Sam Thompson and Louis Tomlinson Dodge Awkward Moment at Soccer Aid After ‘Peace Dinner’ Over Zara McDermott

Sam Thompson narrowly avoided an awkward on pitch run-in with Louis Tomlinson at Soccer Aid’s annual Charity Match at Old Trafford on Sunday – which saw rapper Big Zuu score the winning goal at Soccer Aid to hand the World XI.

The pair have been training together as part of the England team and reportedly held a ‘peace dinner’ before the match to ‘ease awkwardness’ over Louis, 33, dating Sam’s ex Zara McDermott, 28.

Sam, 32, who had been forced to pull out of playing after he suffered a string of injuries, including a calf injury, after his 260-mile challenge, made a surprise last minute appearance during the final moments of the game. 

The I’m A Celeb champ was called onto the pitch, only after Louis had left, meaning they avoided coming face-to-face in front of the huge crowd 

Soccer Aid 2025 saw £15million raised for charity as this year’s edition lived up to the extensive pre-match billings from fans and celebrities alike. 

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Sam and Louis’ dinner reportedly took place at Champneys in Tring, Herts with their other teammates in a bid to keep the peace ahead of the big game. 

A source told The Sun: ‘There is no beef between the pair and they’re both going to ensure their love lives don’t distract from such a big charity spectacle.

‘They are fully aware that their every move is being scrutinised and they’ve broken bread with their teammates, so it’ll be smooth sailing on the day.’ 

Instead of playing the game, Sam been helping from the sidelines as a coach after getting injured. 

Opening up about his injury, he spoke to This Morning hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary.

He said: ‘I’m still very sore, still got the torn calf, however I am here at Soccer Aid HQ and it does not get better than this.

‘We’ve still got the management team of England, we’ve got Vicky McClure, Tyson Fury, who’s stepping into some new shoes and Harry Redknapp…’

He continued: ‘But also because I’m not going to be able to run around, you’ve also got me, part of the management team. Come on baby!’

Late last year Sam split with former Love Island star Zara after five years together. 

It was then revealed in March how Zara had moved on with former One Direction singer Louis.

During an episode of their podcast last month, Pete Wicks, 37, teased Sam about the prospect of the potentially awkward encounter between him and Louis.

The TOWIE star asked his co-host: ‘You’re really going through it with the whole f****** body and dieting and training loads. Is that for Soccer Aid?’

But, not dropping the subject, Pete then asked: ‘Any kind of people in there who you’re looking forward to playing with?’

‘Loads,’ Sam laughed: ‘Tom Grennan. I’m really looking forward to playing alongside Wayne Rooney, Tyson Fury’s the manager. I can’t wait’.

Pete joked: ‘I mean that’s gonna be f****** amazing. Make sure you get him on side though because you may need him in your corner in case you fall out with anyone. Not that you will but just in case there’s any rivalries or anything.

‘You know, you have to train together and it’s a lot, you know when you’re kind of in close quarters with someone like that. All sorts gets brought up. Anyway…’