Barcelona vs Real Madrid El Clasico legends match announced with Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo & Figo playing
A HOST of icons are set to return to the pitch tonight for an El Clasico legends match between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Brazilian heroes Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos and Rivaldo will all pull on their boots for the mouthwatering showdown.
And controversial Luis Figo, who famously went from hero to zero after leaving the Nou Camp for the Bernabeu in 2000, is also playing.
The two teams will square-off in Israel on July 20 at Tel Aviv’s Bloomfield Stadium.
The Barcelona legends squad will arrive in the capital on July 18 with Real Madrid’s squad landing a day later, according to the .
And it will come just weeks before Barcelona’s current squad heads to Israel for a pre-season game against Beitar Jerusalem at Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium on August 4.
Barcelona have confirmed a host of former big guns will be in action in a side managed by their former defender Albert Ferrer, who also played for Chelsea.
As well as Ronaldinho and Rivaldo, Deco, Jon Andoni Goikoetxea, Miquel Soler, Guillermo Amor, Gaizka Mendieta, Javier Saviola, Ronald de Boer, Juan Carlos Rodríguez, Frederic Dehu, Samuel Okunowo and Jesus Mariano Angoy have also signed up.
A statement from the LaLiga giants 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.
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BARCELONA vs REAL MADRID
Here are the list of legends confirmed for the July 20 showdown:
Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Deco, Jon Andoni Goikoetxea, Miquel Soler, Guillermo Amor, Gaizka Mendieta, Javier Saviola, Ronald de Boer, Juan Carlos Rodríguez, Frederic Dehu, Samuel Okunowo, Jesus Mariano Angoy
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“The aim is to play games and run parallel events in different places around the world.”
Ronaldinho, 41, and Rivaldo are the two biggest names involved in the Barca squad.
The former helped them to win two domestic titles and the Champions League throughout his five-year stay after lifting the World Cup for his country in 2002.
The ex-Ballon d’Or winner’s former national teammate Rivaldo also earned icon status at the Nou Camp.
The midfielder, now 49, played for the club between 1997 and 2002.
He won the league twice and the Uefa Super Cup before departing for Milan but was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1999.
The full list of Madrid stars they will be up against has still to be confirmed but former full-back Carlos and Figo will both be involved.
Carlos spent 11 years at the Bernabeu and helped them win four championships plus three Champions League crowns.
But Figo may be in for a hot reception from his old team-mates.
He became a hated figure at Barcelona after he left them for their bitter rivals 21 years ago.
A fan even threw a pig’s head at him on one of his returns to the Nou Camp with Madrid.
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But he got over that and went on to help the Galacticos to lift two titles and the Champions League.
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