What Happened at the Juego de Leyendas in Monterrey This Weekend?

Monterrey's Estadio BBVA shone brightly on Friday 20th September 2024, as football legends from Mexico and around the world gathered to celebrate the 428th anniversary of the northern city. The star-studded event, marking both the city's rich history and excitement for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, saw an incredible display of talent and nostalgia as iconic names from football’s past returned to the pitch.

The match featured 9-a-side teams representing Mexico and international legends, delighting the packed stadium with thrilling moments, impressive goals, and a competitive spirit that evoked memories of their playing days.

A Battle of Legends

The Mexican side included household names like goalkeeping greats Oswaldo Sánchez and Jorge Campos, defenders Ricardo Osorio and Jorge Torres Nilo, midfield maestros Pável Pardo and Braulio Luna, and legendary strikers Jared Borgetti, Luis "Matador" Hernández, and Oribe Peralta. Meanwhile, the international team featured football royalty, including Gianluigi Buffon, Javier Zanetti, Alessandro Del Piero, John Terry, Didier Drogba, Diego Forlán, Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernández, and Andrea Pirlo.

Clearing their calendars for the visit to the north of Mexico, Pirlo recently left his position as manager of Salernitana whilst Xavi parted ways from his managerial post with Barcelona in the summer, despite winning the La Liga title last season.

The match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, with breathtaking goals and flashes of brilliance on display. Pirlo, in particular, wowed the crowd with a long-range, inch-perfect strike that showcased his renowned finesse, reminding everyone why he remains one of the game’s all-time best passers.

A Penalty Shootout to Decide It All

While regular time ended in a stalemate, the winner was decided from the penalty spot. Mexico’s Luis Hernández, Oribe Peralta, Guille Franco, and Jared Borgetti found the back of the net, but it was Miguel Layún’s miss that proved costly. Layún, the only player to miss in the shootout, allowed the international team to claim victory. For the internationals, Andrea Pirlo, Youri Djorkaeff, Didier Drogba, Xavi Hernández, and Alessandro Del Piero were all clinical in their penalties, sealing the win.

Despite the result, the game was more about the celebration and enjoyment of the fans than the scoreline. With moments of pure skill, such as Pirlo's goal and Drogba’s powerful presence up front, the legends rolled back the years to deliver a spectacle that had the crowd on their feet.

Building Excitement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

This Juego de Leyendas was not only a celebration of Monterrey’s rich culture and history but also a prelude to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As one of the host cities, Monterrey is poised to play a significant role in the global tournament, and events like these build excitement for what is to come.

The city is no stranger to high-profile footballing events, and with legends like Buffon, Drogba, and Zanetti gracing the pitch alongside Mexican heroes like Borgetti and Hernández, the atmosphere at Estadio BBVA was electric. Fans left with a sense of pride in their city and anticipation for the future.

A Night to Remember

The Juego de Leyendas reminded everyone of the beauty and magic of football, with players from different generations and nations coming together to share their love for the game. Monterrey will remember this night for years to come, not only as a celebration of its 428th anniversary but also as a glimpse into the thrilling spectacle the city will offer during the World Cup in 2026.

With a perfect mix of nostalgia, excitement, and skill, the night at Estadio BBVA was a fitting tribute to both Monterrey’s past and the bright footballing future awaiting Mexico and the world.

What did you make of the event? Let us know!