Football legends to wear No 9 for King's birthday
Thai soccer fans will feast their eyes on arguably the biggest-ever gathering of football greats when the inaugural Global Legends Series match kicks off in Bangkok next month.
Initiated by Italy’s World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, the GLS brings together an elite group of retired players who have wowed fans across the world with their subtle skills, to participate in a star-studded series.
The invite was limited to legends of the game who have won its biggest prizes – the World Cup and/or Uefa Champions League – or clinched personal top honours like the Ballon d’Or.
The glittering list of 30 talents headed by 41-year-old Cannavaro and former Portugal captain Luis Figo includes ex-Liverpool quartet Steve McManaman, Michel Owen, Patrik Berger and Vladimir Smicer, plus 2004 Ballon d’Or winner Andriy Shevchenko and his former AC Milan team-mate Alessandro Nesta.
The captains’ armbands will be thrown to Cannavaro and Figo for the match at Rajamangala National Stadium on December 5, the first leg of the GLS. The series will then move on to China, Japan and Malaysia next year. Bee Taechaubol, CEO of GLS partners Thai Prime, told a press conference at Bangkok’s Swisshotel Nai Lert Park yesterday that he wanted to bring the game to the country first in honour of His Majesty the King on the occasion of his birthday.
“We picked December 5 to stage the game as a tribute to the King. All the players will wear commemorative shirts with No 9 in Thai numerals emblazoned on the chest. They will also take part in a candle-lighting ceremony along with fans at the venue in honour of His Majesty.
“We also hope to inspire young Thais by giving away 5,000 tickets for the game to those aged under 18. We want to help develop Thai football as well, so we will host a clinic for youngsters from the youth teams of Thai Premier League clubs,” said Bee.
The organisers also unveiled two Thai players, Chonburi FC veteran Terdsak Jaiman and midfielder Datsakorn Thonglao from Muangthong United, as the lucky pair who will get the chance to play alongside the greats of the game.
Tickets priced Bt500 to Bt3000 go on sale from Friday at Thaiticketmajor. The first 100 fans to post a photo of their ticket at Facebook.com/glsbangkok will get to meet & greet the soccer heroes.
