Zinedine Zidane To Play In Haiti Charity Soccer Game

In the wake of the massive devastation in Haiti, the United Nations Development Programme and its players have decided to raise funds in support of relief efforts through an exhibition soccer match.

The game, to be played in Lisbon January 25, has drawn some heavy hitters. Invited soccer stars include Brazilian midfielder Kaka and retired soccer star/humanitarian Zinedine Zidane, both of whom are Goodwill Ambassadors of the UNDP.

Missing from the exhibition game will be Ronaldo. Due to commitments to his Club Corinthians-FC on Jan. 24, Ronaldo opted to invite Brazilian teammate and friend Kaka, who is also a UN Goodwill Ambassador for the WFP, to play in his place.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Zidane and Ronaldo campaigning to raise funds and fuel efforts to reduce poverty- in 2005, the dynamic due raised about U.S. $120,000 to finance humanitarian projects in the Haitian shantytown of Cite Soleil.

The friendly game will pit Zidane & Friends against the All-Star team of Benfica, which will host the game at its Stadium of Light.