When charity matches bring together celebrities from all walks of life, you’d expect camaraderie and laughs all around.
But behind the scenes at this year’s Soccer Aid, it wasn’t all hugs and high fives.
A subtle but very telling moment between Louis Tomlinson and Sam Thompson has caught everyone’s attention—and it’s stirring up some drama that had been bubbling under the surface for months.
The Snub That Said It All
After the final whistle blew at Old Trafford, the players started exchanging hugs and handshakes, soaking in the feel-good vibes of raising over £15 million for UNICEF.
But fans caught a different vibe from Louis Tomlinson when he made a point of avoiding Sam Thompson completely.
In a fan-shot video later picked up by MailOnline, the former One Direction star was seen warmly greeting players and coaches—everyone except Sam.
Just as Sam came into view, Louis turned his head away, gave a pained-looking grimace, and swiftly moved on to chat with other teammates.
It was hard not to notice, especially given their recent romantic overlap.
Why Things Might Be Awkward
Tension between Louis and Sam had been anticipated well before the match.
Earlier this year, Louis went public with reality TV star Zara McDermott—who just happens to be Sam’s ex-girlfriend.
The two had only broken up a few months earlier after a five-year relationship.
Zara and Louis announced their relationship in March and have since been spotted vacationing in sunny destinations like Costa Rica and LA.
Meanwhile, Sam has been trying to move on and has reportedly started seeing another Love Island alum, Samie Elishi.
Avoiding Each Other On and Off the Pitch
Though both Louis and Sam remained composed throughout Soccer Aid, many believed they were doing their best to sidestep any conflict.
Sources said the pair kept their distance at training camp in Tring and even sat far apart in the Old Trafford locker room.
At a pre-match team bonding event at the hotel, both men reportedly remained civil but distant.
Even during the match itself, they managed to stay out of each other’s way.
Louis played the first half before being subbed off, while Sam only joined in during the final minutes due to injuries he picked up during a brutal charity challenge.
Sam’s 260-Mile Challenge for Charity
While Sam’s presence in the match was minimal, his contribution to Soccer Aid was anything but.
In an incredible show of commitment, Sam raised over £2 million by transporting the official match ball from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford—a whopping 260-mile trek completed on foot and by bike.
Though the journey left him with multiple injuries, Sam pushed through both the physical and emotional toll.
Speaking on his podcast Staying Relevant, co-hosted with Pete Wicks, Sam opened up about the personal significance of the challenge.
A Personal Journey Through the Pain
On the podcast, Sam got real about how tough the past year had been.
Reflecting on the journey, he admitted it was one of the most emotionally raw experiences of his life.
“I have never been so low but also so high at the same time,” he shared.
Sam described cycling and running for days, especially down the Welsh border, and reaching a point where he couldn’t even talk.
“I didn’t speak for an hour and a half. I was crying while riding. Tears were just flowing.”
He called it both a breakdown and a breakthrough—releasing months of emotional weight on the road to Manchester.
It was clear the challenge wasn’t just about raising money—it was therapy on wheels.
What’s Next for These Two?
Though neither Louis nor Sam has publicly acknowledged the snub, the tension between them seems far from resolved.
Both have taken high roads publicly, focusing on the charity cause and keeping things professional.
But that one moment at Old Trafford told a story louder than words ever could.
As fans continue to speculate about their dynamic, the bigger win here remains the massive funds raised for UNICEF.
Whether Louis and Sam ever make peace is still up in the air—but for now, it looks like they’re happy keeping their distance.