It looks like Micah Richards may have accidentally revealed which football team truly has his heart after Arsenal’s stunning win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.
While chatting with Bukayo Saka after the match, Richards seemed to let slip his allegiance to a certain Premier League club, sparking speculation among fans and pundits alike.
A Complicated Football Allegiance
Richards’ true team has been the subject of much curiosity for years.
Born in Birmingham, he made his way through various youth academies, including Leeds United, before moving on to play for Oldham and then Manchester City.
He spent a decade with City, making a significant impact in the first team, before moving to Aston Villa to finish his playing career.
Despite his long tenure at Manchester City, Richards has often hinted that he has a soft spot for Arsenal.
This feeling was particularly evident during his post-match interview with Saka, where he was clearly showering the young star with admiration and support.
The Moment Richards Gave It Away
During the interview with Saka, Richards couldn’t contain his excitement and affection for the player.
Speaking into the camera, he addressed Saka with an endearing tone: “Saka! (It’s) Big Meeks, Uncle Meeks! You know I love you, I love you so much! What a player, what a guy. Come on, let’s bring it home now, eh?”
Saka laughed at the unexpected outpouring of praise, but what really caught attention was Richards’ use of the phrase “let’s bring it home,” which seemed to be a strong indication of his support for Arsenal.
His fellow pundit, Thierry Henry, appeared puzzled and asked, “Are you an Arsenal fan or not?” To which Richards responded, albeit sheepishly, “Sometimes.”
While Richards might not have fully committed in his answer, the whole interaction, along with his enthusiastic words to Saka, made it clear that he has a soft spot for Arsenal.
Richards’ Dual Allegiance Revealed Earlier This Year
Richards’ football loyalties became a topic of much discussion earlier this year when he revealed, somewhat shockingly, that he supports two Premier League teams.
During an appearance on A League Of Their Own, he was questioned by Everton fan Tony Bellew about which team he supports.
Richards’ answer was both funny and surprising.
When Bellew asked, “Who do you support?” Richards responded, “Well, depends if I’m on air or off air.”
Bellew pushed him to give a straight answer, and Richards jokingly said, “Man City.”
However, the host, Romesh Ranganathan, teased, “Off air: Arsenal!” Richards chuckled and confirmed, “Yes!”
This revelation left fans laughing and puzzled, especially when Richards also admitted his support for Manchester City.
It seems the former player is caught between two football giants, much to the amusement of many.
A Punditry Blunder and City Fans’ Reaction
While Richards is vocal about his affection for both clubs, not everyone is happy with his dual loyalty.
In a recent stint as a pundit for the BBC during the FA Cup, Richards made a comment that ruffled the feathers of Manchester City fans.
Following Fulham’s penalty shootout win over Manchester United, Richards said, “It’s very open now, what a chance for a team to go and win it.
All the big teams are out.” His implication that City wasn’t a “big team” sparked anger from the club’s supporters, who quickly took to social media to express their displeasure.
Despite the criticism, Manchester City is still very much in the FA Cup, facing Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals, while Aston Villa will go head-to-head with Crystal Palace in the other match.