The 12 boys who were trapped for almost three weeks in a flooded cave in Thailand enjoyed an incredible weekend when they became the special guests at Manchester United‘s match against Everton.
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The boys and their coach, 25-year-old Ekapol Chanthawong, had been exploring the Tham Luang cave complex on June 23 when they became trapped due to flash floods. Divers and professionals from around the world rallied together and after 18 days, the young football team was thankfully rescued.
The boys, who play for the Wild Boars, were treated to a tour, meet and greets, and seats in the directors’ box at Old Trafford stadium on Sunday. If the pictures are anything to go by, they were all pretty pleased about it.
United uploaded a bunch of photos to their Twitter account with the caption: “A special day for the Wild Boars Football Team.”
A special day for the Wild Boars Football Team. ✨ #MUFC pic.twitter.com/n8E05VYEnb
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 27, 2018
Earlier, the team were also personally greeted – with a big ol’ hug – by United coach José Mourinho.
Just a tad wholesome.
Jose meets the Wild Boars ❤🙏
It’s a pleasure to welcome the young Thai footballers who were rescued from a cave earlier this year. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/tcMVUzUJl6
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 27, 2018
In the dressing rooms, the young guns got to meet a bunch of United stars including Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, Fred Rodrigues, Anthony Martial, Ashley Young, Andreas Pereira, and Diogo Dalot.
Welcome to #MUFC, Wild Boars! 😍 pic.twitter.com/lb3fLppDwW
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 27, 2018
When the boys were first rescued three months ago, Manchester posted a tweet sharing their relief as well as an invitation to the Old Trafford.
“#MUFC is relieved to learn that the 12 footballers and their coach trapped in a cave in Thailand are now safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected. We would love to welcome the team from Wild Boars Football Club and their rescuers to Old Trafford this coming season.”
#MUFC is relieved to learn that the 12 footballers and their coach trapped in a cave in Thailand are now safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected.
We would love to welcome the team from Wild Boars Football Club and their rescuers to Old Trafford this coming season. pic.twitter.com/5CGMoD1Msq
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 10, 2018
Earlier this month, the boys and their coach took part in their first in-studio interview on The Ellen Show where Ellen treated them to a surprise appearance of another of the boys’ football idols, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
You can watch the interview, HERE.
