On February 14, 2025, the highly anticipated Match for Hope charity football event returned for its latest edition, bringing together some of the biggest names in football and internet entertainment. Held under QLife, Qatar’s premier cultural platform, the event aimed to blend the power of sport with social impact, raising over $10 million for out-of-school children worldwide—breaking previous fundraising records and helping an estimated 70,000 children gain access to education.
Building on the legacy of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Match for Hope has grown into one of the biggest influencer-led charity football events. The 2024 edition saw legendary managers Arsène Wenger and Antonio Conte coach teams featuring the likes of Roberto Carlos, Eden Hazard, David Villa, Kaka, Didier Drogba, and Claude Makélélé. But this year’s 2025 edition took things to another level, attracting even bigger stars from both the footballing world and the influencer space.
The Teams: Team Chunkz vs. Team Aboflah
Like last year, the match saw two opposing squads:
• Team Chunkz, captained by popular UK-based YouTuber Chunkz, featured internet stars like Tobi Brown, Thogden, Harry Pinero, Manny Brown, and football icons like Andrés Iniesta and David Silva.
• Team Aboflah, led by Middle Eastern YouTube sensation Aboflah, had an equally stacked lineup with KSI, Danny Aarons, Angry Ginge, MiniMinter, and footballing royalty in Andrea Pirlo, Alessandro Del Piero, and Thierry Henry.
A significant addition this year was IShowSpeed (Speed), who served as a secondary representative for Team Chunkz, while KSI played the same role for Team Aboflah. The two engaged in lighthearted banter and hilarious press conferences leading up to the game, adding to the entertainment.
When the match finally kicked off, it delivered a thrilling 6-5 victory for Team Aboflah, packed with meme-worthy moments, high-quality football, and, of course, Speed’s chaotic, unfiltered energy.
IShowSpeed’s Performance: Another Tough Outing?
Speed has developed a reputation for struggling in live football events, dating back to his Sidemen Charity Game appearances.
Despite his boundless enthusiasm and raw athleticism, he has never managed to score a goal in these matches. His previous outings have seen him lose possession, miss big chances, or fall flat on his face—sometimes all in one game.
At Match for Hope 2025, Speed was once again in the spotlight, and while he produced some entertaining moments, his goal drought continued. He was substituted off after just 30 minutes and never brought back on, much to his frustration.
Speed’s Match Highlights: Chaos, Skill, and More Misfortune
Despite his limited playing time, Speed still provided plenty of talking points, both good and bad. Here’s a breakdown of his most notable moments:
42 Seconds In – Early Chance Denied
Right from the start, Speed was involved in the action. After a powerful shot from Chunkz was saved, the rebound fell perfectly to Speed. He took a quick shot, but Angry Ginge made a dramatic goal-line clearance, denying him his first-ever goal in a charity match.
8th Minute – Speed’s Lightning Run Leads to Own Goal
Speed found himself in acres of space after a defensive interception by Team Chunkz. Using his blistering pace—a skill he once showcased by almost beating Olympic sprinter Noah Lyles in a race—he sprinted down the right wing only to put in a cross which gets deflected off KSI who was playing as a defender for Team Aboflah, it was like a proper strimer’s finish but only for his own team.
22nd Minute – A Clumsy Touch and Frustration
Receiving a midfield pass from David Silva, Speed had a golden opportunity on the right side. However, a heavy first touch saw the ball get away from him, leading to a crunching tackle from an opposition defender.
Frustrated, Speed immediately turned to the referee, demanding a booking, but his appeals were waved away.
23rd Minute – The Skill Move That Went Viral
Speed’s best moment of the game came shortly after. Receiving the ball inside the box, he feinted a dribble down the byline, baiting Danny Aarons into a reckless two-footed slide tackle.
Danny went flying—completely missing the ball—while Speed stopped in his tracks, sending his opponent “for a hotdog,” as the internet put it.
However, before Speed could capitalize, Aarons recovered in time to block his follow-up attempt, sending the ball out for a corner.
38th Minute – Another Missed Opportunity
In what would be one of his last contributions, Speed found himself in the perfect position on the right flank as the ball rolled toward him. He stretched out for a shot but failed to make solid contact, allowing MiniMinter and Aarons to clear the danger.
Post-Match Shenanigans: KSI Trolls Speed Again
Speed’s frustration was evident throughout the game, and it only got worse after the final whistle. As soon as Team Chunkz lost, KSI ran straight to Speed and hit him with the infamous “Siuuu” celebration—rubbing salt in the wound.
But KSI wasn’t done. Throughout the night, he was seen mocking Speed by performing the “L” dance from Fortnite, adding to the banter.
Off-the-Pitch Highlights: Interactions With Football Legends
Despite his disappointment, Speed still had memorable interactions with football icons:
• Thierry Henry personally invited him to appear on CBS Sports’ popular football show alongside Kate Abdo, Jamie Carragher, and Micah Richards.
• Andrés Iniesta asked Speed to meet his son, showing how much kids adore the YouTube sensation.
• Alessandro Del Piero and Andrea Pirlo consoled him after the match, encouraging him to keep improving and promising to “teach him how to play better.”
Speed also went viral off the field when he forced KSI to sing his meme-worthy song “Thick of It” during a livestream, saying he wouldn’t play in next month’s Sidemen Charity Match unless KSI complied. Of course, KSI eventually reluctantly sang the song, creating yet another moment for the internet to enjoy.
Final Thoughts: Speed’s Charity Match Struggles Continue
For all his energy, speed, and enthusiasm, IShowSpeed’s charity football curse remains unbroken. While he provided some of the night’s funniest and most viral moments, his goal drought continued, and his frustration was clear.
Will Speed finally break his streak in the next charity game? Or will we see more memes, more slips, and more Ls? Whatever happens, one thing is certain: as long as Speed is on the pitch, the internet will have a field day.
