Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Paolo Maldini are among the legends who will take part in an all-star footballing exhibition in Switzerland.
The game, billed as Ronaldo, Zidane and Friends vs BSC Young Boys and Friends, is the 11th Annual Match Against Poverty, with the proceeds of the game going to help support the recovery efforts after Typhoon Haiyan – one of the most devastating storms in history – hit the Philippines.
It will take place on Tuesday, March 4 at the national stadium in Bern, Switzerland – the Stade de Suisse – and tickets are still available.
Former AC Milan defender Maldini, who will be playing on Ronaldo and Zidane’s side, said: “I was very pleased with the invitation I received. I played as a defender throughout all my career and now I’m ready to defend the people of the Philippines in the fight against poverty.”
Other familar faces include: Fernando Hierro, Fabio Cannavaro, Robert Pires, Patrick Vieira, Gennaro Gattuso, Pavel Nedved, Christian Vieri and Giovane Elber.
Former Chelsea coach Ruud Gullit, who will be in charge of the all-star side, said: “It is a privilege and a challenge to steer a team with such great world football names.
“We would like to count on a massive public presence to see us playing and help us support the people of the Philippines.”
The Young Boys team will be led by former Swiss international players Stephane Chapuisat and Hakan Yakin, while Pierluigi Collina will be the referee.
Both Ronaldo and Zidane played in the last iteration of the Match Against Poverty along with Brazilian superstar Neymar prior to his move from Santos to Barcelona.
The confirmed players in the Ronaldo, Zidane & Friends’ team are:
| Goalkeepers | Carlo Cudicini (Italy), Antonios Nikopolidis (Greece) |
| Defenders | Paolo Maldini, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy), Fernando Hierro, Michel Salgado (Spain), Jamie Carragher (England), Paulo Ferreira, Fernando Couto (Portugal) |
| Midfielders | Zinedine Zidane, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires, Christian Kerembeu (France), Luis Figo, Paulo Sousa (Portugal), Pavel Nedved (Czech Republic), Freddie Ljungberg (Sweden), Gaizka Mendieta (Spain), Gennaro Gattuso (Italy), Ronald de Boer (Netherlands), Santiago Solari (Argentina), Hidetoshi Nakata (Japan), Steve McManaman (England) |
| Attackers | Ronaldo, Marta, Giovane Elber (Brazil), Davor Suker (Croatia), Hakan Sukur (Turkey), Youri Djorkaeff (France), Christian Vieri (Italy), Nuno Gomes (Portugal). |
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