Internet Desk: The galaxy of superstars and legends of world football took their precious time out of their busy schedules to be a part of a grassroots development event for the local kids and played in a small, feel-good tournament made up of teams from FIFA, the six confederations and the Bahrain Football Association as a whole.
The legends like Ronaldinho Gaucho, Diego Maradona, Cafu and David Trezeguet showed their crazy skills with a lucky group of youngsters at the Bahrain National Stadium.
After the warm-up, eight co-ed squads took part in a mini-tournament in front of an excited crowd with the subject of ‘football and inclusion’ at the forefront.
‘Men, women, legends, all confederations, all of us on a football pitch. That’s the message: football unites people,’ said former Real Madrid and Spain international Michel Salgado, who was a member of one of the teams.
‘We are here to unite and play against racism, discrimination and in favour of women’s football. Those are the messages.’
At the end of the competition it was the host Bahraini team, including local legend Talal Youssef and Pablo Aimar, that were handed the trophy by FIFA president Gianni Infantino after beating team UEFA in the final. The team from CAF took the bronze medal on penalties.
‘This is the best day for me, being able to play football again like this. For those of us who made their living in football, there is nothing better,’ said Zvonimir Boban, former AC Milan and Croatia star and current FIFA Deputy Secretary General.