Andres Iniesta and Xavi among 4 Barcelona legends to feature in special El Clasico against Real Madrid Leyendas in December
Barcelona have announced their legends team will face Real Madrid legends on December 15 at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. The match will feature four former Barcelona players, who will make their first-ever appearance in a legends game after retiring. Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Javier Mascherano, and Rafa Marquez will all feature for the first time since their respective retirements.
Iniesta's presence will be one of the highlights of the match, as he recently retired. He spent five years playing in Japan for Vissel Kobe before moving to the United Arab Emirates. Prior to the December 15 clash, Barcelona legends and Real legends will first face off in Doha, Qatar, on November 28.
It is, however, important to note that Iniesta and the other three abovementioned players will not feature in the Qatar game.
Besides the debutants, legends like Rivaldo, Bojan Krkic, Javier Saviola, Ludovic Giuly Andriano, and Gaizka Mendieta will also feature for La Blaugrana in the highly anticipated clash.
In the same vein, the Real Madrid legends team will also see club icons like Roberto Carlos, Iker Casillas, Ivan Campo, Luis Figo, Steve McManaman, and Julio Baptista turn up. The December clash will be the fourth meeting between the legends of the two teams, and the match will start at 7pm local time (6pm CEST).
Barcelona and Real Madrid set to enter race for Georgian wonderkid – Reports
Barcelona are Real Madrid and reportedly set to enter a transfer battle for Dinamo Tbilisi starlet Saba Kharebashvili. Kharebashvili, 16, is a product of Dinamo Tbilisi Academy and was recently promoted to the senior team.
He made his first-team debut at the age of 15 and has already registered 26 senior appearances for Dinamo Tbilisi, including 22 starts. Despite his age, he is already attracting the attention of European heavyweights with his technical ability and tactical awareness.
According to Italian outlet La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Saba Kharebashvili is attracting the interest of several European heavyweights, including Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Kharebashvili primarily plays as a left-back. Both Barca and Los Blancos are reportedly aiming to bolster their defense, especially the left-back position. La Blaugrana have only one established left back in their squad in Alejandro Balde, while Los Merengues are said to be uncertain about the future of Ferland Mendy.