Sam Thompson Reflects on ‘Freeing’ Moment After Tough Year in Soccer Aid Challenge Post-Split

Sam Thompson has detailed the ‘mentally freeing’ impact of his gruelling Soccer Aid challenge, after battling through injury to raise £2 million for Unicef.

The Made In Chelsea star, 32, completed a 260-mile journey from London to Manchester earlier this month, despite suffering a calf injury on the first day.

And speaking on his Staying Relevant podcast with pal Pete Wicks, Sam shared how the challenge finally allowed him to ‘let go’ of his struggles after a ‘tough year.’

The I’m A Celebrity champion split from girlfriend Zara McDermott in December after five years together, and he’s since been linked with Love Island star Samie Elishi.

Sam detailed how he broke down in tears during the challenge’s fourth day as he cycled to Liverpool, struggling with the tough conditions and the pain of his injury.

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He said: ‘There was a time on Thursday, and I haven’t really said it to be honest with you, but I left a lot on that road, and it was one of the most mentally freeing times I’ve ever had in my entire life.

‘Where we rode and ran, for the longest duration, and I finished in Liverpool.

‘And you know I’m a bit of a talker, me and Tracy were on the bike, and it was so f*****g hard, the hills were so bad, my calf was killing, and you just had to channel something. 

‘I’m not going to say what it was, but I just left a lot of the year, that I’ve had, on that road, and I didn’t speak to her for an hour and a half.

‘And she said to me about 20 minutes into me not speaking, she goes ”whatever it is you’re channelling right now, I need you to keep doing that.” 

‘And I just started riding the bike whilst crying for an hour and a half, just tears streaming down my face, just riding like I’ve never ridden before, and I got to Liverpool, fell off my bike, burst into tears and sat on a bench and I’ve never felt so emotionally depleted, but also so at peace.’

Sam’s challenge was also featured in an ITV documentary, and viewers saw the heartwarming moment he was carried to a speedboat by Tony Bellew to cross Liverpool’s famous Mersey. 

Sam battled through his agonising injury to complete his epic journey, and despite fears he’d be unable to play in the Soccer Aid match itself, he came on a substistute to play several minutes late into the game on Sunday. 

He also narrowly avoided an on-pitch run-in with singer Louis Tomlinson, who is now dating his ex Zara.

The pair had 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.

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 during the match, which saw rapper Big Zuu score the winning goal to hand the World XI the win.

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. 

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…’