Here's why a host of FC Barcelona icons will descend upon Kolkata later this year.
Kolkata is set to witness a memorable game of football on September 28 this year with Legends of Mohun Bagan taking on FC Barcelona Legends at the Salt Lake Stadium.
The match, titled 'Clash of the Legends', will most likely feature a host of famous names from both the iconic clubs. For the Spanish side, Patrick Kluivert, Eric Abidal, Gianluca Zambrotta and Edgard Davids are some of the stalwarts who are expected to turn up. While former forward and captain Jose Ramirez Barreto will headline the home side.
“The histories of both the clubs date back to more than a century. FC Barcelona was founded in 1899 and our club was founded in 1889. Hence, we match each other in the legacy. It will be our honour to face a club that is rated among the topmost clubs in the world.
"We might not match them in terms of the heavyweight world cuppers and footballers they have, but we are no less in terms of the rich football history we have. We thank the Sports Department, Government of West Bengal for their support in this venture,” Anjan Mitra, Honorary Secretary of Mohun Bagan, said at a press conference on Sunday.
This isn't the first time India is hosting legends of the game on its turf. In the past, Bayern Munich, Santos, and Cosmos played friendly games in India. Kolkata also hosted an international friendly between Lionel Messi's Argentina and Venezuela back in 2011.
Premier Futsal is a tournament that has brought several big names to India. The likes of Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, Manchester United icons Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, and former Portugal captain Luis Figo have featured in the five-a-side tournament. Figo, though, recently parted ways with Premier Futsal, terming it a 'complete failure'.
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