Latest news with #WorldXI
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iconic Carlos Tevez billboard recreated next to Manchester United's Old Trafford
The iconic Carlos Tevez billboard has been recreated as it was announced the star would be returning to Old Trafford. Striker Tevez famously sparked fury when he left Manchester United to join Manchester City in the summer of 2009, after a two-year loan spell expired. The Blues then rubbed their neighbours noses in it by paying for a huge sky blue advert on a billboard near Deansgate with an image of Tevez and the words 'Welcome to Manchester.' READ MORE: LIVE updates as air ambulance lands in Stockport READ MORE: Oldham murder investigation LIVE updates after man found dead Blues supporters lapped it up, whilst then-United boss Sir Alex Ferguson described it as 'arrogant' and an example of a 'small club mentality.' Now 16 years on, the often-recreated billboard has mimicked once more, and this time just a stone's throw from Old Trafford. It was today revealed Tevez would again grace the Old Trafford turf at this year's Soccer Aid. The now 41-year-old, who last played for his boyhood club Boca Juniors and who retired in 2022, will feature for the Word XI team. The new advert, displayed on the digital advertising screen over the White City roundabout, less than half a mile from Old Trafford, says 'Welcome back to Manchester' alongside an image of Tevez and the date Sunday June 15, when the charity game is behind held. Created by Robbie Williams in 2006 and held annually at OId Trafford, the charity game, broadcast live on ITV, brings together celebs and footballing legends and has raised millions for UNICEF. This year, former Heavyweight World Champion Tyson Fury will be managing England, with United legends Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes also returning to Old Trafford. One Direction star Louis Tomlinson and businessman and podcaster Steven Bartlett join a stacked squad full of new faces including Joe Hart and social media star Angry Ginge. Ex-Reds keeper Peter Schmeichel is on the World XI coaching staff, while Edwin van der Sar will also return to Old Trafford as one of the visiting goalkeepers. Former Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci and AC Milan star Nadia Nadim are set to make their Soccer Aid bows. Among the celebs pulling on the World XI kit are Tobi Brown, Martin Compston, Richard Gadd, Gorka Marquez, Brian Habana and Tony Bellew. The same billboard near Old Trafford was used a fortnight ago by Liverpool fans to troll United supporters following their title win. An advert placed by Liverpool fan channel The Anfield Wrap said: "Manchester, Just 37 miles to the country's most successful football club." It came after they secured the Premier League title and drew level with United's tally of 20 top-flight championships.
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sven-Göran Eriksson's brutal advice which sparked major change for Lee Mack
Lee Mack has revealed the rather brutal advice he received from the late Sven-Göran Eriksson about playing football which flicked a switch in the comedian and actor's brain Sven-Göran Eriksson was arguably one of footballs best managers and his words of wisdom hit home for Lee Mack. The comedian and actor worked with the late manager on a documentary several years before Sven tragically died aged 76 last year. Over the course of his career, the former right-back went on to become the coach of the England national team, Leicester City and S.L. Benfica, picking up invaluable experience which he put to use when he worked with Soccer Aid as the England manager in 2021. Prior to filming the documentary, Lee had played for the England team and took three penalties – missing out on each opportunity. But it was a few words of advice from Sven which saw Lee's outlook on the match completely change. "We did a documentary of me as the old player building up to being in Soccer Aid for the fourth time," Lee told the Mirror. The 56-year-old Not Going Out Star went on to add: "It was an hour special on ITV, we got the late great Sven involved and he basically told me what I needed to do and then I went and did it. 'Go and practice your penalties, go and get fit, start acting like a footballer. "At the end of it, he sacked me and said 'You can't play for England, go and play for World XI' – I think it was very clear that the whole thing was just one big sketch and the reality is, I just decided it's only fair that I share out the badness. I'd been bad for England for quite a few years – you share the love, so you've got to share the badness as well." Lee joked that after years of playing for England, he made the decision to join World XI thanks to his Irish heritage. He said: "So I thought I'll even up the sides by playing for the other side. It worked out for the best because I scored. I do think European footballers do have a slightly better understanding – you're only as good as the weakest player, they're a bit more encouraging than some of the vocal England players." But while it's "great fun" the comic admits that European footballers are very different to English players. He explained: "Look at Arsene Wenger, he was the first manager not to scream at the players. He came in and sort of talked gently and more analytically to players and it worked out for the best. We're still that mentality of 'roll your sleeves up and scream.'" This year, the Southport-born star is returning to Soccer Aid for the eighth time, alongside players including Gorka Márquez, Martin Compston, and YouTube star TBJZL. They'll be joined by footballing legends, Edwin van der Sar, Nemanja Vidić and Leonardo Bonucci as they battle against Tom Grennan, Louis Tomlinson, Joe Hart, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney. Speaking about the event, Lee said: "Every year, without this, I wouldn't do any exercise. Every year I go 'Right, I've got to get fit,' so a few years ago, I bought a treadmill and every year it gets later and later. Last year, I think I went on it the night before." But although it's his eighth call up, each year he's left thinking that he won't play again. He explained: "I assume every year they're not going to ask me back so it's very exciting when I get the call. I am at that age where I do think after each one, even if they ask me I better say no because it takes months and months to feel better again. "But when the call comes and says 'Do you want to do it?' I always go 'Yeah, definitely.'" But he teased that each year he's the "oldest outfield player" so he has to deal with physical ailments each year. Lee joked that his job is essentially a "goal hanger". But he soon realised when he first started playing Soccer Aid that he can't stay in one spot on the pitch, "it's exhausting," he joked. He added: "You've got to get a bit fit, the training is three days and each day is a couple of hours – at my age you don't play football three days on the run, then you play the match so it's four days on the run. I'm used to playing once a week with local dads." Since Soccer Aid launched 20 years ago, over £106 million has been raised for UNCIEF, with records continuing to be broken each year. "It doesn't seem to slow down in any way," Lee said, adding that while Soccer Aid was previously held once every two years he imagined it would be harder to draw in crowds and cash each year. "People love it, the stadium always sells out," he said, adding: "The money raised seems to keep going up, I'm very proud to be a part of it – the money raised is incredible." He adds that the cash raised is "an abstract concept" as it's hard to imagine seeing £100 million looks like. "When you see it in action, when they tell you what £100 or £20 buys, it's great."
The Independent
20-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
When is Soccer Aid 2025? Date, time and players for England and World XI
Soccer Aid is back for 2025 with the charity football match returning to Old Trafford as England battle the World XI. The Three Lions secured redemption last year with victory for the first time since 2018 thanks to a 6–3 win at Stamford Bridge. The match, put on to raise money for UNICEF, generated more than £15m in donations last year with the likes of Eden Hazard and Alessandro del Piero featuring in an entertaining nine-goal contest. It was a tough night for Olympics legend Usain Bolt though, with the Jamaican rupturing his Achilles tendon to leave him in agony as a stretcher carried him off the pitch. This year, former heavyweight world champion boxer Tyson Fury, currently retired since his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, will now take charge of England as manager, having teased a return to the ring at the stadium of his beloved Red Devils. The Theatre of Dreams will welcome some Manchester United legends, too, including Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes. Here's everything you need to know about this year's charity match: When and where is Soccer Aid 2025? Soccer Aid 2025 will be played on Sunday 15 June at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, with kick-off set for 7:30pm BST. How can I watch Soccer Aid 2025 on TV and is there a live stream? You can watch Soccer Aid 2025 live on ITV1 and ITVX will have you covered for a live stream on mobile devices. Who is playing? The full squads are yet to be confirmed, but a number of current and former players, as well as celebrities have been announced. England Manager and coaches Tyson Fury Wayne Rooney David James Harry Redknapp Vicky McClure Robbie Williams Players Sir Mo Farah Wayne Rooney Louis Tomlinson Gary Neville Paul Scholes Steven Bartlett Joe Hart Angry Ginge Toni Duggan Steph Houghton Jill Scott Alex Brooker Jermain Defoe Tom Grennan Sam Quek Sam Thompson Paddy McGuinnes World XI Kaylyn Kyle Livi 'Diamond' Sheldon Leonardo Bonucci Lee Mack Nadia Nadim Gorka Marquez
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Rooney and Fury to manage England at Soccer Aid
Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will join Wayne Rooney as two of England's co-managers for Soccer Aid England striker Rooney will also come out of retirement to play in the annual charity match against a World XI on Sunday, 15 year's fundraiser for Unicef returns to Old Trafford, home of Rooney's former team Manchester year's game took place at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge and raised more than £15m for charity."The prospect of leading my England team to victory this June fills me with just as much excitement as any heavyweight fight," said Fury."Everyone knows that I am a huge Manchester United fan too, so it's even more special for me that the game is at Old Trafford this year, and I get to manage one of my heroes, Wayne Rooney."Rooney, 39, managed at the 2020 Soccer Aid and played in the following year's game. He said: "I'm a big boxing fan, so to do it alongside Tyson Fury is fantastic. We have this in common - we'll both be taking it incredibly seriously."It's great to lace up the old boots again - and see some old friends."Rooney will play alongside former team-mates Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, while Joe Hart, Steph Houghton and Toni Duggan will all make their Soccer Aid Louis Tomlinson will also return along with the likes of Sam Quek, Paddy McGuinness, Tom Grennan and Sir Mo Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci and Denmark forward Nadia Nadim will make their Soccer Aid debuts as part of the World XI, with the rest of the squad to be the first match in 2006, Soccer Aid has raised more than £106m for charity.
