"The lists of team players haven't been finalized yet, but Platini will be here because he is leading the European Football Festival week, of which the veterans' game will be a part," said Xia Yubing, press officer of the EU pavilion.
Xia would not confirm the appearance of legends Paolo Maldini, Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane, although all three are rumored to be part of the European team.
Unfortunately, the Spain pavilion does not have any plans to invite the World Cup winners to the Expo, as budget problems caused by the impact of the financial crisis have ended any plans to invite the national team, according to Yang Yue, press officer at the Spanish pavilion.
However, two pavilions in Urban Best Practice Area, Madrid and Barcelona, are making arrangements for clubs from their respective cities, Real Madrid and Barcelona, both European soccer giants, to visit the Expo Garden.
Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of the Portuguese national team, currently plays with Real Madrid.
The Portugal pavilion had earlier signaled its intent to invite Ronaldo to the Expo for an appearance at the pavilion.
The coach of the successful German national team may also put in an appearance.
"As Freiburg is the birthplace of Joachim Loew, the current coach of the German team, we want to invite him over for a small event in our pavilion," said Li Wenye, media officer of Freiburg's case pavilion.
Loew is credited with taking his young and inexperienced team to third place in the World Cup.
(Source: China Daily)
Special Report: 2010 FIFA World Cup
Special Report: World Expo 2010
