How glum Louis Tomlinson’s ‘hard stares’ at Sam Thompson displayed the depths of their ‘playground mentality’ just moments before TV star revealed he was out of Soccer Aid match

Sam Thompson announced that he couldn’t participate in the Soccer Aid match scheduled for Sunday, due to his doctor’s advice, following a lively performance during training on Friday, despite suffering a severe calf injury.

It was quite obvious that there was tension between him and the One Direction band member, Louis Tomlinson. Louis seemed to give Sam a stern gaze, and both looked uneasy and downcast.

32-year-old Sam has consistently maintained that there are no lingering negative emotions after his former girlfriend Zara McDermott swiftly moved on with musician Louis, age 33, following their breakup in December. Since they made their relationship official in March, the new pair have been nearly inseparable.

However, according to Judi James, an expert on body language, Louis and Sam seem to exhibit a ‘childhood playground attitude’, even though they present a different image in public. Interestingly, spectators have pointed out that there was no instance of handshakes or friendly interactions observed between the two.

Although it’s very praiseworthy that the duo kept their promise to a children’s charity, Unicef, by attending two days of training, Judi informed TopMob that while Sam seemed quite integrated with the other team members, showing smiles and happiness, Louis appeared more subdued and distant.

She said: ‘There seems to be more of a playground dynamic growing from the body language here.

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It appears that Sam is deeply integrated within their main circle, often taking a prominent position and capturing everyone’s focus, whereas Louis occasionally seems quite detached, looking somewhat sad, and not as involved in the group’s social activities.

Surrounded by his friends and engrossed in conversation, Sam, ‘Sam’ being the focus here, appears to be immersed. Meanwhile, Louis casts a stern gaze in Sam’s direction.

His gaze may not solely be focused on Sam, but he appears to be scanning the entire group with a serious and seemingly displeased demeanor.

Judi too thinks that a certain ‘chemistry’ might be building up between the two gentlemen, noticeably in the picture where they’re side by side on the field.

As Louis and the other man cross paths on the field, there’s a thoughtful, almost serious look in his eyes, she noted.

Let’s avoid turning this into a deliberate intense gaze toward Sam, as it appears he may not be looking at him intentionally, but there seems to be a subtle tension or building energy between them instead.

‘With his hands on his hips, Louis does look really down and perhaps rather uncomfortable.’

She, too, observed a distinct change in behavior between Sam and Louis while both were striking their pose for the collective photograph.

In the spotlight as if posing for a large group photograph, once more finding himself at the center, Sam flashes a broad, contented, and jovial smile.

Louis adopts a tight-lipped expression that appears more like a subdued, restrained grin, suggesting he’s participating but lacking genuine enthusiasm, unlike the others who are openly displaying joyful smiles here.

In the same pattern, when he stands at the back alongside Sam, it’s once more Sam who takes center stage, receiving warm glances that seem to indicate approval and focus, despite the fact that he himself humbly averts his gaze.

Here, Louis appears more expressionless and less smiley compared to others. He’s focusing straight ahead, whereas the rest of the group or team seems to be gazing towards Sam.

In a recent interview on This Morning on Friday, the 32-year-old individual sadly announced that he would not participate in the charity game scheduled for this coming Sunday, June 15th.

Following a series of injuries, such as a calf injury, that occurred after his 260-mile soccer event, he experienced them during the first part of the month.

Instead of playing the game, the reality star will be helping from the sidelines as a coach. 

As an overly enthusiastic admirer, I couldn’t help but wonder about your wellbeing after the unfortunate incident. So, I found myself inquiring, “Are you back on your feet now? How have you been coping lately?

Sam responded: “I’m still quite achy due to my torn calf, but despite that, I’m now at Soccer Aid Headquarters, and let me tell you, there’s nowhere I’d rather be.

We continue with the English management team, joined by Vicky McClure, Tyson Fury taking on fresh roles, and Harry Redknapp as well.

Additionally, since I won’t be running around, I’ll still be a part of the management team. Let’s work together, my dear!

Dermot said: ‘So you can’t play this year obviously because you’re literally falling apart. 

‘So is that right? you’re not going to play but you’re part of the management team?’

Sam expressed that he arrived with great expectations, visited Gary the physiotherapist, and is now able to kick a ball from a stationary position. However, in the context of the unpredictable nature of competitive sports, he finds it impossible to perform effectively.

‘Since I’m not very good at running, yes. Still, they were extremely gracious and invited me to join them, meaning I get to accompany Tyson Fury on the less-than-sunny side.’

In the latter part of the show, Sam rejoined Alison and Dermot for a conversation from the field, joined by actress Bella Ramsey, comedian Paddy McGuinness, and Strictly’s Gorka Márquez.

Sam asked Bella, “How do you feel about soccer aid being your first time here?”, and she replied that she was enjoying it a lot.

Paddy mentioned: “When you arrive and discover everyone is simply delightful, it creates a wonderful atmosphere. It’s truly enchanting to be included in this magical setting.

Sam additionally mentioned his choice to retreat from playing, stating: “In fact, I’ll be on the sideline, Bella, and I believe you might not have realized this, but I am currently a coach for England now.

Gary informed me that I’m not allowed to play, a rule I find astonishing… Yet, I’ll be supporting Tyson Fury from the sidelines instead.

‘I’m also tiny so I don’t know if I’m going to be able to get into his ear.’ 

Louis and Sam encountered each other in an uncomfortable situation during the Soccer Aid training session on a Thursday.

The situation became rather uncomfortable for Louis and Sam as they found themselves training together on the field, and they made an effort to steer clear of each other’s gazes while interacting with their famous fellow players.

As they strove to remain inconspicuous, continually using their personal gadgets, the duo occasionally caught each other’s eye in what could be described as a momentary display of friendliness, when Sam flashed a grin at his companion.

Judi James further explained the minimal interaction they had on Thursday, acknowledging that trying to avert each other’s eyes actually made them more noticeable or captivating.

Judi explained that Sam seems eager to avoid being labeled a failure in romance, whereas Louis comes across as more reserved.

She mentioned that there might have been an opportunity for these two individuals to acknowledge each other with a hug or a handshake, even if it was brief, but instead, they opted to subtly avoid the situation. Notably, Sam used to date Zara, while Louis is currently her partner.

Overlooking an evident situation often makes it more noticeable, turning into something that draws attention. This can create a challenge in achieving the intended aim of avoiding overshadowing the charity event.

Judi explained that Sam was displaying a confident, boastful demeanor, aiming to project an image of being friendly rather than appearing unsuccessful in romance. In contrast, Louis appeared more reserved.

Despite appearing as trustworthy individuals, there seems to be a sense of theatricality surrounding them due to their avoidance of eye contact and formal greetings during the encounter, she continued.

Each seems to have chosen different personas. Sam exudes an extroverted demeanor, using expressive body language like a broad grin and energetic hand movements that suggest he’s seeking attention, whereas Louis appears reserved, preferring to observe the action with a quiet smile instead of initiating it himself.

Sam seems eager to project an image of not being a lovelorn individual. His lively body language exudes positivity, assurance, and enthusiasm, which hints that he may have already moved forward from his relationship with Zara.

Louis seems attentive and engaged, yet neither of the two gentlemen, who are well-known for their friendly demeanor, appear to exhibit any overt signs of competition or open animosity.

As the two men exchanged a fleeting smile, Judi noted that Sam seemed to be expressing himself more openly or ‘actively communicating’, whereas Louis appeared unresponsive or ‘unmoving in expression’.

It seems that Sam is being more verbose in his communications, whereas Louis remains relatively still, with his hands on his hips and appears to be observing quietly. She further commented on this.

Sam partially lifted his hands and flashed a smile that seemed to indicate a confident friendliness, with his upper lip raised and cheeks pulled back slightly as his mouth opened wide. This appeared to be a display of spirited sportsmanship.

He appears to be flexing his bicep pointedly towards Louis, conveying a sense of physical power, as his hand is loosely clenched into a fist.

If Sam seems friendly yet competitive with his posture, Louis doesn’t seem to pick up on that vibe, instead appearing calm and unfazed in this instance.

After her breakup with Sam, Zara soon began moving forward with Louis. The two, who seem to be smitten, have been seen on numerous affectionate outings and vacations since their relationship became public knowledge in March.

During the training session, Sam and Louis seemed to be intentionally keeping their distance from one another. However, it was noticed that the singer couldn’t help but steal frequent, prolonged glances at the TV star while they were both on the field. As for Sam, he occasionally turned to glance back in response.

The duo was spotted playing soccer together with their teammates, all donning identical blue jerseys.

Louis seemed noticeably uneasy as he positioned himself right behind a chatty Sam, suggesting they may or may not have had any interaction off-camera.

It appears that Sam and Louis will continue to maintain some personal space in the communal areas, since they each have their own designated spaces within them.

Upon Sam’s arrival at the training session, he managed a smile for photographs, while an ecstatic Louis was snapped as he entered and walked onto the field.

The evening prior, Zara demonstrated her backing for her latest beau, Louis, by preparing them a creamy salmon pasta for supper. Interestingly, a guitar belonging to Louis, who is a singer, was visible in the picture as she arranged the dish on the plate.

After Louis arranged for his new girlfriend to travel first-class to his private island, they both had an enchanting vacation at his Los Angeles residence and in Costa Rica, spending quality time as a new couple.

Meanwhile, Sam has moved on with Love Island beauty Samie Eilshi, 25. 

Following the public display of their affection with a passionate kiss in Mayfair earlier this month, whispers of a breakup intensified when Samie failed to appear alongside Sam during his high-profile event for Soccer Aid last week.

The initial speculations about their relationship have been debunked, and it appears that their love is growing even stronger, given they enjoy each other’s company during their free time, according to a source who is familiar with the couple. (TopMob was not specified but can be assumed as the source of the information.)

In the latest installment of their podcast “Staying Relevant” last month, Pete Wicks, aged 37, playfully hinted at a possibly uncomfortable run-in between him and Louis regarding a future situation.

The TOWIE celebrity inquired from his fellow host, “It seems like you’re dealing with quite a bit regarding your body, diet, and exercise routines. Is this all for Soccer Aid?

However, without changing topic, Pete inquired: ‘Are there any folks inside that you’re excited to collaborate with?’

Sam chuckled, saying, “‘Tom Grennan’ is who I’ll be sharing the stage with! With none other than Wayne Rooney as our manager, and Tyson Fury at the helm, my excitement is building!’

Pete quipped, “That’s going to be incredibly fantastic. Just remember, it’s crucial to keep him as an ally, as you might require his support if you have disagreements with others. I’m not saying this will happen, but just in case there are any disputes or rivalries.

Indeed, I’ve found that shared training can be quite intense, especially when you’re working closely with someone. A variety of topics tend to surface during such times. To put it simply…

In a tailored white tee and blue denims, Tom Grennan, the singer, displayed his toned body upon his arrival for Soccer Aid practice session.

Simultaneously, ex-goalkeeper Joe Hart smiled brightly while getting ready for pictures prior to the match, and Strictly contestant Gorka Marquez showed up as well.

A week ago, Sam experienced a calf strain during the initial day of his demanding 260-mile soccer marathon benefiting Unicef.

Although the TV personality expressed concerns that his legs might prevent him from participating in the football match and emphasized his efforts to overcome this challenge, it appeared that Sam could potentially participate in parts of the game since he was seen joining the training sessions.

On Tuesday, Sam posted another update, saying: “Working hard to perfect my legs for the soccer game! I’m determined to contribute [smiling face with laughing emoji].

Sam chuckled and admitted that he was enjoying it, yet clarified that he wasn’t fond of the game itself, but rather Pete persisted, “Are you perhaps mistaken about it being for Soccer Aid? How do you feel? You’re participating again. It must be quite thrilling, right?

He added: ‘How do you feel about the line up? Do you think you’ve got a strong team?’

Awkwardly laughing, Sam replied: ‘Got a really strong team’.

Louis is set to team up with celebrities such as Tyson Fury, Jill Scott, Grennan, and Paddy McGuinness on an impressive roster, whereas Wayne Rooney will come back from his break to assume a management role.

Sam could potentially find himself with extra time to deepen his relationship with Samie, as they’ve both just shared publicly about their connection for the very first time.

Initially, Sam crossed paths with Samie, a contestant from Love Island in 2023 who reappeared in the All Stars season this year, during his hosting duties for the Aftersun program.

Samie talked openly about their budding romance for the first occasion, during a chat on the Chloe Mediumship podcast.

In this episode, the program is led by a spiritual guide who demonstrated that she’s experienced unpleasant intuitions about past romantic connections.

She shared: “I’ve sensed intuitive warnings with men in the past. I’ve been in a few relationships where I just knew they weren’t right. It was as if I had a premonition that things would not last, and every day I felt an inner voice telling me this isn’t meant for you.

Initially, you choose to ignore a situation and then realize things are becoming more disorganized. It feels as though the universe is warning you with an impending explosion if you don’t part ways soon. If only I had heeded that initial message I received months ago.

You ignored the issue, but now it seems out of control. It feels like a big warning sign is flashing, saying “Split up now!” If only I had listened to the first hint back then.

Later on, host Chloe inquired: ‘You aren’t required to discuss it extensively, but is there a sense within you that the person you’re conversing with now might turn out to be quite remarkable?’ or simply ‘Do you feel that the person you’re talking to has potential for something great?’

With a guarded demeanor, the ex-Love Island participant responded: “At present, there’s nothing negative happening, so yes, everything seems to be going well. We’re still in the beginning stages.

At the beginning of the year, there were rumors about a budding relationship between Zara and Louis. They confirmed their relationship status in March, which was three months following the news that Zara and her former boyfriend, Sam, had split up, as reported by TopMob.

Regardless of his sadness about Zara’s swift move, individuals near Sam confirmed that he bore no ill feelings towards Louis due to their new relationship, according to TopMob’s exclusive reports at the time.

A source close to the star said: ‘Sam has no hard feelings towards Louis, that’s for sure.

‘As far as he’s concerned, Louis is Zara’s new man and he’s just got to accept it.

He’s an optimistic individual who tends to focus on his work and immerse himself in upcoming tasks, finding solace and excitement in them after this incident.

It’s clear that his heart was broken when their relationship ended, and just as anyone else might feel, seeing an ex move on swiftly can be challenging. If he was filled with both fury and sorrow, it’s not hard to comprehend why.

‘But he’s not sitting around wallowing in self pity, far from it.’

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’m thrilled to share that this year’s Soccer Aid for Unicef will grace our screens on the serene evening of Sunday, 15th June. You can catch the heartwarming match on ITV1 and ITVX, straight from the hallowed grounds of Old Trafford, Manchester.

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2025-06-14 02:52