Another batch of superstars has been announced for Soccer Aid for UNICEF, and Scouse icon Chelcee Grimes is among this year's impressive lineup.Not only has the singer-songwriter taken the music industry by storm with her solo productions, as well as collaborations with the likes of Dua Lipa, but she knows a thing or two about kicking a ball around.The player turned presenter will make her third Soccer Aid for UNICEF appearance this summer and she sat down with GiveMeSport Women to chat all about it.Grimes, who represents the World XI on the Soccer Aid stage, will be gunning for her third consecutive win when she takes to the pitch of the London Stadium alongside the likes of Usain Bolt and Patrice Evra."There's obviously a little bit of pressure because what I'm used to is people saying 'women can't play football', but to be honest, last year I had a lot of love. The year before, again, a lot of love. "The only thing I'm missing now is a goal. I've assisted too much now."At Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2021, Grimes struck up a formidable partnership with comedian Lee Mack, providing some selfless assists. The Liverpudlian revealed Bolt, who will also return to the World XI lineup, gave her some advice ahead of this year's match."I put him [Mack] through on toast too many times! Usain's pulled me to one side and said 'listen Chelcee, you get a chance [to score], you take it.'"
As the top scorer for Merseyrail Ladies this season, Grimes will fancy her chances of finally finding the back of the net.
I'm hoping this year for a goal and to be the first woman to score at Soccer Aid. I'd love that, that would just be a dream.
Grimes joked she will be seriously manifesting this iconic achievement in the lead up to Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2022, sage sticks and all.
Read more: Full Soccer Aid 2022 line-up revealed
To be the first woman to score in the world's biggest celebrity charity match would write her name in the history books. It would also make a huge statement about the quality of female players and chip away at the stigma surrounding women's football.
"That would be the handle on my dating profile — that would be everywhere," Grimes laughed as she thought about becoming the first woman to score at Soccer Aid for UNICEF. "But no really, I've grown up playing football when you were lucky if you even got a matching kit.
"I grew up in the time where it wasn't professional, you didn't get paid fully, everyone had a second job. So just to be up there, you know, even when I'm playing against Fara Williams and Kelly Smith — I thought when I gave up football that was it, it would never happen.
"But Soccer Aid has come back and given me the opportunity to mix with the best. It's just amazing."
Remarkably, since the charity match was established by Robbie Williams in 2006, there is yet to be a woman on the scoresheet.
Joining Grimes on the roster this year is England's most capped player Fara Williams, who will no doubt also be looking to make an impact for her side.
We can expect to see more iconic women announced over the coming months.
"On a personal level, of course I would love to score. I just want to be the first girl to score because it's never been done. Or even to pass to my teammate and if she gets the goal — we just want a girl to score this year, I think that's what's been missing.
"But the bigger goal, pun intended, is to raise more money than we did last year. So it's important that everyone goes and buys tickets and sells it out."
Soccer Aid for UNICEF has showcased some of the world's biggest footballing talents and A-List celebrities over the years.
Grimes has shared the pitch with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Roberto Carlos. This year, megastars including artist Liam Payne and Line of Duty actor Martin Compston will all look to encourage spectators in their droves to the London Stadium.
With endless possibilities ahead, Grimes shared a couple of names who she would love to see on the roster in the future.
"I'd love for Steven Gerrard to be there one day, Cristiano Ronaldo, Carli Lloyd... And maybe a musician like Lady Gaga."
With spaces on the teams still to be filled, the hope of Lady Gaga jetting over to play at West Ham's ground remains alive. But for now, supporters will wait in anticipation to find out who else will be joining the incredible cause.
"We sit there and we watch videos about how the money raised before is helping to change lives — it's an emotional place. We are all there to play football but we also know the bigger reason why we're there and that's to keep raising money and hopefully be entertaining but at the end of the day, it's peoples' lives that we have got to change."
England team announced so far: Harry Redknapp (Manager), Liam Payne (Captain), Lucien Laviscount, Tom Grennan, Chunkz, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Fara Williams, Joe Cole, Alex Brooker, David Seaman (Goalkeeper Coach).
World XI announced so far: Arsene Wenger (Manager), Usain Bolt (Captain) Martin Compston, Mo Gilligan, Chelcee Grimes, Patrice Evra, Robbie Keane.
Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2022 takes place on Sunday 12th June at the London Stadium. A family of four can attend the game for just £60 – buy your tickets at socceraid.org.uk/tickets