They were seen enthusiastically celebrating Aston Villa`s opening goal by Morgan Rogers, which came from a swift counter-attack. However, their joy was short-lived as PSG quickly equalized and eventually secured a 3-1 victory, leaving Aston Villa with a challenging task for the second leg.
Regarding his trip with his son, Prince William, also the FA President, emphasized the importance of “making memories.” He anticipated a strong Aston Villa fan presence and expressed his hope that the experience would be memorable for George, marking a significant outing in a major competition.
