Stars to play for Interreligious Peace
An interreligious football game aiming to unite fans and players from various faiths around the world is set to kick off September 1, Monday, at Stadio Olimpico in Rome, the Vatican Radio reports.
The event, endorsed by Pope Francis, will feature 50 retired and current football stars, including Turkish central midfielder from Fenerbahce Emre Belozoglu, Arsenal's German star Mesut Ozil, Galatasaray's Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, Argentine powerhouse of Barcelona Lionel Messi, Italian goalkeeper from Juventus Gianluigi Buffon, former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o, AC Milan's ex-forward Andriy Shevchenko from Ukraine and Italian football's former stars Roberto Baggio and Filippo Inzaghi.
The teams will be managed by the Argentine national team's head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino and Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger.
It is reported that the revenue of the game will be donated to a school project which will benefit thousands of children and infants in Buenos Aires.
One of the organizers of the event, Italian Serie A club Inter's iconic player and current vice chairman Javier Zanetti said he was proud for participating in organizing the match.
"I think the fact that so many stars have joined in can help professional football support peace. Although the game is raising money for charitable purposes, the most important thing we want to do is spread the Pope's message of peace to the world," added Argentine Zanetti.
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