Old stars shine in Clasico

Former stars from Real Madrid and Barcelona turned back the clock in a special El Clasico legends game in Qatar on Tuesday.

The seven-a-side match featured luminaries such as Ronald de Boer, Bolo Zenden, Jari Litmanen, Vitor Baia and Fernando Couto, with Real Madrid legend Raul also making a special appearance.

The Champions League all-time top-scorer now plies his trade with Qatari club Al Sadd.

On the pitch the action might not have been as frenetic as it was in their heyday, but both sides showed flashes of brilliance.

Although only an exhibition match there was plenty of pride at stake, and it was Real Madrid who came out on top in a penalty shootout.

De Boer, who played for Barcelona from 1998 until 2000, said the players had lost none of their competitive spirit.

“You saw the intensity, the enthusiasm of the players but also the will power to win and go for every ball so it was nice to see,” the Dutchman said.

“It was a nice game, we came close to clinching a win there at the end, we came back strongly, and then we had two great chances for finish it off, we didn’t do that, (it’s) a little bit disappointing.

“And then penalties of course we lost, I missed one penalty but overall I think the people saw a nice game.”

Raul, 35, said he is enjoying life in Qatar but is keen for a return home one day.

“I want to stay here (in Qatar), three, four years and then maybe go back to Spain or Real Madrid, I don’t know,” he said.

“I enjoy a lot, my family we are very happy here and I enjoy this new experience.”