Not only the players but also the referee was recruited as a 'legend.' 'Alien referee' Pierluigi Collina took the whistle for the 2025 iKON Match.
'FC Spear (forwards team)' and 'Shield United (defenders team)' are facing each other in '2025 iKON Match: the return of creativity, the beginning of the counterattack' at 7:30 p.m. on the 14th at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
The iKON Match is now a mega soccer event where legends who have hung up their boots put on an unusual show in Korea. It was launched last year hosted by Nexon, and returned this year thanks to strong popularity. Last year, Shield United thrashed FC Spear 4-1.
FC Spear aiming for revenge. The team led by manager Arsène Wenger started Thierry Henry, Park Ji-sung, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Kaká, Gareth Bale, Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney, Ronaldinho, Clarence Seedorf, Steven Gerrard and Gianluigi Buffon (GK).
Shield United, led by manager Rafael Benítez, first sent out Michael Carrick, Nemanja Vidić, Alessandro Nesta, Maicon, Claudio Marchisio, John Arne Riise, Carles Puyol, Rio Ferdinand, Claude Makélélé, Ashley Cole and Iker Casillas (GK).
It is literally a 'dream lineup.' Park Ji-sung and Rooney are playing together again, while on the opposite side Ferdinand, Vidić and Carrick, who led Man U's golden era together, are defending. Liverpool natives Gerrard and Riise also meet on opposing sides. Former manager Cha Bum-kun added to the excitement by lifting the 'Spear' that symbolizes the iKON Match.
Another surprise face also appeared: legendary Italian referee Collina. He also served as the referee for the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup final. When Collina, who retired 20 years ago, entered the stadium wearing a referee's uniform, tremendous cheers erupted. The players smiled in astonishment.
Meanwhile, the 60,000 spectators filling the stadium watched every move of the legends. Since many of the players left the pitch long ago, the flow was not intensely competitive, but it was enough to elicit fans' exclamations. Whenever Park Ji-sung touched the ball, or when 'the alien' Ronaldinho started a dribble, the stands stirred.
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