Former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro yesterday announced the launch of the Global Legends Series (GLS) in Kuala Lumpur.
Fabio Cannavaro, Patrick Kluivert and Michael Owen at yesterday's launch.
GLS co-founder Cannavaro, who was accompanied by former England international Michael Owen and former Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert, has assembled over 30 legendary players to compete in a series of matches which start at Bangkok's Rajamangala National Stadium on Dec 5 before moving to China, Japan and Malaysia in 2015.
Japanese Hidetoshi Nakata, Portugal's Luis Figo and Ukraine's Andriy Shevchenko will also take part in the series.
The players are those who have won the World Cup, European Championship or Champions League or have played more than 50 times for their countries.
While giving fans the opportunity to see their idols in action once again, the games will also help raise awareness for the GLS charities of choice and focus on fund raising and youth development in the countries visited.
"We want to develop a brand where we can play and allow football fans to see their icons play again,'' said Cannavaro, who captained the 2006 World Cup-winning Italy side.
"I also want to do more and that is to leave a legacy wherever we play."
Dato's Alex Soosay, general-sectrary of the Asian Football Confederation, said the footballing legends in the series are important to Asia not only because they will be helping further promote football in the region, but also because they have offered to play a major role in its future development.