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Football: Iniesta looks forward to 'El Clasico' in Kobe

Football: Iniesta looks forward to 'El Clasico' in Kobe

The Mainichi09-05-2025

OSAKA (Kyodo) -- Former Spain and Barcelona star midfielder Andres Iniesta said Friday he looks forward to playing in a five-on-five exhibition match in Kobe on May 25 featuring former stars of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The match at GLION Arena Kobe will try to restage the El Clasico between the La Liga rival clubs. Iniesta played in the J-League for about five years, all with Vissel Kobe, through the summer of 2023.
"Kobe is my second home, so I'm really looking forward to going back," Iniesta said in an online press conference. "Legendary players will get together. It's a special opportunity for me, too."
It will also serve as a rematch of Iniesta's retirement game at Tokyo's Ajinomoto Stadium last December.
The participants are scheduled to include Romario and Pepe.

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