Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani was left overjoyed during a weekend podcast appearance when he received well wishes from former English soccer star Ian Wright.
The longtime Arsenal fan’s appearance on “The Adam Friedland Show” was interrupted when the comedian handed Mamdani a phone with the message from Wright, who scored 128 goals in 221 appearances for the North London-based Premier League club between 1991 and 1998.
“Hi Zohran, how you doing? Ian Wright here,” the 62-year-old ex-striker’s message began. “I just want to say a massive, massive congratulations on what you’ve achieved. The real work starts now, but God willing, you can achieve everything that you have set out to achieve.”
Zohran Mamdani received a good luck message from Ian Wright. X/AdamFriedland
Mamdani and President Trump in the Oval Office on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. AP
A visibly stunned Mamdani, 34, sputtered “What?” as the video began, then directed an “I love you” at Wright’s image on the screen.
Wright concluded his message by telling Mamdani that his favorite soccer team was “gonna need some of that winning energy that you’ve got, my friend, and get behind the boys. It’s a long way to go, just have to stay calm, back [manager] Mikel [Arteta], and all the boys.
Soccer legend Ian Wright in October 2025. Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireImage
“Up the Gunners, baby. Take it easy and God bless, my friend.”
“I’m gonna watch it again,” Mamdani told Friedland after the message from Wright ended. “I love this man.”
Soccer legend Ian Wright playing for Arsenal. Getty Images
The surprise wrapped up a happy weekend for Mamdani, whose beloved Gunners defeated local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, 4-1, earlier Sunday to move six points clear in England’s top division.
That result followed an unexpectedly warm meeting at the White House between Mamdani and President Trump, during which the commander-in-chief said he would be “cheering” for the Democratic socialist to “really do something great for New York.”