Clarence Seedorf and Robert Pirès join Soccer Aid World XI team alongside previously announced team mates Usain Bolt and Gordon Ramsay.
Clarence Seedorf, a four-time UEFA Champions League Winner, and Robert Pirès, a lynchpin of Arsenal’s 2003/04 ‘Invincibles’ team, today announced that they will take part in the Soccer Aid for Unicef match at Old Trafford, in June, this Summer.
Former AC Milan and Real Madrid legend Seedorf returns to the Soccer Aid for Unicef World XI line-up having last appeared in 2014. The Dutchman famously scored a hattrick as his side beat England 4-2 – the last time England tasted defeat in the match.
Pirès, who won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000 with France, will make his Soccer Aid for Unicef debut. The Arsenal legend joins a team with that already boasts Usain Bolt and Gordon Ramsay in its ranks with more star names to be announced in the coming weeks.
Clarence Seedorf, Soccer Aid World XI, said: “I’m back! The last time I played, in 2014, not only did I score a hattrick but the Soccer Aid for World XI lifted the trophy. I haven’t been involved since then and England have won, so what does that tell you?! This is always a game that I look forward to and I think our team is already looking stronger than ever – we want to win again! Most importantly Soccer Aid for Unicef helps children worldwide and that is why I’m only too happy to lend my support.”
Robert Pirès, Soccer Aid World XI, said: “This is going to be a really special game, so it was very easy to say yes to taking part. Looking at our team, I think we’ve got a great chance and I know that there are more big names to come. I’ve got some great memories of playing at Old Trafford from my Arsenal days, so I hope to see lots of supporters coming out to watch us and to raise money for a great cause.”
Over the coming weeks, the England vs. Soccer Aid World XI rivalry is set to intensify further, with some of football’s biggest legends and celebrities set to join Gordon Ramsay, Usain Bolt, Mo Farah, Robbie Williams and now Clarence Seedorf and Robert Pirès in the growing line-ups.
The international friendly match will take place at Old Trafford on Sunday 10th June, just four days before the FIFA World Cup in Russia begins. Tickets are on sale now and the game will be broadcast live on ITV. Kick-off scheduled for 20:00 BST.
Soccer Aid for Unicef is the original England vs. Soccer Aid World XI charity match. It was launched and co-founded in 2006 by Unicef UK Ambassador Robbie Williams and Jonathan Wilkes, and has previously featured A-list stars such as Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, Mike Myers and Niall Horan, plus footballing royalty including Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Ronaldinho. Soccer Aid for Unicef 2018 is set to be bigger and better than ever.
Unicef, the world’s leading organisation for children, has joined forces with ITV to make the pro-celebrity football match bigger and better than ever, with more potential to raise money and vital support for children in danger. Soccer Aid for Unicef is produced by Initial, part of Endemol Shine UK, for ITV.
100% of all public donations to Soccer Aid for Unicef will go towards supporting the vital work protecting children in the UK and globally. The money raised through profits from ticket sales and viewer donations during the match will add to the incredible £24 million that has already been raised through Soccer Aid over the last 12 years.
Swiss watchmaker Hublot and Global Sports Brand PUMA are Official Soccer Aid World XI Partners, with both brands acting as kit sponsors for the Soccer Aid World XI team.
Tickets for the Soccer Aid for Unicef football match on Sunday 10th June 2018 at Old Trafford are available now at www.manutd.com/socceraid or by calling 0161 444 2018 with tickets priced between £10 and £50.
Visit socceraid.org.uk to find out more and follow @SoccerAid on Twitter and Instagram, ‘Soccer Aid’ on Facebook and use the hashtag #SoccerAid for regular player and match updates.
