Zinedine Zidane, Michael Ballack, Dennis Bergkamp and more set to play in 2017 'Legends World Cup'
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Updated 07/10/2015 at 09:56 GMT
Mexico is set to play host to what is likely to be a much-anticipated semi-competitive football tournament, two years from now.
Zinedine Zidane in the shirt of Real Madrid in 2002
Image credit: AFP
ESPN Deportes are reporting that a Legends World Cup will be staged across three cities in Mexico - Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City - with a total of 12 nations participating.
Players aged between 35 and 45 will be invited to compete in 60-minute matches with unlimited substitutions.
Not only that, but proceeds from the tournament will go to charity - likely to be various Mexican foundations.
Further details will apparently be revealed this coming January, but - come on! The prospect of some of the coolest footballing names of the last two decades reuniting for a friendly tournament is far too exciting for us to wait three months before indulging in wild speculation.
First and foremost, we'll cover what already seems to be a lock...
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Dennis Bergkamp, World Cup 1998
Image credit: AFP
CONFIRMED (ACCORDING TO REPORTS)
Of the 12 sides, six will be from Europe and four from the Americas, with South Africa and Japan the sole representatives from their respective continents.
Here's the list in full:
- England
- Germany
- France
- Spain
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Mexico
- United States
- Brazil
- Argentina
- South Africa
- Japan
In addition, several names have been reported by ESPN as being set for the event already.
Netherlands in particular seem fully on board, with Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seedorf and Ruud Gullit set to be among those coached by Frank Rijkaard at the event. Johan Cruyff is also reportedly on board in a broadcasting capacity.
Germany have also looked towards a coach in the form of Lothar Matthaus, with Michael Ballack one of his charges.Argentina look set to feature Juan Sebastian Veron and Gaizka Mendieta will be among those playing for Spain.
The great Zinedine Zidane is expected to turn out for France, and the one and only name mentioned with regards to the hosts so far is legendary goalkeeper Jorge Campos - better known as the man who designed his own kits, and held absolutely nothing back:
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jorge campos
Image credit: Reuters
OUR WISHLIST
Now, here's who we'd love to see join these fine gentlemen in this awesome concept.
- David Beckham
- Raul
- Roberto Carlos
- Ronaldinho
- Alessandro Del Piero
- Hernan Crespo
- Carles Puyol
- Thierry Henry
- Hidetoshi Nakata
- Benni McCarthy
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David Beckham celebrates his crucial goal for England against Greece (PA Sport)
Image credit: PA Photos
COULD THIS BE A SPORTS TOURNAMENT ENGLAND COULD ACTUALLY WIN?
Probably not, no. But it would be cool to see some of the Three Lions of the 1990s and early 2000s reunited, for nostalgia's sake.
It was the anniversary of this famous moment only this week, after all...
AND IMAGINE THE ALL-STAR TEAM!
Yes, we're getting ahead of ourselves a bit now. But when it comes to dreaming about awesome fantasy football sides filled with legends, who cares?
This graphic below could be a glimpse into 2017 when the Legends World Cup announces their 'team of the tournament'.
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