Exciting Legends Exhibition Match Coming to Dubai
Football enthusiasts in Dubai are gearing up for an exhilarating event as some of the most celebrated legends in football prepare to grace the city for a spectacular exhibition match later this year. The upcoming match, featuring FIFA World Cup champions, UEFA Champions League winners, and league title holders, will compete for the prestigious King’s Cup at the iconic Al Maktoum Stadium, home to UAE Pro League team Al Nasr.
Taking place on Monday, November 30, this thrilling encounter will showcase renowned football icons such as Brazilian superstar Roberto Carlos, Chelsea legend John Terry, and Champions League victor Edgar Davids. Additionally, fans will witness the return of Paul Pogba, the Juventus and France international, who is currently contesting a long-term ban that he received in March.
Pogba, celebrated as one of the most talented midfielders of his generation, previously made headlines for his record-breaking transfer to Manchester United in 2016. In a unique twist for this charity match, both Pogba and Roberto Carlos will don a special “King’s Guard” jersey, introducing an exciting dynamic to the game. This special shirt allows each player to participate for 15 minutes per half while exempting them from yellow and red cards, and they will not be flagged offside. Moreover, during their time on the pitch, their teams can play with an additional player, making for an entertaining spectacle.
Notably, Pogba’s shirt will not feature a name or number, emphasizing the charitable nature of the event. Ticketing information is set to be announced as the date approaches, and fans can anticipate a thrilling atmosphere at Al Maktoum Stadium, located in the vibrant Oud Metha area of Dubai.
The match will see a team representing Sheikh Khalifa bin Saeed bin Maktoum, known as the King’s XI, captained by the legendary Dutch footballer Edgar Davids. Opposing them will be a team led by the esteemed English defender John Terry, representing finance firm Hedge & Sachs. Additionally, fans can expect the towering presence of Marouane Fellaini, a former Manchester United and Belgium player, adding to the excitement of set pieces during the match.
The following football stars are expected to participate in this highly anticipated exhibition match:
- Paul Pogba (Juventus and France midfielder, formerly of Manchester United)
- Roberto Carlos (Former Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Brazil defender)
- John Terry (Former Chelsea and England defender)
- Marouane Fellaini (Former Everton, Manchester United, Shandong and Belgium midfielder)
- Michael Owen (Former Liverpool, Real Madrid, Manchester United and England striker)
- Paul Scholes (Former Manchester United and England midfielder)
- Blaise Matuidi (Former Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and France midfielder)
- Emmanuel Adebayor (Former Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham, Real Madrid and Togo striker)
- Jay-Jay Okocha (Former Fenerbahçe, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers and Nigeria midfielder)
Full team line-ups and additional details will be confirmed in the coming weeks, so be sure to stay tuned to Time Out Dubai for the latest updates. This marks the third consecutive year for a legends match to take place in Dubai, following previous matches featuring Manchester United against Leicester City in 2022 and a World XI in 2023.
As anticipation builds, John Terry, a frequent visitor to Dubai, expressed his excitement for the match, stating, “I have been a regular to Dubai with my family for the past two decades now. I am proud that I am still maintaining my fitness through my work as a coach. I will be ready for this match and play with the same enthusiasm, especially since the colour of my team’s shirt will be blue, a kind reminder of my Chelsea shirt that I defended for so many years.”
In response, Edgar Davids promised an engaging and competitive environment, saying, “We promise that we will present a match that will please the fans. It is our aim to give the supporters the opportunity to enjoy a truly competitive match.”
Ticket details TBC. Mon Nov 30. Al Maktoum Stadium, Oud Metha.
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