NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Wrexham’s meteoric rise under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac has seen the club dominate headlines across the globe and now they are tipped to chase the biggest icons in football history.
Former Premier League manager Tony Pulis believes North Wales possess the unique pull required to lure the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar to the Racecourse Ground.
The Hollywood revolution continues
Since Reynolds and Mac’s high-profile takeover in February 2021, Wrexham have evolved from a struggling National League outfit into a global phenomenon. On the pitch, success has been as rapid as commercial growth, with Phil Parkinson leading the Reds to a historic run of three successive promotions.
The club’s most recent campaign saw them finish seventh in the Championship, narrowly missing out on a play-off spot by just two points. As they prepare for a future assault on the Premier League, speculation is beginning to mount over what world-class talent could be brought in to spearhead their top-flight ambitions.
Chasing the impossible dream
While the idea of signing multiple Ballon d’Or winners may seem like a fantasy to most clubs outside of Europe’s elite or the Saudi Pro League, Pulis insists Wrexham should put no limits on their ambitions. The Welsh manager believes that the combination of the charisma of the owners and the growing stature of the club makes everything possible.
Discussing who the club should target next, Pulis told BOYLE Sports, which offers the latest football odds: “Wrexham’s next big signing? Cristiano, Messi, Neymar – why not? It’s a wonderful place, Wales. Especially North Wales. A beautiful country.”
Selling North Wales charm
As well as the financial backing of the Hollywood duo and lucrative sponsorship deals, Pulis believes Wales’ natural beauty and culture provide a unique selling point that could attract global superstars. Even with the trio of Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar currently playing in the US, Saudi Arabia and Brazil, Pulis claims Welsh hospitality is second to none.
“Just tell them the sun never stops shining and the food is absolutely amazing,” Pulis joked. “Even if the weather is wet, you wouldn’t find a hotter bunch of people than the Welsh anywhere in the world. That’s your real selling point for bringing a superstar over to Wrexham.”
Scheduling the Premier League
The goal for the Red Dragons remains clear: to secure a place in the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history in the 2026-27 season. Parkinson has expressed satisfaction with his current squad, which includes five players who have famously been part of all three promotion campaigns, but admits upgrades will be needed to reach the next level.
Whether Reynolds and McElhenney can actually pull off a move for one of the game’s “Big Three” remains to be seen, but the club’s trajectory suggests few would bet against them.
