A lineup of Barca Legends, former FC Barcelona soccer greats, arrived in Israel today, ahead of two matches this week against veteran Israeli players from Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa.
Tomorrow evening, at Bloomfield Stadium, the stars will go up against Maccabi Tel Aviv, whose team will feature former captains Avi Nimni and Tal Ben-Haim.
The Barca Legends team includes Brazilian ace Rivaldo Ferreira, one of the top goal-scorers in the team’s history, and former forward for the team Javier Saviola.
“My expectations are high, but I have to lower them because what everyone wants and expects from us is not what will happen,” Nimni said at the team’s press conference in Tel Aviv’s Carlton Hotel, where the athletes are staying ahead of their first match.
When asked whether he is the “Israeli Rivaldo,” Nimni quipped that such a statement is “flattering for me, but sad for him.”
“All of us retired years ago, but we don’t like to lose any game, just like Maccabi Tel Aviv doesn’t like to lose. We will go on the field to win,” said Rivaldo.
After playing Tel Aviv, the handful of stars will move up the coast to face off against Maccabi Haifa on Thursday and close out their stay in Israel.
Barcelona legend Thierry Henry, who helped win the club its historic treble in 2010, was initially expected to participate in the two games, but has since dropped the visit to focus on coaching the French U21 team.
Responsibly covering this tumultuous time
As The Times of Israel’s political correspondent, I spend my days in the Knesset trenches, speaking with politicians and advisers to understand their plans, goals and motivations.
I'm proud of our coverage of this government's plans to overhaul the judiciary, including the political and social discontent that underpins the proposed changes and the intense public backlash against the shakeup.
Your support through The Times of Israel Community helps us continue to keep readers across the world properly informed during this tumultuous time. Have you appreciated our coverage in past months? If so, please join the ToI Community today.
~ Carrie Keller-Lynn, Political Correspondent
Yes, I'll join
Yes, I'll join
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel eleven years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this