Ne-Yo has been in the UK recently while touring alongside Akon, giving him time to take in one of English soccer’s biggest fixtures.
The R&B superstar attended Manchester United against Liverpool at Old Trafford on 3 May, during a break in his busy schedule.
He has now opened up on what it felt like inside ‘The Theatre of Dreams’, and the experience clearly stayed with him.
Ne-Yo says attending Man United vs Liverpool is a legit ‘experience’
Speaking on Capital XTRA Breakfast with Robert Bruce and Shayna Marie this Tuesday, Ne-Yo was asked about watching the North West Derby from the stands.
He said: “I’ve been to a game before, but it wasn’t that. Like, I went in, shook hands with some people, and then we left.
“I didn’t get to stay and actually watch the game. This time, I got to sit and watch the game and feel the energy when somebody gets a goal and, like, it is electric! And mind you, one of the coolest yet scariest things.”
The 46-year-old star added: “So, mind you, there’s 80,000 people in there, right? 70,000 people are from Manchester United, and the other 10,000 are stuck in this little corner right on the side, surrounded by police.
“Just in case anything goes wrong. And I’m like, ‘Okay, if anything does go wrong, then police is not stopping 70,000 people from jumping on these 10!’ But yeah, it was an experience to say the least. I would absolutely do it again!”
His reaction is understandable for someone not deeply embedded in soccer culture. United against Liverpool is not a normal game, but one of England’s fiercest rivalries.
The match also delivered a wild script. United let a 2-0 lead slip early in the second half, before Kobbie Mainoo scored the winner in a dramatic 3-2 victory.