"Legends on the pitch!": Fans excited as Louis Tomlinson set to play in UNICEF's Soccer Aid charity game

Louis Tomlinson is set to play in UNICEF’s Soccer Aid charity match after nine years!

He will be joining the England Squad to raise funds for UNICEF's initiatives supporting children on June 15, 2025, at Old Trafford, Manchester. The last time the One Direction singer appeared at the Manchester event was in June 2016, according to a report by BBC.

Sharing his excitement about the event with Manchester Evening News, the 33-year-old football fan said:

“Manchester! It's about ten years since I last turned out for Soccer Aid, so I thought it was about time I returned to the pitch. As everyone knows, I am a massive football fan so playing with some legends of the game is a dream come true.”

According to a BBC report, the 2024 Soccer Aid match raised more than £15 million. Tomlinson’s return to Manchester for UNICEF’s Soccer Aid 2025 has sparked a wave of reactions online. One of the fans wrote on X,

“Legends on the pitch! Can't wait to see the goals.”

Let’s take a look at what other fans are saying

Read more: Fans react as Louis Tomlinson shares a cryptic post on X with number "28"

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Netizens react to Louis Tomlinson’s return to Manchester grounds for UNICEF

The 2025 Soccer Aid charity match will mark Louis Tomlinson’s return to the event after nearly a decade. The last time he appeared on the pitch with his former bandmate Niall Horan, they created an iconic moment. His return has evoked a sense of nostalgia among the fans.

“That’s awesome! Didn’t realize he played soccer!” A user reacted on X

“HE'S BACK” Another fan wrote

“He’s really a legend” One user said.

“my shailaaaaa” A user said.

However, a few users were skeptical about the 33-year-old singer’s football skills and uncertain about his performance on the field.

“Let’s see if he can kick it as well as he hits those high notes!” One user said.

“If he knows how to play, he will have to prove it” Another added.

“Trust me, we don’t care” One more person commented.

Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former Man United player Wayne Rooney will be acting as co-managers for Soccer Aid 2025.

"The prospect of leading my England team to victory this June fills me with just as much excitement as any heavyweight fight," Fury said.

"I'm a big boxing fan, so to do it alongside Tyson Fury is fantastic. We have this in common - we'll both be taking it incredibly seriously. It's great to lace up the old boots again - and see some old friends. Rooney added.

According to a report in Lancashire Telegraph, the team will feature a mix of celebrities and former football greats such as Bolton's Paddy McGuinness, Paul Scholes, and Harry Redknapp. The new names for the 2025 match include former England captain Steph Houghton and goalkeeper Joe Hart.

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What is Soccer Aid?

According to Soccer Aid’s official website, Soccer Aid for UNICEF was created by Robbie Williams in 2006. It is an annual charity football event that combines entertainment and philanthropy to raise funds for UNICEF’s global efforts to support children so that they can grow up healthy and live better lives in the future.

The event features a football match between England and the Soccer Aid World XI FC. People can donate by watching the live show or by purchasing tickets to support one of the world’s biggest charity events.