Chelsea to play Real Madrid legends in 10th annual Corazón Classic charity match

In a summer largely devoid of football and possibly transfers as well, we’re going to have to take any distraction we can find. A few international tournaments aside — Africa Cup of Nations, Copa America, Gold Cup, Women’s World Cup — there isn’t much to get too excited about.

But here’s something that could be fun: Real Madrid vs. Chelsea legends match!

Set to place on June 23, 2019 at the famous Santiago Bernabeu, the 10th annual Corazon Classic Match (tickets on sale now for just €5) will feature legends from both clubs, including many who participated in the famous UEFA Super Cup win for Chelsea 21 years prior, in 1998.

Tore Andre Flo, who led the Chelsea delegation at the announcement earlier today, was a late substitute in that 1-0 win for the Blues. Real’s announcement also mentions Marcel Desailly (who played the full 90 on that day), Eidur Gudjohnsen, Ricardo Carvalho, and Michael Essien (who recently found himself a new team in Baku, Azerbaijan to postpone his retirement once again) on the Chelsea side, while naming Raul (who was Real’s starting striker in 1998), Roberto Carlos, Steve McManaman, and ... Alvaro Arbeloa? ... as club legends set to participate. A report by Diario AS also names Luis Figo, Fernando Redondo, and a certain Zinedine Zidane as expected to be present.

The match itself will be played out against the backdrop of the Eden Hazard saga of course, which apparently was even a topic for jokes during the luncheon with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez — which apparently the Chelsea delegation didn’t find too appetizing (although AS claims the relationship is “excellent” between the clubs) — so that certainly adds an extra level of intrigue, amusement, attention.