'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Former England captain David Beckham is set to return to Old Trafford to participate in a charity event in November, according to BBC. The Manchester United legend will lead a Great Britain and Ireland star XI against a World XI captained by former Real Madrid teammate Zinedine Zidane and managed by former AC Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti. Former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has been roped in to manage the Great Britain and Ireland XI.
The 40-year-old Beckham is a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, which is the world’s largest children’s welfare organisation. David and Zinedine will be joined by some of football’s biggest names to play in an all-star line-up in the 'Match for Children.' Money raised through profits from ticket sales and donations made on matchday will go to UNICEF to help protect the world’s most ill-protected children.
Beckham has revealed that he personally requested the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson to manage Great Britain and Ireland XI. Ferguson, 73, retired in 2013, having won an incredible 38 trophies during his 26 years in charge at Old Trafford including 13 Premier League titles. Carlo Ancelotti has also had a glittering career as both a player and manager, and last year, he became the first man to win the Champions League twice as a player and three times as a manager.
Charity match is to raise awareness: Beckham
“Everyone knows I retired three years ago and I never thought I'd be getting my boots out again and playing” said Beckham.
“Football is such a powerful tool and to have Zidane on the field, Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti in the stands, I think people are going to love it.”
He also added: “This match gives me the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and vital funds to help reach the children who need it most.”
Legendary Italian referee, Pierluigi Collina who was named FIFA’s ‘Best Referee of the Year’ for six consecutive years during a renowned career, has been chosen to referee the match.
During the span of his illustrious career, Beckham has played for some of the biggest clubs in world football including Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Paris St Germain and Los Angeles Galaxy winning a staggering 19 major trophies. He has made 115 appearances for the English national team and has been their highest capped outfield player.
France Legend Zidane is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Three times FIFA World Player of the Year, he famously scored twice in the 1998 World Cup final to help France lift the world cup thrashing favourites Brazil.
