Conmebol held a match of legends in Florida (USA) in which figures such as Ronaldinho, Carlos Valderrama and Iván Zamorano participated, between laughter and hugs.
José Pekerman, who won three U-20 World Cups directing Argentina’s national team, managed the team that won 2-1 champions, Tango, which included stratospheric stars such as Sergio ‘Kun’ Agüero , Gonzalo Higuaín and the aforementioned Valderrama.
Francisco ‘Pacho’ Maturana, who won the 2001 Copa América with Colombia, led the Samba team with Ronaldinho, Lucio, Dida, Zamorano and Jorge Campos, among other legends.
The match started in the stands of the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, the stadium where Leo Messi’s Inter Miami play, at a third of capacity and after the referees took ‘selfies’ with the players.
The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, also put on his boots and had a chance to score in the first minutes of the match with a shot that sailed low in front of the goal.
Carlos Daniel Tapia, the legendary Argentine midfielder for River Plate and Boca Juniors and 1986 world champion, played a few minutes before being replaced by athletics star Usain Bolt, who participated as a guest in Pekerman’s team with the number 9.58 as a tribute to his historic 100 meter world record.
The Jamaican, eight-time Olympic gold medalist, touched the ball several times without losing his dignity.
When Tapia was replaced, a journalist on the field asked him if he was injured, to which ‘Carlitos’ jokingly replied: “Since birth.”
Valderrama, at the age of 62, safely fired a free kick into the goal on the edge of the area after a friendly threat from four teammates. ‘El Pibe’ Valderrama played long minutes holding his own.
In the 40th minute, the referee whistled for Ronaldinho, which the Brazilian sent into the net.
Higuaín pressed from all sides, with long shots and long midfield runs, until at the start of the second half he was awarded a penalty.
The former Real Madrid and Albiceleste player scored to tie the match and then added another goal in the 52nd minute, also from a penalty.
For his part, Ronaldinho and his famous smile infected the other players in a friendly match where everyone had fun.
The legend of Barcelona and Brazil inspired his teammates and Olympic Mexican defender Carlos Salcido made a fantasy pass looking the other way that many active football players would like to do.
Zamorano also stood out, as the Chilean icon and Madrid striker of the 90s withstood the push for most of the game and had the crowd on the verge of jumping out of their seats several times.
The legendary Mexican goalkeeper Jorge Campos, remembered for his eccentricities that left the area, came on a few minutes before the end of the game in the 78th minute without further explanation.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
