Wednesday, 18 May 2011

Real Madrid vs Murcia: Charity match

Real Madrid will face today a team of players from the region of Murcia, captained by Jose Antonio Camacho at Nueva Condomina Stadium (Murcia 7:00 pm) in order to gather proceeds for those affected by the Lorca earthquake. The Culture and Tourism Council of the Autonomous Government of Murcia has accepted Real Madrid's proposal, by which the club put itself at the disposal of the regional government to help in any way it could.

Real Madrid will play in Murcia after Lorca earthquake
Lorca after the earthquake

The presence of Real Madrid will not be testimonial. The call includes all the players available with the exception of the Argentine international players, who are already preparing the Copa America. The expedition, led by Florentino Pérez, Jorge Valdano and Emilio Butragueno has landed in San Javier Airport at 11:30 am and will spend two hours in Lorca; First before the game kicks-off, Real Madrid players will visit areas affected by the earthquake for a first-hand look at the damages caused, then a reception at City Hall.

And on the pitch, Mourinho will give minutes to all players in the squad (including Pedro León, local hero), although the starting lineup will not be very different from the last games of the season. That is, many stars and Cristiano Ronaldo.

What today is much more than a football game. It is an act of solidarity with the city of Lorca, shaken last week by a double earthquake that left nine dead and 300 wounded. The event is a tribute to an city and its inhabitants and, later, a sports festival. Football at the service of people. And as ambassador of football, Real Madrid. Just like all times.