On June 15, a charity football match called Soccer Aid was held at Old Trafford in Manchester, where the England team faced off against a World XI featuring former footballers and celebrities.
Leonardo Bonucci, a champion of Euro 2020 and a two-time UEFA Nations League bronze medalist, took down former Manchester City captain and England women’s national team player Steph Houghton with a hard tackle while still making contact with the ball.
The 34-year-old defender, who won bronze at the 2015 Women’s World Cup, fell to the ground and injured her shoulder. The athlete had to request a substitution and leave the game.
The match concluded with a score of 5-4 in favor of the World XI. Former Juventus, Manchester City, Boca Juniors striker, and 2004 Olympic champion Carlos Tevez scored four goals for the winners. The exhibition raised a total of 17.5 million euros to benefit UNICEF’s children’s charity.
At 38 years old, Bonucci retired from professional football in May 2024 and has been serving as an assistant coach for the Italy U-20 national team since October 22, 2024.
