Lionel Messi is the latest in a long list of names to have taken inspiration from Wrexham – a sentence most fans of the club probably never thought they would read just a few years ago.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have been owners of Wrexham for over three and a half years now.
At the time of purchase, the Red Dragons were languishing in the National League and seemed destined to spend the rest of their years in that division.
However, thanks to the backing of the Hollywood duo, Phil Parkinson – after a play-off final defeat the season prior – won promotion with the club in 2022/23.
It’s not just on the field where the Welsh side have transformed following the arrival of McElhenney and Reynolds, however.
Just last week, Channing Tatum watched Wrexham alongside Reynolds when they drew 2-2 Cambridge United.
Green Day singer Billy Joe Armstrong, Brandon Sklenar, and Dion Dublin were also at that game, while Lionel Messi is pretty bizarrely now tied to Wrexham thanks to their owners.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds inspired Lionel Messi Disney+ series
After purchasing the club, McElhenney and Reynolds began producing a documentary series named ‘Welcome to Wrexham‘
The documentary is now in its third season and has seen the little town in Wales expand its audience massively.
Welcome to Wrexham is shown on Disney+ and after the success of that series, World Soccer Talk are reporting that Lionel Messi’s upcoming show was inspired by Rob and Ryan.
A new animated series named ‘Messi and the Giants’ is set to premiere on the Disney Channel before streaming on Disney+ worldwide. An official release date for the show is yet to be announced.
On his new show, Messi said: “I always dreamed of being involved in a project that would share the values of sports, the very same values that have been so important to my career, with younger generations.”
When will ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ season 4 debut
While fans are no doubt pleased to see their club inspiring the likes of Messi, they are probably more excited to watch season four of Welcome to Wrexham.
A fourth season of the show has already been confirmed, but an exact date is yet to be announced.
Season three of the documentary aired in April 2024 and while only speculation at this point, it seems likely the new season will have a similar release date.
‘Welcome to Wrexham’ is available to watch on Disney+ worldwide and also on FX for those based in the United States.