Zidane and Ronaldo to Return to the Pitch for Ebola Relief Charity Match
Football legends Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo will come out of retirement this April to help raise funds in the fight against Ebola. The two former stars will take part in a charity match aimed at supporting the countries most severely affected by the virus.
Scheduled for 20 April at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Étienne, France, the match will see Zidane and Ronaldo lead a team of international stars against a selection of AS Saint-Étienne “All Stars.” The event, organised under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is part of the 12th annual “Match Against Poverty.”
According to FIFA.com, two-thirds of the proceeds from the match will be donated to Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone — the West African nations hardest hit by the Ebola epidemic. The funds will go toward post-epidemic recovery and rebuilding efforts in health, education, and infrastructure.
“This match is more than a game — it’s a show of solidarity,” said Zidane, who, along with Ronaldo, serves as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador. “Thousands of lives have been lost, and countless families have been affected. We want to do our part to bring help and hope to those who need it most.”
The Ebola virus outbreak, which began in 2014, has claimed over 9,000 lives, with the vast majority of fatalities reported in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. While the global spotlight has faded somewhat in recent weeks, the humanitarian impact remains profound.
UNDP officials said the charity match aims not only to raise money but also to draw renewed attention to the crisis and its long-term effects on the region. “This is about helping communities rebuild and recover after devastating loss,” said a spokesperson.
The “Match Against Poverty” initiative was launched in 2003 by UNDP in partnership with top footballers to raise awareness and funds for pressing global issues. Previous matches have supported disaster recovery efforts in Haiti, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
Ronaldo, a two-time World Cup winner with Brazil, echoed Zidane’s message. “Football has the power to unite people and make a difference,” he said. “This match gives us a chance to stand in solidarity with those affected by the Ebola crisis.”
The event is expected to attract a full crowd and a wide audience via international broadcasts. Organisers hope the match will not only raise substantial funds but also remind the world that the effects of Ebola are still being felt — and that the fight is far from over.
