Soccer Aid will return once again this June with a whole host of new and returning players. The star-studded match, which raises money for children's charity UNICEF, will take place at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium for the first time since 2018.
Amongst the famous faces returning to the pitch is entrepreneur and businessman Steven Bartlett, who made his Soccer Aid debut last year. The 30-year-old, who famously joined Dragon's Den as its youngest ever Dragon at just 28, says it is a 'dream come true' to be playing at Manchester United's ground, something he has envisioned since he was a child as a United fan.
Having co-founded the multi-million pound company Social Chain from his bedroom in Manchester at just 21 years old, Steven has gone on to launch and invest in several companies, as well as becoming the host of his ever successful podcast The Diary of a CEO.
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Steven, who was born in Botswana before moving to Plymouth at the age of two, will once again join the World XI team alongside the captain and Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt, Love Island's Kem Cetinay, comedian Lee Mack, and many more names to be announced.
Speaking about playing in the charity match for the second year, Steven told the Manchester Evening News: "I couldn't be more excited. It’s an honour and a privilege and I couldn’t think of any reason not to sign up again.
"For starters a record breaking 15 million was donated to UNICEF last year, and having been exposed to the impact that money has on lives all around the world is reason enough. But then from a more personal reason, it's just a huge amount of fun from start to finish."
The World XI side secured a win for the fourth year in a row last year after comedian Lee Mack scored the winning penalty, and Steven is confident his team can take the victory once again.
"It felt fantastic to win last year. The best part was Lee Mack winning the entire thing for us and I'm betting on him doing that again," Steven said.
"It’s a lot of fun at the end of the day but I’m also insanely competitive and I like to win. I think I played terribly last year and I could have played a lot better, so this year it's a mission of personal redemption for me.
"I’m looking forward to winning again this year hopefully, but also breaking the record of the money raised last year."
The author of his own book, Happy Sexy Millionaire, played football as a youngster and says that he loves getting back into training for Soccer Aid.
"I used to play for my local team every week until I was about 16 and then I played for Devon. But like most people say they got injured and that's why they're not pro, so I'm just going to go with that as well," Steven said.
"Playing for Soccer Aid always makes me want to get back into it. Between now and the game day on June 11th I'll be playing four or five times a week. It brings me back to my childhood being able to play again."
The last Soccer Aid for UNICEF match played at Old Trafford, with fans, was back in 2018. As an avid Manchester United fan, Steven says it's a 'dream come true' to be playing at United's ground.
“It’s the best news ever that it’s back in Manchester this year and it's an absolute dream come true to be playing at Old Trafford," he said.
"Half my family were born in Manchester so I’ve been a United fan since I was baby. When you're playing in the garden growing up you dream of kicking a ball on that pitch so for me to be playing at Old Trafford is something that I never really never believed could possibly come true.
"I am a huge Manchester United fan and I always will be, I go to all the away days. Maybe one day I'll be able to buy the club."
Looking at his rival England team sheet, Steven said: "I'm seeing Paul Scholes and nobody told me about that. He’s insane and I think I'm having anxiety just looking at his name.
"He's one of those people that just doesn't need to move to be world-class. He can just pick up the ball anywhere and send it anywhere, so some of us will have to run. I was 100 percent confident that we will win but maybe 99 percent now with Paul Scholes."
Giving advice to his teammates who are participating in Soccer Aid for the first time, Steven said: "I was doing it for the first time last year and everyone was just so supportive and kind, showing me the ropes and telling me what to expect, so I feel somewhat of a responsibility to do that for those who are doing it for the first time this year.
"My advice to them is the advice I was given which is just to enjoy the whole experience and don't lose sight of why we're doing this which is ultimately for UNICEF and lots of young lives all around the world. But also to remember it because it also goes so quickly as do all good things when you’re having fun."
The charity match will air live and exclusively on ITV, STV and ITVX on Sunday, June 11.
Tickets to attend the game are on sale now via www.socceraid.org.uk/tickets with a ticket for a family of four priced at just £60.
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