Pele, Maradona to grace World Cup opening ceremony
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-06-07 09:21 Football legends Pele and
Diego Maradona along with some 170 former World Cup-winning players will show up
at the opening ceremony Friday in Munich.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter told reporters at a press conference: "Maradona
and Pele will be present at the opening ceremony."
He added: "Pele will bring the World Cup trophy on to the pitch of the Munich
stadium with German supermodel Claudia Schiffer."
The ceremony will be held before the opening match of the World Cup between
hosts Germany and Costa Rica.
Blatter said that the presence of the 170 former world champions would create
"a special atmosphere".
"They will be on the pitch at the opening ceremony," he said.
"We are very grateful for them over the years."
He said that all 22 players from the 1974 final in which West Germany beat
the Netherlands 2-1 here have announced they will be present on June
9.
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