Sometimes, life throws curveballs when you’re all geared up for a big moment.
For Sam Thompson, the buzz around playing in this year’s Soccer Aid match quickly turned into a reality check when his injuries forced him to swap his football boots for a clipboard.
Injury Forces Sam Off the Pitch
Although Sam had recently been spotted looking energetic during a training session, fans were left disappointed when he confirmed on Friday’s This Morning that he won’t be joining the charity game on Sunday, June 15.
Instead, the 32-year-old reality star will serve as part of the England team’s coaching staff after a lingering calf injury from his gruelling 260-mile Soccer Aid Challenge left him unable to play.
When host Alison Hammond asked how he was recovering, Sam replied with his usual upbeat energy: “Still sore, torn calf’s still there… but I’m here at Soccer Aid HQ, and honestly, it doesn’t get better than this.”
Joining the England Coaching Team
Despite not being match-fit, Sam is staying in the thick of things.
Alongside Vicky McClure, Tyson Fury, and Harry Redknapp, he’s now part of the management crew.
“They were kind enough to still let me be a part of it,” he shared with a grin.
“So I’m officially a coach now—come on baby!”
Even Dermot O’Leary couldn’t help but tease him: “You’re literally falling apart.”
Sam laughed it off, explaining he could kick a ball from a standstill but wasn’t ready for full-on football chaos.
Celeb Banter and Team Vibes
Later in the show, Sam returned to chat pitch-side with newcomers Bella Ramsey, Paddy McGuinness, and Gorka Márquez.
Sam quizzed Bella on her first impressions, to which she responded, “Loving it!” Paddy added, “The vibe’s just magic. Everyone’s so lovely.”
Sam, embracing his coaching role, joked to Bella: “I don’t know if you’re aware, but I’m an England coach now.
Gary [the physio] ruled me out of playing, which I found outrageous, but hey—I get to be on the sidelines with Tyson Fury.”
That Awkward Louis Tomlinson Run-In
Of course, there’s been plenty of talk about Sam’s unexpected training ground reunion with Louis Tomlinson.
The two were seen trying to keep their distance after Zara McDermott—Sam’s ex—went public with her relationship with Louis earlier this year.
Even though they’re on the same team, the tension was noticeable.
They managed a quick glance and a smile, but there was zero small talk.
According to body language expert Judi James, their efforts to avoid each other only made the situation more obvious.
“They opted for a non-verbal ‘ignore’, which ironically turned into a spotlight moment,” she explained.
Body Language Breakdown
Judi added that Sam seemed determined to appear cheerful and confident, flashing smiles and throwing playful poses—almost as if to prove he’s moved on.
Louis, on the other hand, came off as more reserved and watchful, arms on hips, quietly observing rather than engaging.
At one point, Sam appeared to send a friendly message with a cheeky flex and a smile, but Louis kept his cool, remaining unreadable.
According to Judi, there was no sign of bad blood—just two guys handling an uncomfortable moment in different ways.
New Romances and Media Buzz
Zara and Louis have been inseparable since March, enjoying holidays together in LA and Costa Rica.
The couple even shared a cozy dinner the night before training—Zara whipped up salmon pasta, with Louis’s guitar casually visible in the background.
Meanwhile, Sam seems to have moved on too. His budding romance with Love Island’s Samie Elishi is heating up.
Although she was absent during Sam’s Soccer Aid challenge, sources say their connection is “going strong” and they “love spending time together.”
Samie recently opened up on the Chloe Mediumship podcast, sharing that this time around, her gut feeling is finally “all positive.”
Sam’s Challenge and Determination
Before he officially pulled out, Sam was putting in serious effort.
Despite his calf injury flaring up on day one of the 260-mile charity challenge, he kept attending training and pushing through physio in hopes of joining the game.
“Trying to get those legs right!” he captioned one of his updates, refusing to give up hope.
Still, reality caught up. By Tuesday, it was clear that playing wasn’t going to be possible.
Thankfully, Soccer Aid organizers made sure he still had a meaningful role—off the field but fully involved.
Friends, Teammates, and Lighthearted Moments
Throughout all this, Sam kept his humour intact.
During his podcast Staying Relevant, co-host Pete Wicks couldn’t resist poking fun: “You’re training like mad—is it really for Soccer Aid… or something else?”
Sam laughed it off, hyping up his excitement to work with Wayne Rooney and Tyson Fury instead.
Pete didn’t let it go: “You never know who you might bump into at close quarters—things can get brought up real quick.”
While the comment was cheeky, it clearly hinted at the Louis situation.
Big Names and Bigger Expectations
Soccer Aid 2025 is bringing a stacked lineup—Tyson Fury, Jill Scott, Tom Grennan, Paddy McGuinness, Wayne Rooney and more.
Former goalkeeper Joe Hart and Strictly’s Gorka Marquez also joined the excitement.
With Sam officially coaching and still bringing energy to the team, the celebrity-filled squad promises entertainment, on and off the pitch.
No Bad Blood, Just New Chapters
Despite all the drama, a source close to Sam insists he’s not holding any grudges over Zara and Louis.
“He’s got no hard feelings,” the insider shared.
“Sam’s focused on moving forward with exciting projects and isn’t sitting around sulking.”
Yes, it was tough to watch someone move on so fast—but Sam’s taking it all in stride.
He’s trading awkward stares for coaching strategies and turning heartbreak into motivation.
What’s next?
Sam will be right there on the sidelines, bringing the same passion he had on the pitch to his coaching role.
And with Soccer Aid airing live from Old Trafford on June 15, fans can expect inspiration, entertainment—and maybe a few more unspoken moments between exes.