Barca, Actual legends to reprise their El Clasico rivalry in Mumbai

The previous Spain striker, usually a late intervention for Actual Madrid, soaked within the applause to have fun his forty eighth birthday in a Mumbai lodge on Saturday. The Morientes who sat on the entrance of the room had just a few extra gray hairs and wrinkles in comparison with the picture of him from his taking part in days that was within the backdrop. As did former Portuguese defender Pepe, Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winner Edmilson and former Argentina ahead Javier Saviola sitting beside him.

The quartet have been attending a media convention a day forward of a ‘legends El Clasico derby’, between former gamers of Actual Madrid and Barcelona who had featured in the true deal. The sport will happen on Sunday at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

They exuded an air of calm forward of a match that recalled an important fixture of their taking part in days. At the same time as former gamers, the loyalties and rivalries nonetheless stand.

“While you’re a soccer participant, you’re at all times going to stay that means,” mentioned Morientes, a two-time La Liga and three-time Champions League winner with Actual, by way of a translator. “These matches are a bit of bit completely different and also you get to take pleasure in a bit extra, however that competitiveness will at all times be there between Barcelona and Actual Madrid. You might be representing your personal group and you’re chargeable for that.”

On Sunday, they are going to line-up with the likes of Rivaldo, Luis Figo, Michael Owen, Carles Puyol and lots of extra former gamers of the 2 golf equipment in an exhibition sport with some scores nonetheless to be settled.

“It’s a unique sort of match as a result of it isn’t knowledgeable sport,” mentioned Pepe, the hard-tackling defender who received three Champions League and La Liga titles every with Actual Madrid. “We all know that Barca has been successful a bit greater than Actual proper now, so we’ve to right that (tomorrow).”

Pepe, the enforcer

Now 42, Pepe was taking part in for Portugal and membership soccer (for Porto) until final yr. The member of Portugal’s victorious 2016 European Championship group was part of a few of the extra heated El Clasico derbies. Particularly on the time when Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola have been the pinnacle coaches of Actual and Barcelona respectively.

“Issues heated up when Mourinho and Guardiola have been there for each side,” Pepe mentioned. “Taking apart these fights, individuals obtained to observe these matches in a greater environment. There have been fights between the golf equipment, between the gamers, between the trainers, between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo… However these have been unimaginable years for Spanish soccer. I noticed them from the within. These have been good matches for followers and gamers.”

This was a matchup that evoked emotion and drew the eye of followers from internationally. Saviola, who has performed for Barcelona and Actual Madrid (he’ll signify Barca in Mumbai) remembers the sport being a household affair when he was rising up in Argentina.

“Rivalries have at all times been necessary, and even in Argentina we had this huge one with River Plate and Boca Juniors,” he recalled. “However individuals in South America understand how necessary the El Clasico is. Once I was a child, I used to observe it with my household.”

The rivalry between the 2 groups although maybe a bit mellow now in comparison with over a decade earlier, nonetheless stays one of many greatest fixtures in world soccer. It has reached some extent the place, based on former Barcelona participant Edmilson, the El Clasico has turn out to be greater than the Brazil-Argentina derby.

“I’m a bit vital, however I really feel gamers play higher when it’s Barca-Actual than for his or her nationwide group,” he mentioned.

Saviola concurred: “In South America additionally there may be huge ardour. Folks cease their work to point out their colors and watch the match. These are nations with huge soccer traditions. However on the sector, there may be nothing in comparison with Barca-Actual.”

One other model recalling the Clasico will happen in Mumbai on Sunday, albeit as a pleasant.

In contrast to the backdrop on the press meet, the group buses have been embellished with up to date variations of the gamers’ footage. The gray hair and wrinkles are there, however the faces are nonetheless very acquainted. Faces that carry again reminiscences of thrilling soccer matches from yesteryear and take one on a nostalgic journey. To once they have been 25 and had the footballing world at their ft.