Retired Real Madrid soccer stars trounce FC Barcelona in Tel Aviv
Exhibition game, ‘El Clásico of Peace,’ featured legendary players from opposing Spanish clubs; game ends with 3-2 victory for Madrid
Retired players from Spanish soccer league rivals FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF delighted fans in Tel Aviv on Tuesday with an exhibition game held at the city’s Bloomfield Stadium.
Thousands of soccer fans were on hand to watch Real Madrid defeat Barcelona 3-2.
Among the former stars who played were Brazilians Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Deco, Javier Saviola, Ronald de Boer for FC Barcelona, and Luís Figo, Roberto Carlos, Ivan Campo and Alfonso for Real Madrid.
The match was picked up by Spanish and international media outlets, spotlighting Ronaldinho, who is 41.
His club, Barcelona FC, tweeted a photo of Ronaldinho hugging a young fan at the game with the message “Beloved around the world” as well as a short video showing highlights from the 90 minutes of play.
[HIGHLIGHTS] ????
Las ???????????????????????????? imágenes del partido entre Barça Legends y Real Madrid ????
¡Disfruta de los 5️⃣ goles! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/zZ79v6LudI
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) July 21, 2021
The official UEFA Champions League Twitter account, which has 35 million followers, also posted a photo from the game.
#ElClásico legends reunited ????????
????: @10Ronaldinho #UCL pic.twitter.com/hav6v8AqE9
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) July 21, 2021
Games between the opposing Spanish powerhouse clubs are usually referred to as “El Clásico” and the clash between the two teams of legendary players in Tel Aviv was called “El Clásico of Peace.”
Earlier Tuesday, the two teams toured the neighboring port city of Jaffa.
