Dubai: Legendary players from European clubs AC Milan, Arsenal, Blackburn, Brondby, Celtic, Feyenoord, Leeds and Olympiacos will face-off in Emirates Airline Dubai Football 7s, which kicks off today.
Separately, a host of up-and-coming stars from the clubs will take on each other.
There will also be 300-plus amateur teams that have signed up.
Players ranging from the age of eight to veterans will get the chance to rub shoulders with the stars. The legends tournament will kick off with AC Milan taking on Celtic at 10.41am tomorrow, while the first of the professional matches will see Arsenal coming up against Feyenoord just after 9am.
Special
"This really is something special, with so many players of all ages, cultures and abilities taking part in one tournament," said Liverpool legend Ian Rush.
"Having been involved in the launch of the tournament a couple of months back, the excitement has been building, and I am looking forward to finally getting out there and playing this weekend."
Rush represented Liverpool on 660 occasions, scoring 346 goals.
Dubai-based Derek Whyte — who spent seven years with Celtic — also expressed his excitement at the prospect of once again playing alongside his teammates in his adopted home city.
"I am sure this is going to be a wonderful weekend. Dubai really knows what it's doing when it comes to hosting major sporting events and I have no doubt that this weekend's tournament will give the fans something to cheer about," he said.
Mustafa Karam, Emirates' senior vice-president for customer affairs and service audits, is also looking forward to the event.
"It is wonderful to be welcoming all these great legends of the game to Dubai to take part in the first ever Emirates Airline Dubai Football 7s. Emirates is delighted to have played an integral part in the launch of such an exciting tournament and we are looking forward to a fun-packed festival of football over three days at the Sevens."
Pleased
Walter De Vecchi, coach of the AC Milan side, said: "We are very pleased to be a part of the first ever Emirates Airline Dubai Football 7s and I have no doubt that the players we have here representing AC Milan will make a great impact on the tournament. These are the future stars of the club and there will be some great talent on display this weekend."
