Florentino Perez: "Football has to transmit values of solidarity like those of Real Madrid and AC Milan"

Cristina Monge / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium will be the venue for the charitable 30 May Corazon Classic Match 2010 (Classic Match for the Heart 2010). The fixture is an initiative of the Real Madrid Foundation, supported by the Spanish Olympic Committee (SOC) and the Government of Madrid. Legendary Real Madrid and AC Milan players will come face to face to fight the curse of sudden death that affects the world of sport. Zidane, Figo, McManaman, Butragueño, Karembeu, Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta and many others will thrill fans at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The presentation of the match began in the Trophy Room of the White Colosseum, which houses the nine European Cups won by the Club, as well as countless other trophies. Real Madrid and Milan are the most successful football clubs in Europe, with 16 European Cup titles between them. Legends such as Paco Buyo, Amancio Amaro and Ricardo Gallego met during the act to "remember those glorious years" at the stadium. Amancio -now coach of the veterans' team- explained how the team he was part of in the 1960s won the Club's sixth European Cup against Partizan thanks to a great goal of his.

SOC President Alejandro Blanco and the Vice-President of the Government of Madrid, Ignacio Gonzalez, joined the presentation in the trophy Room before all attendning travelled by metro to Chamartin Train Station, where the act continued. A small football pitch was laid out at the station's lobby for a group of children from the Under-8 side to play a game wearing the shirts of both clubs.



President Florentino Perez, Board Members Manuel Cerezo and Luis Gomez Montejano, and Emilio Butragueño watched the match. It ended with a penalty sootout in which the children were given the chance to defeat legendary goalkeeper Paco Buyo. Even Ricardo Gallego tried to defeat the goalie. The former player was visibly excited about the whole affair, saying, "Real Madrid gives us the chance to play at a sanctuary like the Bernabeu once more. We will revert to being children again on Sunday, playing at the stadium where we spent the happiest days of our lives."


Amancio Amaro announced the squad lists for the match. "This game represents a great victory," he said, "We've already sold 55,000 tickets." His announcement was followed by speeches made by the notables present at the act.

Alejandro Blanco
"I wish to especially thank this great President, Florentino Perez, because thanks to his help we will be able to help sport through a genetic study."

Ignacio Gonzalez
"Sudden death affects many sportsmen; 35,000 sudden deaths occur every year. The Government of Madrid wishes to invest in research, technical equipment and public awareness."



Florentino Perez
"Football should serve as means to bring people together. This will be a very special match between two clubs that have a great friendship. This sport embodies passion, feeling, and history, but more than anything,  it has to transmit values of solidarity like those of Real Madrid and AC Milan. The final score will not be paramount in this fixture. It will make histroy and will give children the chance to see legendary players in action again."
SQUAD LISTS:

REAL MADRID (Coaching Staff: Amancio, Michel, Martin Vazquez): Buyo, Contreras, Jaro, Chendo, Velasco, Rojas, Sanchis, Ramis, Fernando Sanz, Helguera, Sabido, Oscar Rubio, Garcia Cortes, Julio Llorente, Figo, McManaman, Victor, Gallego, Zidane, Karembeu, Ivan Perez, Santillana, Butragueño, Amavisca, Dani, Alfonso.

AC MILAN (Coaching Staff: Donadoni, Lorenzini): Sebastiano Rossi, Simone Braglia, Baresi, Costacurta, Maldini, Filipo Galli, Panucci, Angelo Carbone, Diego Fuser, Stefano Eranio, Lentini, Rui Costa, Boban, Marco Simone, Massaro, Evani, Albanese, Stefano Nava, Papin, Weah, Cafu, Serginho.