-Credit:Tim Merry/Staff Photographer

Taking part in Soccer Aid and playing with their footballing heroes is a magical moment for celebrities – but raising money for UNICEF is the real prize for stars including Sam Thompson and Louis Tomlinson. Since singer Robbie Williams dreamed up the event in 2006 over £106 million has been raised for Unicef. Old Trafford is once again the venue for the game this year and Wayne Rooney will be playing for England alongside his former Manchester United teammates Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, plus Lionesses Jill Scott, Steph Houghton and Toni Duggan.

Joining them is a cool crew of celebs including Paddy McGuinness, Sam Quek and Tom Grennan. While the World XI team includes Richard Gadd, Edwin van der Sar, Martin Compston and Tony Bellew.

Sam Thompson is emotional about Soccer Aid 2025 -Credit:PA
Sam, who dated Zara McDermott for around five years before they split in December 2024, has got a dual role in the fundraiser. As well as playing on the pitch, he’s also been running and cycling 260 miles to hand-deliver the ball to Old Trafford and raise more money in a challenge called Matchball Mission for Unicef.

“One of the most special things about Soccer Aid for Unicef is the togetherness that it brings out,” says Sam, 32. “I’ll never forget being sat at that training dinner table watching the television screens of UNICEF’s great work. People were shedding tears – everyone’s in it together. When we realised we’d helped to raise a record milestone of over £100 million since the game first began, the cheer that went up was bigger than the cheer of winning the actual game, which I think is quite telling.”

When Sam crossed the finish line on Friday and finally delivered the match ball to Old Trafford he got a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Kier Starmer, which also made him cry.

He told the Mirror it’s “mad” that the Prime Minister said he was “inspiring”. “I can’t believe the prime minister knows my name,” Sam said. “I’m on double codeine and paracetamol… I am not going to lie, it hurts a lot,” Sam admitted as he walked to a nearby hotel.

The 32 year old, who has already raised over £1.5 million from the challenge, confessed: “I am totally broken – but so happy . The fact this challenge has grabbed everyone’s attention is just so incredible and I have just been blown away!”

And yesterday he was crying again on This Morning yesterday as he recalled the feat, telling Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley: “I’ve gotto stop crying! You’re making me so emotional, so many tears man.”

Sam Thompson and Louis Thomlinson have more than just Zara McDermott in common – they will both play for England at Soccer Aid 2025 -Credit:UNICEF/Soccer Aid Productions/Stella Pictures/REX/Shutterstock
Soccer Aid host Dermot O’Leary is also returning and says half-time is his favourite part of the match because he gets to play pundit. “You have these special moments, it’s a laugh and you’re watching a game of football and you’re seeing goals,” says the 52-year-old.

Former One Direction star Louis, who has started romancing Zara himself, lists playing with Ronaldinho as one of his greatest Soccer Aid memories, but for Jill, it’s buddying up with Football Factory star Danny Dyer that makes her day.

“He’s my type of player,” grins Jill, 38. “Strong tackles, probably swears a little bit too much, but I love that passion and football aggression!”