The Day Leicester City Made Me Cry Twice
It wasn’t just me. Millions were on the edge of their seats, listening to Andrea Bocelli’s soaring aria as Leicester City clinched the Premier League title in 2016 – an moment that felt more for us than for the massive clubs that dominate the headlines.
When a Championship Became a Collective Triumph
Claudio Ranieri had everything lined up to make that night unforgettable. He knew a single chant wouldn’t be enough to remember the victory. The Foxes needed something that touched the heart and the soul.
Enter Bocelli. He sang “Nessun Dorma,” and as the final notes rang out, he slipped off his jacket, revealing a crisp Leicester jersey. The stadium roared. Ranieri could not hold back, and neither could I. The world, that gigantic, silent audience, broke open in tears.
Even the World Cup finals and Euro shows couldn’t match the emotional catharsis of that instant. That’s when a seasoned writer like myself—until then a schoolboy in every moment—found himself sobbing. The dream of an underdog triumph proved that miracles happen, but only once.
Two Tears in a Night
Last night I rewatched the clip on YouTube. It still sends chills down my spine. First, Ranieri sobbing, Bocelli singing to a soaked crowd, and then a black‑and‑white frame of a smiling man clapping – Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the man with the heart that made it all happen.
It’s time to say goodbye.
Vichai: A Legend Beyond the Pitch
In 2016, Vichai turned an impossible dream into reality for Leicester. Yesterday, thousands of fans returned to the King Power Stadium to pay their respects. A handful of senior ladies described him as “one of our family” in their own lens, quoting Sky News about his unique place in the club’s heartbeat.
From free beer every year for his birthday celebrations to complimentary scarves and season tickets, he pushed generosity to every corner of the city. He donated £2 million to a children’s hospital and another £1 million to the university’s medical department. Even a man with a £5 billion net worth couldn’t resist giving back.
Rescuing a Club When It Needed It Most
In 2008, the Foxes had slid into the third tier and were on the brink of bankruptcy. Long‑serving staff were laid off, and the club’s survival was in jeopardy. Vichai stepped in two years later, buying the club for £39 million, injecting £100 million, and swapping it for shares. The end result? A debt‑free club on the path to becoming one of the most inspiring Premier League tales ever.
The Legacy of “Doing a Leicester”
Vichai’s ruthless business sense didn’t stop him from reshaping the Leicester boardroom, ousting managers like Ranieri when necessary. Yet his steadfast commitment turned the Foxes into a beacon for underdogs worldwide.
“Doing a Leicester” now stands as a phrase that means: overcome the odds, defy the incumbents, and turn an unlikely dream into triumph. Thanks to Vichai, that phrase lives on in the sporting lexicon.
A Final Tribute
He was no minnow; he was one of Asia’s richest men. But he put his capital where the faith was brightest – for the underdogs. That’s why he will be remembered as a giant by every club that believes in the impossible.
In the wind and echoing chants, the gleam of his smile still lights up the balcony where he once celebrated that unforgettable day. The world wept, the club rose, and Vichai’s perpetual gift of hope will outlive the stadium lights.
