British-Nigerian actor Damson Idris impressed fans with his football skills during his debut at the Soccer Aid for UNICEF match at the London Stadium, where his standout performance helped England secure a 3-2 victory over the World XI.
The Snowfall star played a key role in England’s win, opening the scoring after receiving a pass from Jermaine Defoe and calmly finishing past the goalkeeper.
His hidden football talent drew widespread praise on social media, with many fans joking that he might have chosen football over acting.
One fan commented, “When I first saw it, I thought it was AI. Bro is nice. Definitely better than some players,” while others added, “He could go pro in the Australian league,” “Same character in Snowfall,” and “Nigerians are natural ballers, facts only.”
Soccer Aid raised Sh16.4 million (€16.4 million) for UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, which supports initiatives that protect children’s right to play, learn, and grow up healthy.
Idris has taken part in several charitable initiatives, focusing on improving livelihoods globally.
One of his partnerships includes (RED), the campaign founded by Bono to fight global health emergencies and pandemics by ensuring access to testing, treatment, and life-saving vaccines in underserved communities.
Beyond formal partnerships, Idris has used his platform to promote grassroots creative opportunities for young people.
He has also advocated for greater access in Hollywood and major film productions for aspiring actors and crew members.
Other celebrities who took part in the match included Tom Hiddleston, Danny Dyer, Jordan North, and Owen Cooper, among others.
The performance added another memorable moment to the annual charity fixture, which brings together football legends and celebrities for a charitable cause.
Soccer Aid is an annual charity match featuring England against a World XI, with participants including actors, musicians, social media personalities, and retired professional footballers who donate their time to support humanitarian causes.