Dubai: Italian maestros Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, Franco Baresi and Paolo Di Canio are all headed for Dubai to take part in next month's Emirates Airline Dubai Football 7s as part of an AC Milan legends side.
Milan will join the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Celtic and Rangers in the legends tournament, which will see some of the biggest names in football competing at 7he Sevens from March 11 to 13.
Maldini, the former AC Milan captain who spent his entire career an incredible 25 seasons with the club, will head an impressive line-up of stars in the Italian side.
"It is very exciting to be going back to Dubai. My team-mates and I are really looking forward to playing together again and taking on some greats of the game next month. I have no doubt it will be a great show," said the recently retired Maldini, who has already played at 7he Sevens having been part of the AC Milan side that took on Hamburg FC in the 2009 Dubai Football Challenge.
Also part of the AC Milan legends line-up will be Costacurta who won the Scudetto seven times with Milan and represented Italy in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.
Joining them will be the superbly talented midfielder Di Canio and Baresi, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders to have played the game.
High demand
"We are thrilled that AC Milan have confirmed their participation in the legends tournament at the Emirates Airline Dubai Football 7s," said Mohammad Mattar — Emirates' divisional senior vice president airport services.
"Demand for places in the tournament has been exceptionally high and that is why we are pleased to accommodate such a great side by adding an additional two places to the legends tournament, bringing the total number to eight," added Mattar.
"In addition to this we also have eight professional sides and over 300 amateur teams all participating in what promises to be a true festival of football a real family event."
Line-up
Franco Baresi, Simone Braglia (goalkeeper), Angelo Carbone, Alessandro Costacurta, Paolo Di Canio, Stefano Eranio, Paolo Maldini, Daniele Massaro, Marco Simone and Pietro Vierchowod.
Ticket sales
Tickets for the tournament are available from: Go Sport, Virgin, selected Costa and MMI and Choithram outlets, Worldmart, Emirates headquarters, Dnata Travel Centre and 7he Sevens venue itself. They can also be purchased online and by calling Ticketline on 8004669.
