Soccer Aid is a charity event that was started in 2006 and has raised over $6.5 million for UNICEF over that time. The event is held every two years and is showcased by a soccer match involving celebrities and soccer legends from around the world. The match is always set up the same way, pitting “Team England” versus “Team World”, and is played in various stadiums around England. The 2012 Soccer Aid match was held this past Sunday in Manchester, and I don’t think I’m alone in saying, “who knew”?
I have heard of the event before, but the only problem is I usually hear about it after it’s been played. I have to admit, I don’t have my ear to the ground in the soccer community, but for an event of this magnitude I shouldn’t have to. I know the event was heavily publicized in England, but what about the rest of the world? With major celebrities such as Michael Sheen, Will Ferrell, Gordon Ramsey, Gerard Butler, Edward Norton, Woody Harrelson, and Canadian icon Mike Myers taking part, it definitely flew under the radar in North America. In my opinion it was a missed opportunity not only for the fans, but for the world-wide charity UNICEF. You don’t have to be a soccer fan, or even a sports fan to enjoy some hijinks from your favourite celebrities. And if you are a sports fan, you could have enjoyed watching some world-class talent take the pitch together. Either way, I hope next time ’round we hear about the event in advance.
The 2012 Soccer Aid rosters:
England Squad
Celebrities
Jonathan Wilkes (Captain)
Robbie Williams
Paddy McGuinness
Marvin Humes
Jamie Theakston
Aston Merrygold
John Bishop
Olly Murs
Jason Isaacs
Mark Owen
Ben Shephard
Legends
David Seaman
Des Walker
Teddy Sheringham
Kevin Phillips
Martin Keown
Graeme Le Saux
World Squad
Celebrities
Michael Sheen (captain)
Will Ferrell
Gordon Ramsay
Gerard Butler
Patrick Kielty
James McAvoy
Sergio Pizzorno
Mike Myers
Joe Calzaghe
Edward Norton
Woody Harrelson
Legends
Edwin van der Sar
Jaap Stam
Clarence Seedorf
Roy Keane
Hernan Crespo
Fredrik Ljungberg
This year’s match saw the Brits win 3-1 on goals from Sheringham, Wilkes, and Phillips. Pizzorno got the lone goal for the World squad. Other highlights included a yellow card by England’s Paddy McGuinness, and two notable injuries to World players, Will Ferrell and Gordon Ramsay. Both players were forced to leave the match, with Gordon Ramsay being taken to the hospital for minor injuries.
It’s always nice to see celebrities and athletes take time out of their schedules for a good cause, and what better cause than UNICEF? They get paid boatloads of money to do what they do best, and from my point of view, giving back to the community and to those less fortunate isn’t mandatory, but it sure says a lot about their character.
…and that is the Last Word.
If anyone saw the event, we would love to hear from you in the comment section below.
