Barcelona and Real Madrid legends are to lock horns in a star-studded El Clasico fixture later this month.
On Friday, Barca confirmed that their team of icons will take part in their first match for over a year when they play against their Spanish football rivals in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Deco, Gaizka Mendieta, Javier Saviola and Ronald de Boer are just some of the Blaugrana stars who will be take to the pitch at the 29,400 capacity Bloomfield Stadium on 20 July.
Albert Ferrer, who spent over a decade as a player at the Nou Camp, winning 15 honours, will manage the side in their first outing since a match against Colombian legends in March 2020 in Bogota prior to the COVID-19 pandemic taking its toll.
🔥 Barça Legends 🆚 Real Madrid
📅 July 20
📍 Bloomfield Stadium, Tel Aviv— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 2, 2021
Real are yet to release their official squad list but are expected to arrive in Israel on July 19, a day prior to the game.
According to the Times of Israel, legendary left-back Roberto Carlos will be part of the stacked travelling Los Blancos party, along with a man who played for both clubs, Luis Figo.
The Portuguese ace spent five years at Barcelona but signed for Real in a controversial €62 million move in 2000 – prompting one Barca fan to throw a pig’s head at him upon his return to the Nou Camp.
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| Image: PA |
The huge clash is being called the “El Clásico of Peace and will be shown live on Barca TV. Tickets are now on sale for NIS 199 (£44).
A statement from Barcelona read: “The Barca Legends are the result of an FC Barcelona programme to showcase the great players that have worn its famous colours over the years.
“It is designed to help promote the Barca name and values around the world through its former players, and to enable them to continue playing for the team even after retiring as professionals.
“The aim is to play games and run parallel events in different places around the world.”
Barca’s first-team will also be in Israel this summer, with a friendly game against Beitar Jerusalem at Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium on August 4 pencilled into their pre-season schedule.
Featured Image Credit: PA Images, Stadium DB & FootyRenders