The 1986 World Cup winner joined UAE icon Ismail Matar on the pitch on Sunday night and is heading up an Emirati contingent to play in the match, which is being backed by the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace and aims to promote the values of peace around the world.

“Dubai set an example for global cities by becoming a universal model for peace and I feel that I have become part of it,” the 55-year-old legend told Sport360.

“It’s a feeling that makes me proud, to be in a city where I have found all the love and warmth as if I was in my home country,” said Maradona, who famously won two Serie A titles with Napoli and scored 34 goals in 91 international appearances for his country.

Ronaldinho, Robert Pires, Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Antoine Griezmann will be just some of the names to feature in the game, which takes place at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on October 12.

PICTURES BY CHRIS WHITEOAK