Tevez, Di Maria to be seen alongside Messi in Kolkata friendly
June 6th, 2011 - 9:43 pm ICT by IANSKolkata, June 6 (IANS) Star soccer players like Carlos Tevez, Angelo Di Maria and Xavier Mascherano, along with Lionel Messi, will be seen in action in a FIFA international friendly match at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium Sep 2, a sports management group said here Monday.
“Its official that the national team of Argentina will take on the national team of Venezuela in a FIFA international friendly match at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on September 2. The motto of this match is not only to establish India as a destination on the World Football Map, but at the same time attract the youngsters of our country towards the game,” said Bhaswar Goswami, executive director, Celebrity Management Group
(CMG).
Lionel Messi, adjudged 2010 FIFA Ballon d’Or, would be a part of the squad that would play against the national team of Venezuela.
“We will shortly announce the ticket distribution plan. Tickets can be purchased online from any part of India,” said Dharamdutt Pandey, another official of CMG.
Speaking on the occasion, West Bengal Sports Minister Madan Mitra said that the state government will extend all support for the smooth conduct of the match and will also renovate the Salt Lake Stadium for the most-anticipated sports event of the year.
The visit of the Argentine team will be the latest addition to a host of football celebrities and sides which have visited this soccer-loving city of a cricket-crazy India in recent years.
Last year, Uruguayan star footballer Diego Forlan - the golden ball winner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup - spent two days in the city for a promotional programme.
Brazillian star Zico had come as the coach of Japan’s national side for a pre-World Cup game, while Cameroon’s Roger Milla - adjudged the best African player of the 1990s - played an exhibition match months after his sparkling performance at the 1990 World Cup.
Kolkata has also hosted legendary footballers like Diego Maradona, Lothar Matthaus, Oliver Kahn, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Gerd Muller, Romario and Branco.
It all started with Brazilian football legend Pele’s trip to the city as a member of the Cosmos football club in 1977.
The Argentines will also play Nigeria Sept 6 in Dhaka.
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- Sourav invited for Messi match - Aug 28, 2011
- Dutch star Ruud Gullit arrives in Kolkata - Jul 28, 2012
- Nivia football to be used in Messi match, 42,000 tickets sold - Aug 28, 2011
- Argentina arrive sans Messi for Sep 2 friendly - Aug 29, 2011
- Get stadium ready or miss Messi magic, says minister - May 25, 2011
- Ranbir to watch Messi in action in Kolkata - Aug 20, 2011
- Brazil fans turning Argentines courtesy Messi-magic - Sep 02, 2011
- India to tap Argentina for technical assistance in football - Aug 11, 2011
- Higuain, di Maria reach Kolkata, countdown begins for Messi - Aug 31, 2011
- Argentinian stars have a long affair with Kolkata - Sep 01, 2011
- Messi better than Beckham in most parts of games: Sabella - Sep 03, 2011
- India trip a memorable one: Argentine coach - Aug 31, 2011
- It is a dream come true to coach Argentina: Sabella - Aug 31, 2011
- Messi mania draws sports lovers, Bollywood stars, tycoons - Aug 22, 2011
Tags: ball winner, carlos tevez, celebrity management, diego maradona, distribution plan, fifa world cup, footballers, friendly match, lionel messi, lothar matthaus, madan, smooth conduct, sports event, sports management group, star soccer players, ticket distribution, west bengal, world cup game, world football, zico