The FAST and the FURIOUS
Music star Robbie Williams and Olympic hero Usain Bolt are going head to head for the ultimate charity football match. MARION McMULLEN checks out the fighting talk
Are you feeling confident?
Robbie: I’m buzzing – can’t wait to get out there! This year we’re taking Soccer Aid for Unicef to a whole new level, and you’re going to see that in the match for sure.
Usain: I’m always confident. The World XI is a very good team. We have players who’ve won the FIFA World Cup, the rugby World Cup and the UEFA Champions League. I think Robbie should be pretty nervous right now.
What’s your team’s style?
Robbie: We’re like the ultimate boy band, just with a few more grey hairs. There’s the smart one, the cheeky one, the quiet one, the sporty one, the cool one, the heart throb, the joker, the incredibly talented team leader. I’ll let you decide who’s who.
Usain: Well, we have amazing experience with the likes of Robert Pires, Yaya Toure, Edwin Van Der Saar, Jaap Stam, Patrick Kluivert and Clarence Seedorf. I haven’t see the celebs play yet but I’m told Gordon Ramsay can get stuck in so I’m sure it will be a great game.
Have you got a goal celebration ready to go?
Robbie: It’s all about spontaneity. We’ll do what feels natural when all those goals go in.
What do you think you bring to the team?
Robbie: Ever since helping to set up Soccer Aid for Unicef in 2006, I’ve seen just how much these games mean to children in danger. We’ve raised £24 million in that time, and when the final whistle blows it’s really only the beginning. Children all over the world get to live without fear because of these games.
Usain: I am the captain and I will be motivating my team to win. I know I have the speed and am working on my skills and tactics. I am looking forward to getting some training sessions together as a group. We will take it seriously but it is going to be a lot of fun and all for a good cause.
You’ve got a stellar line up this year. Are there any names in particular you’re excited about?
Robbie: Every player is a legend to me, but I think getting Sir Mo Farah – an actual knight of the realm – to strap on his boots for England has got to win it for me this year. I’ve got high hopes for you, Mo. I’ve been practising my Mo-Bot already!
Is there anyone you’ll be looking out for on the pitch?
Usain: Sir Mo Farah. We have known each other for many years. I don’t know how good he is on the ball but I know he will be able to run all day… and night… and day.
What do you love most about Soccer Aid for Unicef?
Robbie: It’s a game like absolutely no other, and the whole few days is just the most ridiculous fun. Looking around and realising you’re having a kick about with sporting legends, massive Hollywood stars and national treasures is a proper “pinch yourself” moment – and you can never predict what’s going to happen.
There have been so many massive moments in the past 12 years, but nothing felt quite as special as playing on the same field as Maradona in 2006.
Winning back the trophy in 2016 in front of the biggest Soccer Aid crowd was amazing too, and I can’t wait to win it at the end of this year’s match.
Usain, why did you want to get involved in Soccer Aid for Unicef this year?
Usain: I love football, I love competing in front of a big crowd, but most of all I love the fact that this game will make a real difference to thousands of children around the world.
It is my dream to make it as a professional footballer, so to be able to step out onto the pitch at Old Trafford and play against some of football’s biggest legends is going to be remarkable. I enjoy the thrill of competition in front of a crowd, so Robbie and his England team better watch out as I won’t be going easy on them!
I’ve got a pretty special celebration planned for when I score, by the way. My team is going to be unbeatable.
Got any fighting talk for the big event?
Robbie: Usain – you can run but you can’t hide from the might of this England XI. Reclaiming the title for England this year is going to taste so much sweeter with Usain leading the Soccer Aid World XI.
Usain: Robbie, you better be training hard. We are coming with our ‘A’ game.
■ SOCCER Aid can be seen on ITV tomorrow at 6.30pm. Go to manutd.com/socceraid or call 0161 444 2018 for ticket information for the match at Old Trafford.
Realising you’re having a kick about with sporting legends, massive Hollywood stars and national treasures is a proper ‘pinch yourself’ moment...
Robbie Williams