Sam Thompson has reluctantly accepted that he’s unlikely to be match fit for next week’s Soccer Aid after suffering a painful injury during his emotional charity mission.
The TV, radio, and podcast star, 32, won the nation’s hearts when he took home the crown on I’m A Celebrity in 2023 — and he did it all over again this week by delivering the official Soccer Aid match ball from London’s Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford in Manchester by foot and bike, covering 260 miles across five punishing days.
The challenge began on Monday and ended on Friday, with Thompson braving torrential rain, physical exhaustion, and a torn calf muscle along the way.
Donations are still open, with the final total set to be revealed during the Soccer Aid for Unicef match next Saturday on June 15.
While he had initially hoped to see some pitch action, Thompson may instead have to show his support from the sidelines.
"I don’t think I’m going to be able to play," he told the Standard, who have followed his journey from the very beginning. "My calf is pretty torn. But I’ll definitely be there one way or another — they can’t get rid of me."
He said he has no regrets though, adding: "I’m so over the moon, so happy, and so grateful to have completed this mission. It’s gone way bigger than I ever imagined. Everyone who turned up, anyone who donated — everybody feels like family."
His emotional journey has been captured for a special documentary, Sam Thompson’s Match Ball Mission, airing on Thursday 13 June at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
One particularly powerful moment came on day three, when an exhausted Thompson, overwhelmed with self-doubt, broke down in tears. “I’m not the guy, man,” he said during a heart-to-heart with best friend and Staying Relevant co-host Pete Wicks. Wicks didn’t hesitate: “You are the guy. You were the guy before you started. You’re the guy now, and you’re gonna be the guy when you finish. You’ve got this.”
Even after completing the challenge, Thompson admitted, “I still don’t know whether I’m the guy.” But his fans were quick to reassure him.
“You ARE the guy,” one supporter wrote online. “You are amazing and honestly the whole of the UK is behind you and so proud of you!”
Another added: “Sam’s willingness to wear his heart and vulnerability on his sleeve is exactly the type of role model young people need to see more of.”
While a third simply said: “Never have I been so very proud of a man I don’t even know.”
If you’re unable to make it to the match next weekend, Soccer Aid for Unicef will be broadcast live on ITV1, with streaming on ITVX and STV.
It will see celebrities and footballing legends battle it out on the pitch as England take on the Soccer Aid World XI FC in the world’s biggest charity football match.
Thompson - who also featured in last year’s line-up - has been drafted as part of the England team, which also includes Wayne Rooney, Louis Tomlinson, Jill Scott, Sir Mo Farah and Paddy McGuinness.
Despite the setback, Thompson’s spirit remains unbroken — a true inspiration both on and off the pitch.
Donate to Sam Thompson’s Match Ball Mission at: www.socceraid.org.uk/challenge
