Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac set the standard for what it means to be a celebrity football club owner.
Four years ago, Wrexham were sold to the North American duo for £2m.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac want Premier League football, and they are now just one division away from achieving that.
The Red Dragons have won three promotions in a row, and Reynolds expects another promotion by 2027.
No side in the history of English football had climbed three divisions in three seasons when starting in the fifth tier or higher prior to Wrexham.
But there is a side in France on a similarly impressive rise that has now received celebrity investment.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesNovak Djokovic invests in ‘French Wrexham’
Le Mans Sports Club were founded in 1900 and spent many years in the lower leagues of French football.
In 2024/25, they finished second in the third tier, securing promotion up to Ligue 2 ahead of 2025/26.
Their meteoric rise, which saw them in the fifth tier nine years ago, has seen them earn the nickname the ‘French Wrexham’, as per the Sun.
Now, as well as jumping out to the second division in their country at the same time as Wrexham, Le Mans now have their own celebrity investment.
This comes with Tennis icon Novak Djokovic, and former F1 drivers Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen, buying a stake in the club.
On the investment, Massa said: “I think everyone knows my passion for football, which is leading me to take this step today.
“Le Mans FC has a strong connection with motorsport, and when my good friend and partner Georgios Frangulis presented the project to me, I wanted to be a part of it.
“Especially alongside people I deeply respect, like Djokovic, who needs no introduction, and Magnussen, with whom I shared many years in Formula One.
“It’s undeniably a great opportunity, taking advantage of the momentum of French football, the reigning Champions League champion, which is currently attracting significant investment.”
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesRyan Reynolds and Rob Mac will face celebrity owners in 2025/26
While Wrexham will not be competing against Le Mans anytime soon, there are some big Championship clubs looking to copy the success of Reynolds and Mac.
Tom Wagner hit out at Wrexham fans following their comments on Birmingham City, who NFL icon Tom Brady is invested in.
Elsewhere, Welsh rivals Swansea City are now partners with Snoop Dogg going into the new campaign.
The Blues also won promotion from League One last term, while Swansea have remained in the second tier for several years.