Liam Payne went to extreme lengths for Soccer Aid after ‘never kicking a ball’ before
Soccer Aid captain and former One Direction star Liam Payne insisted that he’s ‘never kicked a football in his life’ – but has been determined to make sure he impresses on the pitch
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Liam Payne has been appointed England captain for this year’s Soccer Aid – but he has made a shocking confession.
The former One Direction star insisted in a recent interview with Logan Paul that he’s “never kicked a football in his life”.
Liam, 28, who revealed that he’s been training for “three months” leading up to the big event, told the YouTube star: “I’ve been training at the moment in the UK.
“We play this game called Soccer Aid and it’s a bunch of professional soccer players – like Ronaldinho has played in the past – mixed with celebrities.
“So, I’m the captain of the England team currently at the moment – who’s never kicked a football in his life by the way.”
Liam Payne in action during a previous charity football match
Image:
( Getty Images)
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“I’ve had to learn for three months,” he added. “Jumping into football is like a role for me that I get to play for a certain amount of months.
“I put my a** into everything that I do… I was training twice a day, six times a week. It’s crazy – to learn how to play football.
“So, hopefully I’m half decent and earn a captaincy,” Liam added.
Making sure to optimise the most of his performance in the upcoming bout, the Strip That Down singer rented a football ground in Billericay.
The X Factor superstar rented out the non-league football ground to get in some practice.
Liam is this year’s Soccer Aid captain
Image:
( ©UNICEF/Soccer Aid Productions/Stella Pictures)
Liam consulted his friend and former Premier League player Greg Halford about the possibility of loaning Billericay Town’s New Lodge stadium.
A source told the Sun: “Liam asked Greg on the off-chance him and some pals could use the pitch and Greg got the wheels in motion.
“He didn’t look too bad considering he has been telling people he’s nervous to be captaining England in such a big game.
“Him and his mates got stuck in and he was left with a bleeding knee but no lasting damage. Liam looked in good nick.”
Liam announced that he was ‘so excited’ for Soccer Aid
Image:
( [email protected] all rights reserved)
In March, Liam announced the exciting news that he would be captain for England in the upcoming football match with Soccer Aid.
On Instagram, he wrote: “I’m incredibly excited to announced that @socceraid for @unicef_uk is back” aside a football emoji.
“And this year I’m captain for England!! We’ve got such a great team ready for you, so get your tickets now and join us at @londonstadium on the 12th June.
“Get your tickets now, in support of children worldwide, link in my bio”.
The following month, after playing ball in the rented football ground, Liam admitted that he “doesn’t play football”
At the time, he said: “I’ve been doing some training, getting ready for England. Come on England!
“How does a man that doesn’t play football, captain the England team? It’s a big query for all of us isn’t it, but we’re going to find out.
“It’s been a stressful one learning to play football actually, but it’s been a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to the game.”
He said it’s ‘stressful’ learning to play football
Image:
( Getty Images)
Kem Cetinay is also playing this year
Image:
( David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Liam will join alongside other celebs on Sunday, including the likes of former Love Island winner Kem Cetinay and Emily in Paris star Lucien Laviscount.
The annual charity football match pits a group of celebrities and former professional players and sees them face off with proceeds from the event going to charity.
Former Take That star Robbie Williams originally set up Soccer Aid in 2006 to raise funds for UNICEF.
Once a year, a celebrity-filled team representing England take on a “World XI” team of familiar faces for an epic football match.
Since its first match, the event has raised more than £60m for the charity and last year’s event, held at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, raised a record-breaking £13 million.
This year the match will take place at the London Stadium in Stratford and will be broadcast live on ITV, STV and ITV Hub,
Soccer Aid takes place on Sunday, June 12 – the event will kick-off at 7.30pm.
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