Totti, Puyol set for kick-off as LNY Cup returns

The Lunar New Year Cup will return after a five-year hiatus, with legendary Italian striker Francesco Totti to lead a World XI against a Hong Kong team consisting of famous current and former footballers, including goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai and striker Chan Siu-ki.

The news came a day before tickets for Lionel Messi's match against Hong Kong on February 4 were to be made available on Klook, starting 11am today.

The LNY Cup will be held on February 13 at Hong Kong Stadium, nine days after the exhibition match involving Messi and his Inter Miami team at the same venue.

Leading the star-studded World XI is the "Prince of Roma" Totti, coming to Hong Kong for the first time, together with former Barcelona defender Carles Puyol and former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron.

Former Inter Milan players - defender Marco Materazzi and midfielder Wesley Sneijder - will also play.

The Hong Kong XI will be made up of the most famous local names across generations, including the renowned 80s duo of striker Au Wai-lun and winger Lee Kin-wo.

Leslie Santos will team up with renowned former goalkeeper Fan Chun-yip as well as winger Chan Chi-hong.

Chan Siu-ki will reunite with center-back Chan Wai-ho. Their teammates at that time, goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai and midfielder Leung Chun-pong, will be the two active professional players in the team.

Chan Wai-ho said: "I look forward to defending Totti ... the Lunar New Year Cup is my most anticipated match all year.

"My former teammate Chan Siu-ki competing with Materazzi must be very exciting. But Siu-ki does not know Italian, so I don't think the two will get into an argument on the pitch."

Leung Chun-pong looks forward to competing against Veron.

"Veron is a master of set-pieces. Opponents usually will be careful not to foul against his team, but this is an exhibition match. We might commit some fouls to let spectators see his free-kicks," Leung said.

Tickets will be between HK$180 and HK$980.

Fans will be seeing Lee Kin-wo and Santos, both 56, twice in a month as they will be playing against another team of former international players - including Paul Scholes, Michael Owen and Luis Figo - on January 10.