EXCLUSIVE Emotional Sam Thompson reveals consequences of agonising 260-mile Soccer Aid challenge as he admits he 'didn't think he'd make it' to the finish after horrific calf injury

Daily Mail​

a day ago

Sam Thompson has emotionally revealed he 'didn't think he'd make it' to the end of his gruelling 260-mile Soccer Aid challenge after reaching the finish line of his five-day journey on Friday.
The Made In Chelsea star, 32, suffered a calf injury on the first day of his gruelling feat, which has raised £1.5 million for Unicef, but battled through the pain to reach the end in Manchester.
Speaking to MailOnline mere minutes after finishing his challenge, Sam has revealed that 'cried into the physio's arms' when he was warned he may not be able to complete the challenge.
The star had been tasked with transporting the matchball on a 260-mile journey from London to Manchester, and was set to run the equivalent of a marathon each day.
And while Sam was visibly elated as he reached the finish line, he went onto reveal that choosing to continue with his injury would likely mean he is unable to play in the Soccer Aid match itself, which will take place on June 15.
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Reflecting on the moment he 'popped his calf' just 2km from the end of the first day, Sam said: 'That first day was one of the hardest because I had mentally sort of got myself to the place where I was like, ''this is it, now you're getting ready to get cracking with this.''
'And just 2km away from the finish line of the first marathon on day one, my calf popped, and when that happened, I remember crying.
'I was crying into the physio, whose a lovely guy, into his arms pretty much being like: ''I'm not going to be able to do this,'' and he went ''I don't know what to tell you, this isn't go away, you're not going to be able to put any weight on it, it's a three-and-a-half, four week recovery period, so I don't know what to tell you, and I just burst into tears. That was a really bad day.'
Describing the moment he crossed the finish line as 'a blur,' Sam also paid tribute to his close friends and loved ones who had supported him throughout the challenge.
Along the way, the star was surprised by pals including Pete Wicks, Chris Hughes, Josh JP Patterson and Joel Dommett, as well as his brother-in-law Ryan Libbey who joined him for parts of the journey.
Sam also received a sea of video messages from big names cheering him on, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
He said: 'This sounds so corny but I'm gonna say it anyway, I hope that what people can take away from this if they take anything away other than Unicef, being the most important thing by a mile, but if they can take anything away from it, it's the power of friendship, and I know that sounds a little bit intense, but it is.
'I am incredibly lucky to have the circle of friends and family I have around me.
'I'm actually quite a weak person, probably all tears, but I am I'm a really weak person, and it's the people around me that that that make me a stronger person.
'It was so magical, because I actually haven't really been on my phone at all, so you hear about it and you only really see how people are like behind it with donations.
'And when they started flying up, it makes you so emotional and it's just such an amazing feeling to see the level of the level of love that is out there and for such an amazing cause.
'Realistically I'm just a vehicle, anyone who does any of these challenges are just a vehicle for something that is so, so great and far greater.
'I'm sure there will be another one, Unicef will do another one, and it's always about the charity, and I think that's what's so beautiful about this and the people came together because they saw what UNICEF were doing, and we just really shone a light on it.'
Sam then shared that as a consequence of his injury, it's unlikely he'll be able to join the England squad on the pitch for the Soccer Aid match next Sunday, but still plans to join the players, and manager Tyson Fury, for training.
He said: 'I don't think I'm gonna be able to play, but I'm still going to be a part of it, so I'm going to training, and I am just gonna be buzzing around annoying people like I do when I go there!
'I've asked if we could do a little campaign, to make me the assistant manager, so I can stand on the touch line next to Tyson Fury, I will die!'
On Friday, Sam broke down in tears as he finally completed his gruelling Soccer Aid challenge, raising £1.5 million for Unicef.
As Sam took the final steps, having been supported by many stars and celebrity pals along the way, he was embraced by his emotional sister Louise, her fiancé Ryan Libbey and their son Leo.
The star then struggled to hide his shock as it was revealed he had raised £1,516,433 for Unicef during the five-day journey.
Speaking after completing the challenge, Sam said: 'My legs have completely gone but I feel good. I'm so grateful for everyone being here, I didn't think anyone would turn up.
'To everyone who has donated, I've said it before but I'll say it a million times, you are so heroic. The money will help so many children, I'm so grateful.'
Mere minutes after the challenge was finished, Sam's pal Pete Wicks shared a gushing tribute to him on Instagram Stories.
Posting a snap of the moment he surprised him on Wednesday, he captioned the post: 'He f*****g did it! I couldn't be prouder, you have always been ''THE GUY''.
Having started back at London's Stamford Bridge on Monday, Sam travelled to Stadium MK in Milton Keynes on the first day, where he suffered the nasty injury.
On medics' advice, he then cycled on the second day to Villa Park in Birmingham, before setting off on Wednesday to reach Vale Park in Stoke-On-Trent.
Setting off from there on Thursday, Sam then travelled to Liverpool's iconic Goodison Park, before heading to Old Trafford on the final day.
As Sam kicked off the final day of his challenge, he was thrilled to hear a message of support from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
He's captured the attention of the nation during the grueling journey, after suffering a calf injury which has left him battling through agonising pain in order to complete his mission.
Host Fleur East told Sam: 'We've got a very special message for you from the Prime Minister.'
To which the elated star responded: 'Shut up! No you don't! The Prime Minister!'
Sir Keir's message read: 'My message to him is he's doing a fantastic job.
'I've seen footage of him running including with that injury and I have to say its pretty inspiring and he's doing an absolutely incredible job - all tribute to him.
'We all applaud what he's doing, it's really hard work particularly with an injury and Soccer Aid is always good so I'll do everything to support him I can.'
Sam was left in utter disbelief after hearing the message, describing it was 'one of the most mental things' he's ever seen.
'He knows my name! I can't imagine Sir Keir looking at my 'gram,' he added.
That wasn't the last of the surprises however, with Sam also treated to words of support from a host of other stars including Diversity, Olympic athlete Greg Rutherford and even actor Olivia Colman.
'Sam, I've been watching your incredible challenge,' Peep Show star Olivia said.
'Wow! It looks so so tough and you are doing amazingly. Everyone at Unicef is behind you and I encourage everyone watching to support you and donate. Lots of love, you're amazing!'
The final leg of Sam's brutal challenge saw him travel from Goodison Park in Liverpool to his final destination, Old Trafford in Manchester.
With his leg in 'absolute pieces', the reality TV star completed the fourth leg of the mission on Thursday, travelling from Stoke-On-Trent to Merseyside.
Speaking to MailOnline before he began, the Made In Chelsea star said: 'Today is a tough day. It's wet, it's cold, it's windy. My leg is in absolute pieces, but we go again.
'We passed the half-way point yesterday and it was such a great day. I've got to try and channel that mindset and spirit.
'Today is going to be one step in front of the other. Also, the fact that we have raised over £600,000 is keeping me going – that will warm anyone's soul!
'The love and outpouring from people has been so immense and I'm so glad people are donating to UNICEF's work for kids around the world. I've seen it firsthand and know the difference it'll make.'
As he prepared to set off, Sam received yet another surprise from one of his close pals Josh 'JP' Patterson, who ran with him for the first part of Thursday.
Josh said: 'I want to support my friend through possibly one of the most vulnerable experiences of his life, but he's doing it for the most wonderful cause. I want to help raise as much money as we can, so when he steps across the finish line, he knows he's given it every single ounce of himself.
'He's been phenomenal. For someone who doubts himself so much, I hope one of the things he takes from this challenge is ''he is the guy''!'
After completing the race, the news was broken to the determined personality that he had already smashed the £1million mark.
He responded: 'Yes!!! One milly baby!!! Come on!!! I'm so happy, thank you so much. I'm so grateful to literally everybody.
'I've said this before, I'll say it again. They are all the heroes, the people who are putting their hands in their pockets.'
After completing the gruelling third day of his challenge, Sam was surprised with a motivational message from close pal Jamie Laing.
After suffering in his own gruelling charity marathon, Jamie, 36, knew exactly how Sam was feeling as he reached the halfway mark.
Pete Wicks hilariously parodied Sam's ex Zara McDermott's famous 'you can!' moment from Made In Chelsea as he supported him on his challenge on Wednesday
The BBC Radio 1 presenter had the whole nation behind him as he ran 30 miles for five consecutive days across the country in March, raising an incredible £2.3m.
'It's day three baby, it's the worst. It's the worst', Jamie laughed.
Sam screamed: 'I can't move man! My Leg!'
Jamie said: 'Listen, I've been there. I know how hard it is and your body is screaming for you to give up. Every single moment, you just keep going. One foot in front of the other, you don't stop.'
Sam teared up: 'Seeing your face just then has literally just made my day. I remember watching you doing your runs and being like your an inspiration man.
'The fact that you're just giving me your energy and your time man, I'm so grateful.'
Jamie said: 'You're doing the best thing ever, you're doing it for the best cause. Let's keep going, I adore you, I love you, everyone's behind you, you're the greatest.'
'You got this Sam!', Jamie's wife Sophie Habboo cheered in the background.
Day three saw him set off from Villa Park, Birmingham and pass through Walsall, Cannock, Stafford and Stone on his way to Vale Park in Stoke-on-Trent.
Pete Wicks hilariously parodied Sam's ex Zara McDermott's famous 'you can!' moment from Made In Chelsea as he supported him on his challenge on Wednesday.
The 'you can!' refers to a now iconic Made In Chelsea scene where Zara begs for Sam back after cheating on him during her time on Celebrity X Factor in 2019.
Zara and Sam then split for good earlier this year - with the former Love Island now moving on with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson.
In a video shared on Pete and Sam's Staying Relevant podcast TikTok page Pete is seen screaming 'you can!' at Sam - sending him into fits of giggles on his bike.
The sign read: 'You can do it... YOU CAAAN!' as Pete shouted it in the same tone that Zara had as she insisted that Sam could forgive her for her infidelities all those years ago.
Earlier in the day Sam broke down in tears as pal Pete surprised him to mark half way of his 'intensely painful' challenge.
Sam, who sustained a 'significant' injured his calf earlier in the week, threw his arms around his friend, 37, before telling MailOnline the reunion 'made his day'.
As Pete strolled up, Sam became overwhelmed to see the friendly face amid day three of him cycling and running another whopping 49 miles.
Before setting off on Monday, Pete shared a gushing tribute to his pal on Instagram writing: 'Tomorrow this man embarks on a mental and physical challenge for an amazing cause'
The TV star was given the task to travel a mammoth 260-mile journey on both bike and foot to deliver the match ball to its new home in Old Trafford, with the hope of raising much-needed funds for Unicef.
He told MailOnline: 'Seeing Pete half way made my day. The pain is so intense but this has put a smile on my face'.
Before adding: 'Please donate if you can, I'm so grateful for all the support'.
On Tuesday, Sam was joined by his pal Chris Hughes for the second day of his endurance challenge.
And Chris' new girlfriend JoJo Siwa made sure to send her support to the star as she sent him a motivational message.
Appearing on Hits Radio, the singer, 22, told Sam: 'No matter what burn yourself out, burn those little legs out, keep it pushing!'
'You're gonna be proud if you do it. In five days from now you are either going to be really proud or you're gonna be like 'Damn I probably could have done it if I had tried a little harder. So don't have that regret.'
During an appearance on Tuesday's This Morning, Chris joined Sam for part of the cycle, hours after suffering a nasty calf injury.
As Sam looked visibly downcast, Chris told viewers: 'He's emotional, he's upset and it's tough because he's got to go again and it's relentless.
'I was saying when we were going around I've so much admiration for you Sam because I'm struggling with this... knowing that I'm going to stop in a minute and Sam has to carry on this amazing journey, raising so much money, it's warrior like...
'Please donate because Sam is going through the wringer here, I've seen the tears, I've seen the grit and the determination - keep supporting the boy!'
Before setting off on Monday, Pete shared a gushing tribute to his pal on Instagram writing: 'Tomorrow this man embarks on a mental and physical challenge for an amazing cause @Unicef.'
'Mate I couldn't be prouder of you as a friend, a brother and as a man. You are gonna push yourself to the limit and I can't wait to watch you complete this f**king mammoth task. I know how much work you've put in and I know you're doing it for the right reasons'.
He continued: 'Just so you know, you're doing it with every single one of your friends and family right behind you. I hope the nation follows your journey and helps you along the way in donations and support. You are an inspiration to me and many others and I admire the man you've become this year more than any other year I've known you. Good luck brother, you've got this'
Still battling forwards with an injured calf and given the green light by the medical team, the reality star was determined to complete the challenge.
He said: 'This is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I now have to accept that I've done damage to my calf and running is very difficult'.
'But I can and will carry on, not matter what, on two feet and two pedals, I'm still going to get there and get across the finish line on Friday. It's just going to be longer, harder but my reason for doing it still hasn't changed. I really hope people are digging deep for UNICEF, seeing what I'm trying to do and are getting behind this challenge.'
Speaking about Sam's injury, on the road physio, Gary Lewin said: 'Sam has got a significant injury to his calf. We tried to take the weight off of it yesterday by giving him a bike day and in the afternoon he said it felt better, so we tried a bit of walking'.
'He can't put much weight on it. My advice today is we're going to start out with a walk today and then cycle and see how we get on. He's in safe hands and medical advice is he can continue'.