On 6th September, with the FIFA U-17 World Cup just 30 days away, Mumbai will witness the likes of several FIFA Legends to mark the occasion. After hosting Carles Puyol, Esteban Cambiasso and Nwankwo Kanu as part of the FIFA U-17 World Cup build-up and draw, India will now see FIFA Legends Carlos Valderrama, Fernando Morientes, Marcel Desailly, Jorge Campos and Emmanuel Amuneke join the trophy experience in the bustling city of Mumbai.
The Mumbai leg of the coveted trophy experience begins on September 6 and ends on September 10. The FIFA Legends will be present at the event and will also participate in an exhibition match scheduled to take place at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai to celebrate the much awaited blockbuster event of the country.
55-year-old Carlos Valderrama, popularly known as 'El Pibe (The Kid), played in three editions of the FIFA World Cup in a decorated career spanning more than two decades. The former midfielder believes that the trophy experience will boost the fan's enthusiasm as they eagerly await the mega-event. ''The FIFA U-17 World Cup in India will be a milestone in the history of football. I look forward to joining the Trophy Experience, which will bring the excitement of this landmark event even closer to Indian fans. There are great expectations in Colombia ahead of the first participation of our team since Nigeria 2009,'' he commented.
Joining Valderrama would be Spaniard Fernando Morientes. The ex-Liverpool forward featured in two editions of the FIFA World Cup for Spain and is fondly remembered for his three UEFA Champions League trophies with Los Blancos. 48-year-old Ghana-born Marcel Desailly, who was part of the French side that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and went on to captain Les Bleus to two FIFA Confederations Cup titles in 2001 and 2003, will also fly to India's financial capital for the affair.
Jorge Campos and Emmanuel Amuneke form the rest of the clan of FIFA Legends visiting host nation India. The striker-turned-goalkeeper Jorge Campos revolutionised the art of goalkeeping and was Mexico’s undisputed first-choice custodian whereas Emmanuel Amuneke, a former Nigeria international played at the 1994 FIFA World Cup and won Olympic gold in 1996.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 is slated to kick start on October 8 with home side India contesting their group ties in the nation's capital, having been drawn with Colombia, USA and Ghana.
