New Delhi: A bevy of star international footballers from top European club FC Bayern Munich will be seen in action when they take on the Indian national team in the farewell exhibition match of former captain Bhaichung Bhutia here on January 10.
Four-time UEFA Champions League winners, Bayern Munich will bring their first team players for the match to be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the German club’s advisor and legendary World Cupper Paul Breitner said at a press conference here.
The match, which will be the first of its kind in the Capital with so many international stars in action.
“We will bring the first team with the best international players we have in our side for the exhibition match in honour of Bhaichung who is an icon in India. He has done so much for Indian football and it will be a salute to Bhaichung from all of us in Bayern Munich. It will be a perfect sendoff for him,” Breitner, who was a member of 1974 German World Cup-winning team, said.
Breitner also mentioned the names of German captain Philip Lahm, Frank Ribery, Bastian Schweinsteiger, 2010 World Cup highest goal scorer Thomas Mueller, Dutch star Arjen Robben and current Bundesliga top scorer Mario Gomes.
Bhaichung, who retired from international football in August after representing the country in 107 matches since his debut in 1995, said he was honoured to be playing his farewell match against a top side like Bayern Munich.
“I feel honoured that I will be playing my farewell game against a great side like Bayern Munich and against some great players,” said Bhaichung.
Breitner said Bayern want to make it big in India as the country can be a football power in future.
“I know most of football fans in India are English Premier League fans. But we want to become big in India as I believe in a decade I feel India can be a football nation if it wakes up to its potential. India is full of talent,” said the former Bayern and Real Madrid player.(PTI)