It’s always great to see your footballing heroes on the pitch and perhaps, the pleasure is doubled when the players you so idolised return to the pitch to roll back the years. And when this happens for a good cause, it feels like an icing on the cake.The mouthwatering clash between David Beckham’s Great Britain and Ireland XI and Zinedine Zidane’s Rest of the World XI was held at Old Trafford on the 14th of November in a Unicef charity match. Beckham’s team was more or less a reunion of the Class of ‘92 and to add to that, they were managed by their former boss Sir Alex Ferguson.Though, Zidane himself and Patrick Viera who were supposed to feature backed out at the last minute after the attacks in Paris, the likes of Cafu, Ronaldinho and Patrick Kluivert featured for the ROW team to enthral the fans who had assembled at Old Trafford.The side led by Sir Alex won out 3-1 in a performance reminiscent of the Manchester United of old. Goals from Paul Scholes, Micheal Owen and Dwight Yorke summed up an emotional and a rather enjoyable outing for both the fans and the players.The result, though, was of little consequence as the game dubbed ‘Match for Children’ was organised to raise money and awareness towards a sizeable population of unprotected children around the globe and was organised by Unicef.The legends were successful in providing wholesome entertainment to a starstruck crowd. They produced magic on the pitch once more and we’ve put together some of the best moments of that game. Enjoy!
#1 Like father like son
There is no doubt that the most special moment of the game arrived when Junior Beckham, Brooklynreplaced his father to a thunderous applause inside the theatre of dreams.
A smiling Beckham senior hugged his son and left the field in a heart-warming display of emotions. Rarely, must a player have beenso happy to be substituted in a game as the former United captain. Indeed a special occasion.
Watch the video here, as Beckham is replaced by Beckham!
#2 Ronaldinho\'s iconic No-look-pass
Even though Ronaldinho seems to have reached the twilight of his career, he simply does not cease to entertain. The34-year-old rolled back the years with his splendid no-look-pass to Patrick Kluivert who finished it cheekily with an equally impressive backheel goal.
Although the goal was disallowed onaccount of an offside, nothing could diminish the beauty of the moment that brought back the rush, arguably the game's most charismatic player has granted us with, all these years.
Here is the video, cherish it!
#3 Keepy-Ups by the Legends
Ronaldinho once again delightedhis fans with his outrageous skills on the ball. The Brazilian superstar was doing regular training with the likes of Pires and Cafu when they started this outrageous trick while warming up before the start of thematch.
Part of the Rest of the World XI, the trio started keepy ups from one-halfof the pitch and kept it goingtowards the other end.Even though Ronaldinho was the one who stole the show, both Pires and Cafu played an equally impressive part in staging this delightful act.
Here is the Video.
#4 United they stand
David Beckham and Paul Scholes combined to turn back the clockat Old Trafford and to thrill the fans all around the world once again. The first goal of the match came off the head of Paul Scholes. Beckham whipped in a world-class first-time cross andthe midfield maestro arrived right on time to head home pastformer United goalkeeper Edwin van der Saar.
The stadium roared as the legends showed that they still have it in them to produce the goods.
Here is the video of the goal.
#5 Skillmaester Ronaldinho
The magician still has the same aura about him. No matter what he does, you just fall in love with the genius all over again. Before the UNICEF charity match started, Ronaldinho was having a good time as he often does.
the video you can see an Old Trafford support staff member walking in front of Ronaldinho, and the Brazilian simply could not resist a chance to amuse himself as he pulls off a goofy nutmeg that would without a doubt put a smile on your face.