Louis Tomlinson and Sam Thompson faced each other for the first time during Soccer Aid training at Old Trafford on Thursday, following the former’s new relationship with Sam’s ex, Zara McDermott. Both individuals are part of the same England team for Unicef, and observers noted their clear efforts to avoid eye contact and minimize interaction.
However, at one juncture, Louis was observed staring intently at Sam on the pitch, despite the Made In Chelsea star appearing cheerful and composed. According to the Daily Mail, this moment is particularly charged given their shared history: Sam and Zara concluded their five-year relationship earlier this year, while Zara and Louis publicly confirmed their romance in March.
Since then, the new couple has been seen enjoying lavish trips to Los Angeles and Costa Rica. Zara even cooked Louis a homemade dinner, which she shared on social media, prominently featuring his guitar in the background. Meanwhile, Sam has maintained a diplomatic stance, publicly asserting that there are “no hard feelings.” Furthermore, he recently completed a demanding 260-mile charity marathon for Unicef last week, arriving at training in good spirits despite recent injuries that almost prevented his participation.
The outlet reported that the pair were seen in matching blue training kits and took part in group drills, but continued to maintain their distance, with their changing room spots reportedly kept separate. Despite the underlying awkwardness, both men smiled for a team photo at the end of the session, suggesting that professionalism is prevailing, at least on the surface.
In other news, Sam appears to be moving on romantically, with whispers of a burgeoning relationship with Love Island’s Samie Elishi, although her absence from recent events had briefly sparked speculation of a split. Additionally, Pete Wicks, Sam’s co-host on the Staying Relevant podcast, humorously hinted at the potential tension, alluding to the emotional significance of sharing the pitch with an ex’s new partner
