Testimonial football matches bring together some of the best players in world football.
It doesn’t matter what decade we’re talking about – if there’s a famous footballer getting ready for a farewell match or a club testimonial to celebrate a long-serving player or the approaching of the end of a career, there will always be star-studded line-ups on show
In many ways, they are the most luxurious of matches – an excuse to favour flair over tactics and big reputations over form. They are fun and full of trickery – and usually chock-full of goals.
So, let’s take a look at some which featured a plethora of insanely talented footballers.
#5 Carrick testimonial
Most recently, jaws across the globe dropped at the sight of Michael Carrick’s testimonial.
Pitting Manchester United ‘08 XI against Carrick’s All-Stars, there were more stars on the day’s teamsheet than there were in the sky later that evening.
No doubt, the sight of such a talented Red Devils side gave many a United fan a shot of nostalgia as some quality football was put on show in a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.
Clarence Seedorf stole the show with a masterful performance from midfield, Carrick himself got on the scoresheet and Sir Alex Ferguson did not disappoint with his pre-match team-talk.
On show for both sides were the likes of Paul Scholes, Dimitar Berbatov, Damien Duff and Jamie Carragher as a packed-out stadium saw plenty of big names roll back the years with outrageous skill, great goals and a free-flowing game.
The clash was played in aid of the Michael Carrick foundation and raised a huge sum of cash for a great cause – so, all in all, not a bad afternoon for the fans, the main man himself and everyone involved.
#4 Maradona’s farewell
Four years after Diego Maradona hung up his boots, the Argentine legend took to the pitch one last time for a farewell match between Argentina XI and a Rest of World XI.
It did not disappoint.
The 1986 World Cup winner, who single-handedly gave his national team the biggest honour in world football, took to the pitch alongside some veritable legends including Javier Zanetti, Juan Sebastian Veron, Eric Cantona, Juan Roman Riquelme and Hristo Stoichkov.
At one point in the game, after netting a penalty, Maradona tore off his shirt to reveal a Boca Juniors jersey underneath and played much of the match in it.
It was the perfect send-off for one of the game’s greats and although it was a bittersweet occasion to see the ‘Hand of God’ legend depart the field at the end of the match, it was a pleasure for the 50,000 spectators at Bombonera Stadium to see him in action.
See the full lineups from the day here.
#3 Sir Stanley Matthews testimonial
Perhaps one of the greatest-ever lineups for a testimonial was when a Stanley Matthews XI took on an international XI back in April 1965. Packed full of stars, some of the football’s greatest-ever players turned out to feature alongside, and against, the England legend at Victoria Stadium.
Although Matthews persisted with the beautiful game on a semi-competitive level for another few years afterwards, this was essentially the last big hurrah for him.
Take a look at the insane teamsheets from the matchday programme back then:
Lev Yashin, Eusebio, Alfredo di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas on the one team, against Denis Law, Jimmy Greaves, Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore on the other – an almost unimaginably talented array of skilful performers.
According to legend, over 100 million viewers tuned into the match on television and while that might be hard to verify, the more modest 35,000 at the ground on the day, a packed out venue, certainly attests to how loved a player he was.
Plus, considering how many veritable maestros turned up, with Yashin and Puskas carrying him off the field on their shoulders, it’s undeniable how respected Matthews was.
#2 Deco’s testimonial
Back in July 2014, Deco lined out for his testimonial match, and there were so many stars on show, astronomers would have felt right at home spectating. A Porto 2004 XI squared up to a Barcelona 2006 XI as the two teams played out a thrilling, goal-filled 4-4 draw at the Estadio de Dragao in Porto.
The man of the moment himself got on the scoresheet with a delectable lob to cap a fine performance.
Stealing the show, however, was Lionel Messi who came on as a substitute – playing in his first match following the Brazil World Cup, the Argentine maestro scored a rare header as well as laying on an assist for fellow sub Samuel Eto’o.
It was a fitting tribute for Deco who played either half for Porto and Barca. To have so many big names congregate to join in celebration and tribute of a career which saw him win 23 major honours with four different clubs.
Starting Porto XI: Baia, Ferreira, Costa, Emanuel, Valente, Costinha, Maniche, Mendes, Derlei, McCarthy
Starting Barcelona XI: Jorquera, Oleguer, Belletti, Gerard, Sylvinho, Davids, Van Bommel, Van Bronckhorst, Giuly, Ezquerro, Gudjohnsen.
#1 Gheorghe Hagi testimonial
A phenomenal player, Gheorghe Hagi won 19 major club honours and also played a starring role in Romania’s run to the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup as well as featuring in the ‘90 and ‘98 editions.
So, it’s little wonder his testimonial match drew so many amazing players to the field.
Despite his often recalcitrant nature and sometimes emotional nature that drew red cards, suspensions and the attentions of referees for the wrong reasons, underneath it all Hagi was a remarkable technician, a magnificent goal-scorer and a phenomenal talent.
For Romania, he netted 35 times in 124 caps and over 250 club goals.
Emilio Butragueno, Hugo Sanchez, Dunga, Ronald Koeman and Dejan Savicevic were all in attendance for the clash which ended in a 2-2 draw between a Romania XI and a World XI on April 24, 2001.
