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Cult hero 'The Beast' receives huge surprise after 'best interview ever'

Adebayo Akinfenwa, also known as 'The Beast', made an all-time speech and received a shock from Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp after he helped Wycombe reach The Championship for the first time in 133 years. (Images: Sky Sports/Getty Images)
Adebayo Akinfenwa, also known as 'The Beast', made an all-time speech and received a shock from Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp after he helped Wycombe reach The Championship for the first time in 133 years. (Images: Sky Sports/Getty Images)

Football cult hero Adebayo Akinfenwa, also known as ‘The Beast’ for his hulking frame, completed an incredible night after Wycombe’s promotion to The Championship with one of the ‘best interviews ever’.

Akinfenwa’s story is an incredible journey after the burly striker was ‘technically unemployed’ when he was finishing up his final game for AFC Wimbledon when they were promoted four years ago.

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In a desperate attempt, the larger-than-life character asked managers to ‘hit me up on WhatsApp’ as he tried to keep his dream alive and play in The Championship.

After Wycombe signed the ‘The Beast’, the striker helped Wycombe reach The Championship for the first time in its 133-year history after beating Oxford 2-1 at Wembley.

This prompted ‘The Beast’ to claim the only person he wanted to hit him up on WhatsApp this time around was Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

“Four years ago I stood in front of you and I was technically unemployed,” an excited Akinfenwa told Sky Sports.

“Let me tell you something. The only one that can hit me up on WhatsApp this time is (Jurgen) Klopp, so we can celebrate together.”

The 38-year-old striker then went on to give an emotional speech about not giving up on his dream.

“For me, life and football is all about opinions. Four years ago someone gave an opinion about me, and that was their opinion,” he said.

“I hope my story shows, that the only opinion that matters is the opinion you have about yourself.

“I was lucky and blessed to find a manager and players that believed in me.”

Jurgen Klopp reaches out to ‘The Beast’

But in an incredible twist, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp sent Akinfenwa a video message on WhatsApp and congratulated him on his success.

“Hello big man. Congratulations. I watched the game but I didn’t see the post-match interviews but Hendo and the boys told me to get in contact with you on WhatsApp so here we go,” Klopp said in the video.

“Congratulations! I’m pretty sure your whole life you wanted to be at least a Championship player and now, finally, you are there. Well done. Great, great victory.

“Even in these strange times I hope you celebrate appropriately.”

Akinfenwa was delighted with Klopp’s call out and thanked the beloved coach.

“Are u crazyyyyyyy the man, the myth, the legend sent me a Watsapp. Today can’t get any better. Thank you Klopp,” he wrote on Twitter.