Updated, July 3, 2013:
Below please find updated information on Messi and Friends vs. the World, which include theconfirmed list of players taking part at Saturday’s event. Unfortunately, the match will be held without the participation of Polish football players. The event will feature:
Pablo Aimar (Benfica), Carlos Bocanegra (Chivas USA), Jose de Jesus Corona(Cruz Azul), Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Ariel Ortega (Defensores de Belgrano, Pablo Daniel Osvaldo (Roma), Julio Cesar Soares (Queens Park Rangers), Santiago Solari (Peñarol), Alex Song (Barcelona), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), John Viafara (Independente Medellin).
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Robert Lewandowski, star striker for the Poland national team and for top German club Borussia Dortmand, was announced today as the latest addition to the roster of the world’s top soccer talent set to participate in “Messi and Friends vs. the World 2013”, an exhibition to take place July 6 at Chicago’s Soldier Field. Proceeds from the event benefit the children’s charity sponsored by Argentine superstar, Lionel Messi. Rising Polish stars Grzegorz Krychowiak and Rafal Wolski were also announced today as joining the roster for the friendly.
“I’m thrilled to be able to agree to be part of this great event,” said Lewandowski. “In addition to being a great featured event for the United States, it’s also wonderful to be able to be part of supporting this charity for children in need.”
In addition to the July 6 event, fans have the opportunity to stay where the players stay, courtesy of special arrangements worked out in connection with Hyatt, the official hotel sponsor of Messi and Friends. The website MessiandFriends.net includes information on hotel and ticket deals as well as a limited number of VIP packages that include an autographed shirt and soccer ball, seating on the field with the players and access to a meet-and-greet with the players and coaches.
In addition to Messi and Lewandowski, the world’s elite soccer stars participating in the upcoming friendly include Jose Manuel Pinto, Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song, Emiliano Insua, Mario Yepes, Ricky Alvarez, Pablo Aimar, Martin Demichelis, Diego Lugano, Walter Gargano, Alvaro Gonzalez, Dani Osvaldo, David Trezeguet, Giovani dos Santos, Jonathan dos Santos, Thierry Henry, Sergio Busquets, Antonio Cassano, and Marco Fabian.
“This event will feature the world’s greatest players in a festival of soccer, the most popular sport on the planet,” said Sergio Codino, vice president of Numero 5, LLC, the match’s organizer. “The Messi and Friends friendly, much like the NFL Pro Bowl or the MLB All-Star Game, will provide fans with an incredible opportunity to witness the world’s greatest athletes from the world of soccer together on the field of competition before the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014.”
Messi, Lewandowski and the other stars will also be part of media and community events in Chicago preceding the official July 6 event. Messi and Friends vs. the World is in support of the Leo Messi Foundation in its ongoing initiative to help sick and at-risk Argentine children access opportunities to lead full, healthy lives. The charity was founded in 2007 by Lionel Messi, the highly decorated international soccer sensation. In 2010 UNICEF named Messi a goodwill ambassador, focused on supporting children’s rights.
Ticket and lodging packages for July 6 event now available at MessiandFriends.net