Barcelona’s illustrious heritage is set to grace Nigeria as the club’s Legends team prepares to take on a dazzling assembly of African football icons at Abuja’s Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Saturday, 25 October, according to Soccernet.ng.
Guided by former defender Albert Ferrer, the Barcelona Legends squad will feature the legendary Brazilian maestro Ronaldinho, who has officially confirmed his participation.
Joining Ronaldinho will be a blend of former teammates and fan favourites such as Ludovic Giuly, Javier Saviola, Fernando Navarro, Jesús Angoy, Roberto Trashorras, Marc Valiente, alongside Nigerian ex-defender Samuel Okunowo.
The African Legends team promises an equally thrilling encounter, boasting the creative genius of Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, the commanding presence of Nwankwo Kanu, the clinical finishing of Emmanuel Adebayor, and the robust midfield prowess of Alex Song, who also spent two seasons with Barcelona. Notably, Kanu, Adebayor, and Song all have histories with Arsenal, while Adebayor also had a spell at Real Madrid.
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This event marks the fifth occasion the Barça Legends have toured Africa, following previous visits to Mozambique (2017), Morocco (2019), Zambia (2023), and DR Congo (2023). Their most recent match took place in Monterrey, Mexico, where a hat-trick from David Villa secured a 3-2 win.
The anticipated clash in Abuja is expected to draw a crowd of approximately 60,000 spectators to Nigeria’s national stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 3pm local time (4pm CET). For Ferrer’s squad, this is a chance to showcase Barcelona’s timeless footballing ethos, while the African Legends will celebrate the continent’s rich reservoir of talent.
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Nigeria offers a perfect backdrop for this encounter.
The Super Eagles stand as one of Africa’s most decorated football teams, boasting three Africa Cup of Nations triumphs (1980, 1994, 2013), six runner-up finishes, and multiple Olympic medals, including the landmark gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Barcelona’s connection with Nigerian football runs deep.
Four Nigerian players have donned the Blaugrana jersey: Emmanuel Amunike, a multiple trophy winner with the club; Samuel Okunowo; the prodigious Haruna Babangida; and Elohor Godswill, who competed in the Copa Catalunya.
Since its inception in 2016, the Barça Legends initiative has brought together over 80 former players on worldwide tours, blending football nostalgia with the club’s global outreach.
With Ronaldinho’s magic on one side and Okocha’s creativity on the other, Abuja is poised to host a spectacular celebration of football that unites continents, honors legendary talents, and rekindles memories of an era when artistry defined the sport.
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