Nigerian actor Richard Mofe-Damijo popularly known as RMD, has revealed that Arsenal’s 2026 Premier League triumph had a surprising impact beyond football, saying it helped turn his wife into a believer after two decades of disappointment and doubt.
A lifelong supporter of Arsenal F.C., RMD shared the emotional reflection on his official Instagram page, describing the title win as a moment that restored happiness in his home after years of what he called “skepticism” shaped by repeated heartbreaks.
He recounted how his wife lost faith in the club following years of painful results, particularly a long-remembered Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, which he said left a lasting emotional mark on their household.
He said, “For over twenty years, my wife never truly believed in Arsenal again and honestly, I couldn’t blame her. I still remember that painful night when we lost the UEFA Champions League final to Barcelona. I was completely shattered, standing in the living room, angry, emotional, and devastated over a football match. She couldn’t understand how something like that could hurt so deeply. I didn’t eat. I barely spoke. And somehow, that moment lingered in our home for years.
“From that day on, she became the biggest sceptic in the house. Even if we were 3–0 up with just minutes left, she’d still expect us to slip and somehow lose. The emotional scars of supporting this club ran that deep.
“But today feels different. After 20 long years of hope, heartbreak, banter, patience, and unwavering loyalty, Arsenal are finally EPL champions. And the best part? The biggest critic in my home is now a believer again.
“This victory means more than football to me. It represents every season we held on, every disappointment we endured, every moment we were laughed at and every time we still chose to believe that maybe next year would be our year.
“Well… today is that day. Today, we wear the crown. Today, we celebrate glory. Today, we are champions.”
Beyond football, RMD remains one of Nollywood’s most respected figures, known for his enduring career and versatility across film and television for more than four decades.
He won the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2005, received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, and was later honoured with the Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards in 2024.
