After an injury-hit season at Wrexham, All White Liberato Cacace will play in his first World Cup this month.
Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Photosport
All White Liberato Cacace says he had never heard of the hit documentary series Welcome to Wrexham until the Welsh club showed interest in signing him last year.
The defender is currently in Florida with the All Whites as they prepare for the Football World Cup later this month, and says returning to the national team after a frustrating year on the sidelines has made the occasion even more special.
All Whites coach Darren Bazeley called Cacace in the UK last month to tell him he had made New Zealand’s World Cup squad.
“It’s every footballer’s dream to play at a World Cup. I think a lot of us didn’t believe that we were going to, but it’s come very quick for some of us and it’s an honour to represent your country at a World Cup.”
For Cacace, the tournament comes at the end of an injury-hit first season with Wrexham AFC.
The Welsh club has become a global phenomenon since Hollywood actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds bought it in 2021. Their takeover and Wrexham’s rise through the English football pyramid have been chronicled in the award-winning documentary series Welcome to Wrexham.
Despite the show’s popularity, Cacace said he knew nothing about it when Wrexham first came calling.
“I didn’t until there was interest from the club. I wasn’t aware of it until some of my friends told me about it when I told them of the interest.
“But I did then watch the docu-series and I think it’s a good watch.”
Liberato Cacace signed a three-year deal with Wrexham last year.
Photo: Wrexham AFC / supplied
Since the takeover, Wrexham have surged from the fifth tier of English football to the Championship, one division below the Premier League.
The club narrowly missed a Championship play-off berth last season, but remain well placed to challenge for promotion to the Premier League when the new campaign begins in August.
Cacace signed a three-year deal with Wrexham last year after becoming the first New Zealander to play in Italy’s Serie A.
The Wellington-born defender spent two breakout seasons with Wellington Phoenix before moving to Belgium, then spent three years with Empoli in Italy’s top flight.
His first season in Wales, however, was disrupted by a series of hamstring and calf injuries that limited him to 13 appearances from a possible 53 matches.
Cacace returned to fitness for the final week of the season but was not used.
“I guess every player has these times in their career where they have little blips and setbacks, but it’s how the person can bounce back from those setbacks.
“It is new to me with all these injuries, but I’m just making sure I do everything I can to be fit for the World Cup.”
One of the highlights of his campaign was scoring in Wrexham’s FA Cup third-round victory over Nottingham Forest, which the Welsh club won in a penalty shootout.
Liberato Cacace celebrates after scoring the opening goal for Wrexham in their third round FA Cup match against Nottingham Forest at Wrexham in January.
Photo: AFP
Football supporters in the United Kingdom are renowned for their passion and loyalty, but Cacace said Wrexham’s fanbase stands apart.
“I don’t think I can really compare these fans with any of the fans I’ve had so far, no offence to the Phoenix fans.
“They are very supportive. It’s a packed house every time at home and they travel in big numbers to the other side of the UK sometimes. It’s very appreciated by the team.
“They are a very noisy bunch but very supportive at the same time.”
With that level of support comes extra scrutiny, but Cacace said that was part of the attraction.
“I personally enjoy the kind of pressure and the spotlight that Wrexham has. That was one of the reasons I signed, because of how big a club it is and the expectations they have.”
The fifth season of Welcome to Wrexham premiered recently and has already been renewed for three more seasons.
Cacace said the documentary crew tries to stay out of the players’ way.
“They try their best to make sure there’s not a camera right in your face, but you can definitely see there are cameras in the background most of the time. They do it so well that you’re not uncomfortable, but you’re at least aware of the cameras being around as well.
“I watched the first episode of the recent series. My mum and dad have watched the episodes and they tell me that my face pops up here and there, but I don’t think I have a full one-on-one in the episodes.”
He said the club’s rapid rise has been especially meaningful for players who were there before the Hollywood takeover.
“There’s players from when the ownership took over and they’ve got a lot of great stories from over those times.
“Players that have played in every league going up through the promotions and I think that’s a testament to their character.”
The club’s success has also transformed the fortunes of the city itself. Wrexham county has a population of 135,000, with about 61,600 in the town. Wrexham officially became a city in 2022.
“Everyone I speak to locally in Wrexham says how much of an impact the ownership has had on the team and also the team has had on the town. It’s just a great feeling around the town and they know there’s a great project here at the club and everyone’s just enjoying the ride.”
Cacace has met both owners and describes them as down to earth.
“I’ve had a chat with both of them. I’ve had phone calls with Ryan and Rob and they just want the best for each player and the club and the community of Wrexham.
“They’re just great people and you can see why they’re so successful.”
With players spread across leagues around the world, Cacace said it had been enjoyable bringing the All Whites squad together ahead of the tournament.
Liberato Cacace in action against Australia in 2022.
Photo: Jason O’Brien / www.photosport.nz
“We’re not in a really busy place in Florida but when we do walk out in numbers we do get double takes from locals.
“I think it will really hit us once we head into the official World Cup bubble next week when we head to LA, and when we get closer to the World Cup.”
Having not played since February, Cacace is eager to get minutes under his belt in New Zealand’s warm-up matches.
His first opportunity could come in the All Whites’ international friendly against Haiti on Wednesday.
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