Credit: Imago and Rotten Tomatoes via YouTube

Daniel Lewis

Sat 28 March 2026 14:10, UK

Tomas Soucek invoked his inner Braveheart as the West Ham United favourite issued a rallying cry while away on Czechia duty.

The 31-year-old is an iconic figure in Czechia football, having been crowned the European nation’s Player of the Year four separate times.

However, Soucek was stripped of the captaincy and dropped for Thursday’s World Cup qualifying play-off against Republic of Ireland.

That was due to the fallout from scenes after November’s win over Gibraltar, in which he and some team-mates failed to go over to the supporters.

But as Soucek has so often also done for West Ham, he more than showed his worth when being brought off the bench against Ireland.

Tomas Soucek helps Czechia over the line, shares powerful message

Soucek was brought on at half-time in Thursday’s clash at Fortuna Arena in Prague, at which point Czechia had pulled it back to 2-1 after falling two goals down.

The 31-year-old then played his part as his country battled back to 2-2 and then went on to win on penalties set up a qualifying final against Denmark on Tuesday.

And speaking to reporters after the match, Soucek made clear he will always continue to give his absolute all for Czechia.

“It was not about me, but about the team,” he said. “They can take my armband, but they can’t take my heart.”

The quote was as inspiring as they come, and has similarities to the words ushered by William Wallace in 1995 hit Braveheart, in which he said: “Tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom!”

Even Czechia head coach Ivan Koubek accepted overlooking Soucek was a gamble, adding: “I explained it to him. He accepted it as a professional. Everything is fine.”

Soucek exit at West Ham could be weeks away

Soucek showed for Czechia what he so often still does for West Ham in that he can still play an important role.

So often the midfielder has been linked with an exit; so often he has stayed at London Stadium and still cannot be truly shifted.

However, it sounds as though Soucek is open to leaving West Ham this summer, which would leave a void to be filled.

Soucek will always be remembered by Hammers fans when he does eventually move on, whether this summer or beyond, having given his absolute all for the Irons.