For football lovers and gaming fanatics, the FIFA video game series has been a staple for nearly three decades. Many players have grown up with the game, experiencing the evolution of virtual football from its early 90s editions to the modern, hyper-realistic versions we see today. Among the most iconic titles in the series was FIFA Football 2004, a game that holds a special place in the hearts of long-time FIFA players. Its cover featured three footballing legends—Thierry Henry, Alessandro Del Piero, and Ronaldinho, each representing their clubs and national teams in an era-defining moment.
Recently, this classic FIFA cover has been brought back into the spotlight in a rather unexpected way. Manny, a popular YouTuber and the brother of Sidemen’s Toby (TBJZL), participated in a charity football match where he managed to perfectly recreate the FIFA 04 cover image. Given that Manny, like many of us, likely grew up playing FIFA 04, this moment has stirred nostalgia across social media, with fans appreciating the incredible tribute to one of the most beloved FIFA editions.
But what was this charity game? Where did it take place? Who participated? And how did Manny end up recreating one of FIFA’s most iconic cover images? Let’s delve into the details of this viral moment, the legacy of FIFA Football 2004, and why this recreation resonated so deeply with the gaming and football community.
Match for Hope: Where Football Legends and Creators Unite
Manny’s viral moment took place on 14th Feb 2025 at Match for Hope 2025, an annual charity football match held in Qatar. The event brings together some of the biggest football legends and content creators to play in a match that raises millions of dollars for out-of-school children worldwide. Organized under QLife, Qatar’s premier cultural platform, the event combines the power of sport with social impact, aiming to build on Qatar’s FIFA World Cup legacy and become one of the region’s leading creator-driven sports events.
Since its inaugural edition, Match for Hope has seen incredible participation from former football stars and YouTube sensations. The 2024 edition saw Arsène Wenger managing a team featuring Roberto Carlos, Eden Hazard, and David Villa, while Antonio Conte coached legends like Kaká, Didier Drogba, and Claude Makélélé.
The 2025 edition, held just a few days ago, saw even bigger names take the pitch. Two teams, Team Chunkz and Team Aboflah, were created, with YouTubers Chunkz and Aboflah acting as representatives. The match ended in a thrilling 6-5 victory for Team Aboflah, breaking previous fundraising records by raising over $10 million to help an estimated 70,000 schoolchildren worldwide.
This year’s star-studded lineup included:
• Team Chunkz: Thogden, Toby Brown, Harry Pinero, Manny Brown, AJ Shabil, Andrés Iniesta, David Silva, IShowSpeed, Chunks, Tayo, Kimura
• Team Aboflah: KSI, Danny Arons, Angry Ginge, Miniminter, Andrea Pirlo, Alessandro Del Piero, Billy Wingrove, Aboflah, Thierry Henry
The game wasn’t just about football—it was a night filled with entertainment, moments of sportsmanship, and social awareness. After the match, Thierry Henry shared his thoughts on the true purpose of the event, stating:
I am past that line of winning. How you impact people is more important.
I don’t care who’s canceling me. F** you.
These moments, along with KSI mocking IShowSpeed with a ‘Siu’ celebration, made the event a memorable spectacle for fans worldwide.
Manny’s FIFA 04 Cover Recreation: A Dream Come True
While the match had countless viral moments, one particular image stole the show—Manny’s FIFA 04 cover recreation.
After the game, Manny seized the opportunity to bring Thierry Henry and Alessandro Del Piero together for a photo, posing in the exact same running fashion as the iconic FIFA Football 2004 cover.
The only difference? Instead of Ronaldinho, Manny himself stood in his place, perfectly replicating the legendary image.
For many football fans, FIFA 04 was their first introduction to the FIFA franchise, making this recreation even more meaningful. Manny, a long-time FIFA content creator, couldn’t believe the moment was real, sharing his excitement on social media with the caption:
From my first FIFA to this… life isn’t real.
The internet exploded with reactions from fans who grew up playing FIFA 04, with many calling the recreation a “childhood dream come true.” Some of the most notable fan reactions included:
“That’s some elite nostalgia right there. The FIFA 2004 cover was legendary.”
• “His childhood dream comes true.”
• “It’s not just funny; it’s a tribute to legends and a reminder of how these games have shaped football culture. The effort to recreate it shows how much these moments mean to us fans.”
This moment wasn’t just about nostalgia—it was a testament to how FIFA has influenced an entire generation of football lovers.
Who is Manny? The Man Behind the Iconic Recreation
For those unfamiliar with Manny, his full name is Emmanuel John Manny Brown, born on June 10, 1996. The 28-year-old English content creator is widely known as “FIFA Manny” and has built a massive following through his FIFA gaming content, football videos, and music career.
Manny is the brother of Sidemen member TBJZL (Toby Brown) and has over a million subscribers on his main YouTube channel. He is not only a passionate football fan but also an active participant in various charity football matches, often seen alongside his Sidemen peers.
His Match for Hope 2025 moment further solidified his reputation as someone deeply connected to football culture and gaming nostalgia.
A Perfect Tribute to FIFA’s 04 Legacy
Manny’s FIFA 04 cover recreation wasn’t just a fun tribute—it was a symbol of how video games and football culture are deeply intertwined. For a generation that grew up playing FIFA, this image was a time capsule—a reminder of the childhood memories spent mastering Off the Ball controls, Football Fusion mode, and taking lower-division clubs to the top in Manager Career Mode in this 04 edition.
The fact that this recreation happened at Match for Hope, an event dedicated to making a real impact through football, made it even more special. It was a celebration of football’s legacy, gaming nostalgia, and social good—all in one frame.
For many fans, Manny’s photo wasn’t just a viral moment—it was a tribute to the game that shaped their love for football. And in that one iconic picture, the past and present of football and gaming came together in perfect harmony.
