Soccer Aid for UNICEF is back this Sunday as a host of celebrities take the pitch to raise money for charity.
And as captain for the England team, Liam Payne got to work on his skills on Friday, training at Champneys Tring resort – around an hour out of London.
Ahead of the match, the 28-year-old took a moment to chat about his four-year-old son Bear, who he shares with ex-girlfriend Cheryl, 38, describing him as ‘a lot of fun’.
Training: Liam Payne, 28, worked up a sweat while he trained for Soccer Aid on Friday, as he prepares to captain the England team at the UNICEF event on Sunday
Chatting with The Sun’s Simon Boyle, Liam explained that Bear is following in his footsteps as the pair both share a love of Marvel.
‘My boy Bear can’t stop pretending he’s Spider-Man. If he’s in character you cannot call him by his own name,’ he explained.
Revealing he even tried to skip out on school with the obsession, Liam continued: ‘He even tried to get out of school the other day as he was pretending to be a sea monster and told his mum, “Sea monsters do not go to school”. He’s a lot of fun.’
Setting his sights back on Soccer Aid, Liam also shared that he was curating the perfect playlist for the England team.
Dad-of-one: Ahead of the match, the star took a moment to chat about his four-year-old son Bear, describing him as ‘a lot of fun’
‘I’ve got Jamie Jones’ My Paradise on repeat at the minute, so that will be in there, unless the gaffer Harry Redknapp says otherwise.’
While teammate Tom Grennan said it should include his own album, and even a few of One Direction’s hits from Liam’s boyband days.
Liam was joined by his famous teammates such as Tom, Chunkz, Alex Brooker, Damian Lewis and Mark Wright for the day of practice on Friday ahead of Sunday’s match.
Co-parents:Liam shares Bear with ex-girlfriend Cheryl, 38, and explained how he currently has a Marvel obsession, similarly to his dad Liam
Concentrated: He appeared in the zone as he performed some keepie uppie’s with the ball during Friday’s training
Sporting a red and black UNICEF strip, Liam added a pair of white Puma football socks with orange and black ombre boots.
He appeared in the zone as he performed some keepie uppie’s with the ball, before putting on a neon green vest as the team split into two to practice against one another.
And the singer was holding no prisoners, as he slid out of Stuart Downing’s way while attempting to make a goal.
Teamwork: Liam put on a neon green vest as the team split into two to practice against one another
He shoots: Liam attempted to make a goal, sliding away from Stewart Downing who was hoping to tackle the singer
Making sure they were properly prepped, Liam also took time to stretch on the grass alongside Russell Howard, Damian Lewis and Tom Grennan.
Liam previously spoke about his excitement for the event, sharing: ‘It doesn’t get much better than captaining England in Soccer Aid while fundraising for UNICEF.’
‘I can’t believe I get to run out onto the pitch with some of my heroes all while raising money for such a great cause. To be given the captain’s armband is a real honour and I’m determined to lead us to victory,’ he assured.
Go for it: And he was seemingly on form, as he attempted to outrun Chunkz before the ball hit offside
Stretch it out: But the practice wasn’t without the appropriate stretching, as Liam and his team made sure they were properly prepared (L-R Tom Grennan, Liam Payne, Russell Howard and Damian Lewis)
Alex Brooker also appeared in high spirits for the day, as the journalist jumped with glee whilst on the pitch – throwing up a fist bump.
While Chunkz seemed to work up a sweat, splashing water on his face as he stopped for a second, while Mark Wright showed his football history as he took it in his stride.
The team’s new manager, Harry Redknapp, also got in on the action as he laughed and pointed towards the pitch with Jamie Carragher.
Multi-tasker: Chunkz made quite the kick as he headed for the ball, clutching his phone in one hand while he took to the pitch
Serious stuff: While Jamie Carragher (left) and Mark Wright (right) were ready for battle, keeping stern faces as they ran across the pitch
Come on! Alex Brooker also appeared in high spirits for the day, as the journalist jumped with glee whilst on the pitch – throwing up a fist bump
England are without a win since 2018 Soccer Aid, with Harry jumping ship to England after he has won his last three games with World XI.
And the England team weren’t the only one getting the practice in, as Harry’s previous team, World XI, also made sure they were prepped for Sunday’s match.
Captain Usain Bolt got his laps in as he ran across the pitch on Sunday, donning the dark black and grey World XI UNICEF football strip.
Having fun: The team’s new manager, Harry Redknapp, also got in on the action as he laughed and pointed towards the pitch with Jamie
Heating up: The heat seemed to be hitting hard for Chunkz, who splashed water onto his face
Just a second! Damian, Mark Noble and Joe Cole took a minute off as the trio found time for a chit-chat
Opponents: And it wasn’t just the England team practicing, as World XI captian Usain Bolt also prepared his team for battle
The appearance from Usain on Sunday in the capital comes ten years after his gold-medal performances in the 2012 Olympics.
He was joined by players such as Idris Elba, Robbie Keane, Lee Mack and Mo Gilligan as they put on a fierce display.
The glitzy event – which is set to be held on Sunday 12 June at the London Stadium – aims to raise money for the charity UNICEF, who help the world’s most disadvantaged children.
Fighting spirit: Lee Mack appeared confident with World XI’s performance too, jumping into the air with joy
Time out: While Robbie Keane took a moment out on the sidelines, sitting on the grass by the pitch
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