The glorious and colourful footballing career of Adnan Al Talyani, the former UAE and Al Shaab Club captain, will come to an end tomorrow when some of the world's best footballers bid him goodbye during a dream festival testimonial to be played at the state-of-the-art Zayed Sports City Stadium.

Adnan's next career move has been decided. He has been selected to be a member of the Board of Directors of his club Al Shaab.

Tomorrow's testimonial sees Italian Serie A Champions Juventus face an international All Stars Team while Milene Domingues, the wife of Brazilian ace Ronaldo, will entertain the fans with her amazing ball control display during half-time.

All this and more is on offer for the UAE's soccer enthusiasts.

Adnan, who started his sporting career as a volleyball player with Al Shaab, was discovered by Iranian coach Hishmat Muhajirani in the early eighties and he took a short time to earn the respect and love of the fans with his rich talent and high sportsmanship. He was a brilliant striker and a gentleman.

Adnan's started his international career with the UAE youth team and he was soon promoted to the senior squad where he participated in a record four Asian Cup finals between 1984 to 1996, in which the UAE won silver medals.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of Al Wahda Club, who received the former star on Tuesday praised his contribution to the UAE.

"We, in the UAE, are proud with the standards of the game performed by Adnan while he was playing for his country and his club. He was a role model and many youngsters benefited from his talent," Sheikh Nahyan said.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qassimi, the President of Ras Al Khaimah Club, said that Adnan, 'was the star of stars.'

"He was loyal to his country and deserves honouring," he said.

Adnan said that he is overjoyed with the praise he has been receiving from the top sports officials in the UAE.

"It was not only the officials of my club, Al Shaab, who are keen for my testimonial match to be a success but officials from all clubs in the UAE. I was more of a UAE player than a club player and I am proud of the response," he said.

Tributes were also bestowed on Adnan from his former coaches.

Brazilian Carlos Alberto Periera, who coached the UAE for more than four years before leading his country to victory in the World Cup in 1994, said in a phone call to a local newspaper, that Adnan was an ideal footballer who always keen to learn and was patient and obeyed the instructions of the coaches.

"He could have played professional in Europe," Periera stressed."If anyone deserves a great testimonial match, it should be Adnan for the great guy he was on and off the field."

Croatian Tomislav Ivic, the coach who guided the UAE to runners-up in the 1996 Asian Cup, said upon arriving in Abu Dhabi to attend the testimonial match that Adnan was one of the best footballers he coached in his career.

"He was ideal in his obedience to his coaches, his love for the game and his loyalty to the colour of his country,"Ivic said." I am pleased to come to attend this outstanding festival to honour an outstanding player and I wish him success in his future life."

Meanwhile players of the All Stars Team started arriving in Abu Dhabi.

Argentinean striker Gabriel Omar Batistituta arrived together with Nigerian Taribo West, Austrian Andreas Herzog, Yugoslavians Waldimir Jogovic, Milan Milosovic, Nichola Novakovic and Marco Vijtrovic.

Egyptian captain Hani Ramzy, who plays in Germany with Kaiserslautern, arrived yesterday and expressed his pleasure to take part in honouring Al Talyani.
Unique player
"Adnan was a unique player and had good relations with all Arab players. He was always a gentleman and I hope that his testimonial match will be a great success," he said.

Turkey's Ozalan Alpay, who will replace Moroccan defender Nourredine Naybet of Deportivo Lacruna, also arrived last night. Alpay who played for Turkey in the World Cup finals plays professional soccer with English club Aston Villa.

The All Stars Team will train today under the supervision of Frenchman Bruno Metsu, the head coach of joint league leaders Al Ain, at Zayed Sports City.

Milene Domingues also expressed her delight and pleasure in participating in Adnan's testimonial match. She was received at Dubai International Airport on Tuesday night by Mohammed Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, the Director of Abu Dhabi Sports Channel and Vice-Chairman of the Organising Committee.