In the wild scenes of the Portuguese second division, Courtney Reum, Paris Hilton’s brother-in-law, made his professional debut for Lank Vilaverdense at the age of 45.
Reum is a friend of the club’s owner, Canadian Adrian Johansson, and was given the opportunity to take the field in a competitive match for the now relegated side after becoming an investor.
The American had never played a professional sport and was the oldest member of the team when he was named to the bench for their league match against Torreense on Sunday.
Reum is the brother-in-law of famous businesswoman and television star Paris Hilton, the heiress of the global Hilton hotel chain.
Hilton married his brother Carter Reum in November 2021, and the couple later welcomed their first child together last year.
In wild scenes in the Portuguese second division, Courtney Reum, Paris Hilton’s brother-in-law, made his professional debut for Lank Vilaverdense at the age of 45
Reum (left) is the brother-in-law of Hilton (right), the heiress to the global Hilton hotel chain
But his presence on the football pitch angered the club’s supporters, who saw their team relegated to Portugal’s third division after being relegated following their last 1-0 defeat.
The bizarre scenario arose when Reum announced ambitious plans to help the club climb the pyramid of the Portuguese league. His introduction in the 85th minute of Sunday’s match was apparently an attempt to increase his interest in the club.
Reum was surprisingly defiant about his new status as a professional footballer, admitting that his age meant he could ‘add value’ to the team, while also comparing himself to Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who is still playing at the age of 39.
Ahead of Reum making his debut this weekend, the American said confidently: ‘I’m trying to be in good shape, I was faster when I was younger, but I can be competitive and add value. I’m getting ready to play, I feel stronger every day.
‘[Cristiano Ronaldo] is almost my age,” he further claimed in a giddy, schoolboy manner.
Posting a training video of himself on social media, Reum confirmed he was about to make his first appearance for the club, saying: ‘Yes, the rumors are true. I’m entering my Ryan Reynolds Welcome to Wrexham x Ted Lasso era with a twist, making my professional football debut (as possibly the oldest person to ever do so at this level) in Portugal for Lank FC Vilaverdense on May 4.”
Former Vilaverdense player Carlos Lomba hit back and replied: ‘As a former player of this club Lank Vilaverdense, I am extremely sad to see how ridiculous football is becoming!
‘This is a great lack of respect for all football players who actually have quality and fight every day for a chance!
“This is not your fault, it is the fault of those who made you do this nonsense,” he said.
Reum previously announced that he will make his debut for the Portuguese club on May 4
Former Vilaverdense player Carlos Lomba described the decision to recruit Reum as ‘nonsense’
The 45-year-old American made his debut in the 85th minute of the team’s 1-0 defeat
Back in the United States, Reum is a businessman, investor and author, where he has written books on how to achieve success, but his main focus has been on football since joining the club in January.
Lank Vilaverdense announced at the beginning of this year that Reum had joined the club on the advice of the club’s scouting department, but the striker looked at odds with what was going on when he came on against Torreense.
Reum, wearing the number 78 shirt, was brought on as a double substitute and instructed by his teammates as he failed to have much influence on proceedings.
Reum told Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds to try to do the same as him by getting on the pitch for the team
Reum even compared himself to legendary Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo
The experience of playing in a competitive league match for the club just outside Braga has angered some in football, but Reum advised other investors to do the same, as he instructed Wrexham’s Ryan Reynolds to get minutes for the newly promoted Welsh team that he is co-owner with Rob McElhenney.
“But Ryan Reynolds isn’t playing. “I think he should try to play for Wrexham otherwise we might have a match between the two teams at the end of the season,” he said.
Vilaverdense manager Sergio Machado admitted the decision to bring in Reum was ‘difficult’ but insisted he did so to protect other players in the group.
‘In the last minutes I made a decision, not as a coach, but as the father of this group. It was tough, but I had to look out for my children’s well-being. These last ten minutes help a lot so that my players don’t experience what they went through again.’