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Mathew Davies

Sporting icon in awe after Michael Sheen's viral Wales speech despite not knowing who he is or what he's saying

As endorsements go, it's got to be up there with the best.

Michael Sheen's speech on A League of Their Own on Thursday night has not only given goosebumps to viewers, it has gotten the attention of one of the most iconic sportsmen alive.

Legendary Hollywood actor Sheen was asked by show host Romesh Ranganathan if he would be able to give the audience a taste of what his pre-match speech would be to the Welsh players ahead of their World Cup clash with England, which is set to take place on November 29 at the tournament in Qatar.

READ MORE: Don't Take Me Home: Get the latest Wales football team news sent straight to you

You can watch Sheen's speech here.

Sheen delivers a rousing team talk to a spellbound audience as his fellow panelists Jamie Redknapp, Micah Richards, comedians Emily Atack and Alex Brooker, as well as Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, watch on.

The clip posted to social media has gone viral with thousands sharing the footage on Twitter. And Olympic icon-turned-broadcaster Michael Johnson, one of the biggest sporting names on the planet, has been left inspired by Sheen's delivery - despite not having a clue who he is or what he is saying.

He wrote: "I have no idea what this is or who he is. Some of it I have no idea what he’s even saying. But this sounds awesome!"

Johnson, aged 54, is widely regarded as one of the best athletes of all time, winning four Olympic gold medals and eight World Championship golds.

Michael Sheen's speech in full

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, waiting, still to be written,

What would you write in there, boys?

Dare you write your names on that page?

We haven't waited 64 years and come half way around the world,

To be troubled by a neighbour from back home,

When the English coming knock on our door,

Let's give them some sugar, boys, let's give them some Welsh sugar,

They've always said we are too small, we are too slow, we are too weak, too full of fear,

But yma o hyd, you sons of Speed,

And they fall around us,

We are still here.

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