Leonardo Bonucci is going viral for ‘forgotten football help is for charity’ and leaving ex-England women’s captain Steph Houghton in a lot with brutal sliding tackle

Italian legend Leonardo Bonucci did not stop in the Charity match on Sunday for football help when he left former England Women’s captain Steph Houghton wriggle in pain after a brutal sliding tackle.

The annual charity match in Old Trafford was played in a good mood, but Bonucci’s competitive advantage took over in the final phase when the World XI concluded a 5-4 victory.

With the ball played from the right flank of England, Bonucci and Houghton both took in for a 50/50 challenge. While Houghton seemed a bit hesitant, Bonucci committed completely and won the ball, but his momentum saw him crashing in Hethton who collapsed to the turf.

Bonucci got away with the ball, but quickly saw that Houghton was in need and stopped playing so that she could get treatment.

Houghton was taken care of a few minutes before she finally got up again and could continue for the last minutes of the game.

The tackle immediately became viral, with fans on social media who praised Bonucci largely for his no-nonsense approach.

Leonardo Bonucci took out Steph Houghton with a brutal sliding tackle at football assistance

Houghton remained in pain and needed treatment after Bonucci had crashed against her

Captain Houghton of ex-England Ladies was able to finish the game after the treatment

Bonucci was praised by one fan to post a ‘right challenge’, even though it is a good cause

Another X user has branded the incident ‘Fantastic’, who praised the no-nonsense attitude of Bonucci

One supporter suggested the moment that Bonucci was cemented as a ‘legend’ of the game

Paddy Power, however, wondered if Bonucci had forgotten the game for a good cause

‘Right challenge. Houghton can take it and would not want it in any other way, “wrote one X user.

Another fan greeted him like a ‘legend’, while a supporter simply burned the incident ‘fantastic’.

However, some remained amazed that Bonucci had not been pulled out of the tackle, since it was only a good cause to raise money for Unicef.

Paddy Power asked on his social media account: “Does Leonardo Bonucci know that it’s a charity game?”

Bonucci only retired last year after ending his career at Fenerbahce.

He is best known for his time at Juventus, where he won nine Series A titles, while he was also part of the Italian Euro-winning team in 2021.

Houghton also mentioned time on her own gaming career in 2024 after winning 121 caps for England.

She led the lion ribbons to third place at the 2015 World Cup.