Global football legends Kick Off for Good in Laureus Charity Match

It was a day to remember. The biggest names in world football took to the field to support the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation The Netherlands in a Laureus All Stars v Real Madrid Legends fixture at the AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar.

An early goal from Laureus Ambassador Luis Figo put the Real Madrid Legends in front, however Dutchman Edgar Davids scored to extraordinary goals, giving the Laureus All Stars a 2-1 lead at the break.

A second-half goal surge, which included a hat-trick from Ruben de la Red put Madrid in the lead but it didn’t take the All Stars long to respond. The famous flair of Frenchman Thierry Henry, who found the net alongside teammates Pierre van Hoijdonk and Alkan, made sure the Laureus All Stars lifted the trophy at the inaugural #KickOffForGood charity match.

Lining up for the Laureus All Stars were a host of footballers who have reached the pinnacle of the sport including; Thierry Henry, Serginho, Edgar Davids, Cafu, Hakan Sükür and Laureus Ambassadors Edwin van der Sar and Clarence Seedorf.

The Real Madrid Legends team, brought together by the Real Madrid Foundation, featured a host of Santiago Bernabéu heroes, including Luis Figo, Claude Makélélé, Christian Karembeu and Fernando Hierro.

The charity match was refereed by respected English referee Howard Webb, who famously took charge of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final in South Africa between Spain and The Netherlands. 

The fixture was arranged to support the Laureus Foundation The Netherlands, which helps young people involved in various Laureus Sport for Good projects around The Netherlands. The Dutch projects in Almere, Amsterdam and Gouda provide coaching and education to young people in some of the most challenging and deprived environments, using sport to encourage social inclusion. As well as supporting Laureus The Netherlands, this match will also benefit young people in Madrid through the Real Madrid Foundation.

Chairman of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Edwin Moses, who attended the match in Alkmaar, said: “It’s been a pleasure watching these legends of global football taking to the field once more to support the Laureus Foundation The Netherlands.

“These players have been heroes and role models throughout their careers and I would like to thank them for giving back and helping youngsters involved with Laureus projects throughout the Netherlands.” 

Former Real Madrid player and board member of Laureus The Netherlands, Clarence Seedorf said: “Nelson Mandela has shown how sport is the way to unite people and how its power can be used for social change. My wish is to give the youth everywhere in the world the possibility to develop their life skills through sport and gain the values that sport teaches - values like team spirit, hard work, respect, discipline, resilience and focus. Through sport we can ensure that youth have these values instilled in them, giving them a better chance of achieving greatness, whether in sport or life in general.”