Ronaldo and Cafu might play in Kolkata

It can end up being one of the greatest year for football-loving Kolkata, probably the best they have had so far in terms of watching legends in action.

After Lionel Messi and his band in the famous white and blue stripes created magic on the Salt Lake turf in September in a friendly against Venezuela, some really big former stars of international soccer are likely to play ball in the city later this year, albeit in an exhibition tie.

Leading the star-cast being lined up to feature in the match, according to the promoters, will be Ronaldo, the Phenomenon.

Super Football, the exhibition tie, between a constellation of World Cuppers headed by the Brazilian goal-machine, should be a rare treat for the aficionados, if the efforts of people behind the show bear fruit.

The list of names who could possibly be in Kolkata includes Brazil's World Cup-winning captainCafu and compatriot Rai, Dutchmen Rudd Gullit, Patrick Kluivert, Winston Bogarde, Ronald De Boer and Regi Blinker, and German greats Oliver Kahn and Lothar Mathaeus.

The team is scheduled to play its first match in Nepal on December 9 and fly in to play in Kolkata. The date of the game, however, is yet to be confirmed.

An official of the event management company handling the match, Sunil Hamal, told TOI on Friday, "It is our first effort to promote football in India and we think it will be a huge step in creating awareness and excitement for the game in the country."

The team will play against an Indian XI comprising actors and former stars including Baichung Bhutia. The visitors will also interact with budding footballers in a close camp in Kolkata. "It will be a great opportunity for the kids to get in touch with the superstars of world football," said Hamal.

The company is also planning to release a theme song for the game and a music video, which will be out on November 15.

In May 2012, a friendly match between German top-flight club VFB Stuttgart and Mohun Bagan is scheduled. It was learnt that organizers are also in talks with Portuguese legend Luis Figo who is yet to confirm his participation. Initially, Zinedine Zidane was also named in the party but the French maestro won't be able to make it.

Probable team: Regi Blinker (The Netherlands), Patrick Kluivert (The Netherlands), Ruud Gullit (The Netherlands), Marcel Desailly (France), Oliver Kahn (Germany), Lothar Mathaeus(Germany), Ronald De Boer (The Netherlands), Winston Bogarde (The Netherlands), Dietmar Hamann (Germany), Ronaldo (Brazil), Cafu (Brazil), Rai (Brazil), Ansgar Brinkmann (Germany), Fredi Bobic (Germany).

SOURCE : TOI