5 Times Prince William Showed Off His Football Skills Before His Latest Superfan Moment

Few royals wear their love for soccer on their sleeves the way Prince William does. Recently, he was spotted having a superfan moment in Istanbul, erupting with immense joy as Aston Villa won its very first UEFA Europa League trophy in over four decades. But long before he was spotted being a devoted follower of his favorite football club from the stands during the final match, the Prince had already built a reputation for enthusiastically stepping onto the pitch himself. Time and again, William has showcased his surprising football skills during many major events all around the world.  

One of William’s earliest and most remembered soccer moments came in October 2013. It was when the then-Duke of Cambridge joked before the first official soccer match at Buckingham Palace. “I cannot tell you how excited I am that later today we will be playing football on my grandmother’s lawn. One warning, though: if anyone breaks a window, you can answer to her.” As he was the president of the Football Association at the time, William described soccer as “a chance to escape with friends and family and enjoy its virtues, teamwork, competition, endeavor, and, more occasionally on my part, skill.” As he wore the boots, which were a gift from the legend himself, Wayne Rooney, the prince joined training sessions at the Palace while also highlighting the importance of grassroots volunteers in the sport.

By 2019, Prince William and Princess Kate were spotted confidently taking to the field together during a visit to Windsor Park in Northern Ireland. The royal couple joined youngsters in soccer drills while learning about projects that encouraged girls to play the sport and helped bridge community divides. Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill accompanied the pair during the engagement. The event ended with schoolchildren gifting jerseys bearing the names of their beloved children, George, Charlotte, and Louis. The relaxed appearance further solidified William’s image as one of the monarchy’s most sports-loving royals.

William’s passion for using soccer as a force for good was visible again in May 2025. That’s when he made an unannounced visit to Leith Community Center in Scotland. The prince, popularly known there as the Duke of Rothesay, showed off his footwork while wearing a suit and sneakers during drills with Street Soccer Scotland players. As he met the founder, David Duke, and participants who had experienced homelessness, William learned how the initiative was improving social connection and mental well-being for disadvantaged adults and young people alike. The engagement blended his love of the game with his long-standing charitable focus on homelessness through Homewards.

Weeks later in the same year, William headed to St. George’s Park to wish England’s Lionesses luck ahead of the UEFA Women’s Euros. During the visit, he also met coach Sarina Wiegman and even joined grassroots training sessions. He also got to spend time with young female players inspired by England’s 2022 Euros success. As a proud patron of the FA, William’s appearance shed light on how deeply embedded soccer remains within his public work, especially in encouraging opportunities for young athletes.

Then came perhaps William’s most unexpectedly skillful moment. During a 2025 visit to Brazil for the Earthshot Prize in November, the prince visited Rio’s famous Maracanã Stadium. Brazilian soccer legend Cafu accompanied him. As he took part in drills with young athletes, William stepped up for a penalty shootout and scored despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to the ball. As children chanted his name from the sidelines, the future king looked every bit as thrilled on the pitch as he later would, cheering out loud in the stands during Aston Villa’s historic night in Istanbul.