Prince William’s insightful commentary on football has sparked considerable interest, potentially paving the way for a return to television analysis following his well-received appearance discussing Aston Villa’s Champions League campaign.
The Prince of Wales, an ardent supporter of the Birmingham club, recently joined established pundits Rio Ferdinand and Ally McCoist in a pre-match discussion ahead of their encounter with Paris Saint-Germain. The six-minute segment quickly gained traction, amassing nearly a million views within 24 hours on X (formerly Twitter).
Ferdinand humorously acknowledged William’s aptitude for the role, quipping, “Don’t go for a punditry job please – because I could be out of a job!” Industry professionals were impressed by the Prince’s knowledge of the game, noting his keen understanding of tactical approaches.
According to a royal source, “Prince William thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would certainly welcome an opportunity to repeat it. He’s a dedicated football enthusiast who has been captivated by Aston Villa’s performance this season.”
The Prince expressed his belief in football’s unifying power, stating:
“The beautiful game has the ability to forge connections within communities,”
and he was pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response to his appearance. Broadcasters at TNT are reportedly enthusiastic about the segment’s success and eager for William to return.
Given his position as patron of the Football Association, Prince William could be invited to future broadcasts, including Villa’s second-leg match against PSG in Birmingham, which will be shown on Amazon Prime, and Aston Villa’s FA Cup semi-final clash with Crystal Palace on April 26, set to air on the BBC.
William’s commitment to supporting Aston Villa extends beyond occasional appearances. Last month, he made an impromptu visit to the club’s training ground while en route to another royal engagement.
During this visit, he engaged with players ahead of their crucial Champions League second leg match against Club Brugge and subsequently posted pictures and a message of encouragement on his Instagram account.
In a recent interview with *The Sun*, Prince William lauded Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, specifically praising the manager’s “intricate tactical tweaks and formations” as instrumental in the team’s achievements.
- Prince William recently appeared alongside Rio Ferdinand and Ally McCoist to discuss Aston Villa’s Champions League match.
- The segment garnered nearly a million views on X within 24 hours.
- William is believed to be open to future appearances as a football analyst.
- He praised Unai Emery’s tactical approach as key to Aston Villa’s success.
