A star-studded line-up of 28 former football stars will take part in the four-match Global Legends Series (GLS) which will kick off at Bangkok's Rajamangala National Stadium on Dec 5 to celebrate His Majesty the King's birthday, organisers announced yesterday.
From left, Fabio Cannavaro, Patrick Kluivert and Michael Owen.
The players will be divided into two teams led by Fabio Cannavaro, who captained Italy to the 2006 World Cup title and who is co-founder of the event.
The other participants include Michael Owen, Marco Materazzi, Jari Litmanen, Hidetoshi Nakata, Steve McManaman, Patrick Kluivert, Luis Figo, Ronald de Boer, Andriy Shevchenko, Cafu and Alessandro Nesta.
Thai players Datsakorn Thonglao and Therdsak Chaiman have been invited to join the match.
Former English Premier League referee Howerd Webb will officiate the match.
Tickets from 500-3,000 baht are available at Thai Ticket Major outlets. For more information visit glsfootball.com or facebook.com/glsbangkok.
Meanwhile, FC Tokyo are eyeing an ambitious swoop on Barcelona and Spain great Xavi Hernandez, joining a list of suitors thought to include Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
The Japanese outfit has begun making overtures to the World Cup-winning midfielder via intermediaries, the Nikkan Sports said.
FC Tokyo, currently seventh in the 18-team J-League first division, have yet to make an official offer for 34-year-old Xavi, with a team official telling the daily that no formal decision has been made.
The newspaper said money remained a huge question, with deep-pocketed European and Middle Eastern clubs also reportedly interested in Xavi, who last month broke the record for the most appearances in the Champions League.