AC Milan's Ronaldo and retired French international Zinedine
Zidane returned to Spain for the first time since their playing days at Real
Madrid to face each other in a United Nations charity match on Monday.
Ronaldo and Zidane are goodwill ambassadors for UNDP, a United Nations
development program that organized the fifth Match Against Poverty. Zidane
scored from a free kick and set up the other in a 2-2 draw before 33,000 fans at
La Rosaleda.
Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher and golfer Sergio Garcia also
played.
Zidane was mobbed by children -- and some young adults -- after they broke
through security barriers before the start of the match, the former Madrid
maestro's first on Spanish soil in a year and a half.
He sent his free kick into the defensive wall in the 11th minute, deflecting to
beat diving FC Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes. Zidane's shot in the 44th
minute hit the post, but the rebound landed at Roque Junior's feet for an easy
score.
"I'm very tired," joked Zidane after coming off in the 57th. "But for as long as
I can, I will continue to play in this game."
Ronaldo, who left Madrid in January and was playing his first match of the year
because of injuries, had his side's best chance in the opening half when he
managed a shot from close range that was knocked away by Peter Jehle.
"I'm very happy. The fans have been fantastic," Ronaldo said after being
replaced by Almeria's Alvaro Negredo in the 30th minute. "We're famous people.
Fans follow us and listen to us, so we need to use this for a good cause."
Julios Dos Santos' header in the 61st cut the lead in half before Negredo
equalized four minutes later.
Schumacher, who had several chances, had a shot from close in sail wide in the
82nd minute. Garcia, playing down the left wing, set up Sevilla striker Renato
for two close chances in the final minutes.
Pierluigi Collina of Italy came out of retirement to referee the match for the
second straight year. |