The player I'm looking forward to the most? Ronaldinho Shield captain Ferdinand will also be able to appreciate the rich players of the alien era

Sep 13, 2025

'2025 Icon Match: Return of the Window, Start of Counterattack" event match was held at Sangam World Cup Stadium in Seoul on the afternoon of the 13th. Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand were interviewed before the game. Ferdinand with a smile. Sangam = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.9.13/

"Of course, I look forward to Ronaldinho the most."

Rio Ferdinand, who served as the captain of Shield United at the media day of the '2025 Icon Match: The Return of the Window, the Beginning of the Counterattack' held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 13th, was not blocked from identifying the most anticipated player.

The Icon Match is a super-large soccer event hosted by Nexon, which serves 'FC Online' and 'FC Mobile', and it is an event match in which legendary soccer players gather in one place to play unusual games. The Icon Match, which debuted in 2024, already sold out 16,000 pre-booking seats for FC online event participants in 10 minutes, and 48,000 tickets for general visitors were also sold out in an hour. The heat was hotter this time. This year, in the case of pre-booking for participants in the 'FC Online' icon match event, the number of pre-booking tickets for the main match was sold out in 10 minutes. General reservations for general visitors were also sold out in 20 minutes, confirming the heated interest.

'2025 Icon Match: Return of the Window, Start of Counterattack" event match was held at Sangam World Cup Stadium in Seoul on the afternoon of the 13th. Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand were interviewed before the game. Ferdinand answering the question. Sangam = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.9.13/

The faces of the legends gathered were colorful enough to capture the attention of fans. FC Spear (striker team) led by head coach Arsen Wenger included Didier Drogba, Thierry Henry, Eden Hazard, Clarence Seidorf, Robert Pires, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Gareth Bale, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Park Ji-sung, Koo Ja-cheol, Seol Ki-hyun, Gianluigi Buffon and Lee Bum-young. Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Jon Arnerise, Carles Puyol, Michael Cole, Sol Campbell, Claudio Marcicio, Claude Makelelele, Michael Carrick, Alessandro Nesta, Lee Young-pyo, Park Ju-ho, Iker Casillas and Kim Young-kwang were named in the Shield United led by head coach Rafael Benitez.

A large number of players who stand out in attack and defense, which are symbols of each team, have joined to raise expectations for the game, and Wenger and Benitez, the two great leaders representing the 2000s, have led the team, drawing attention to the managers' resourceful confrontation.

Ahead of the main match on the 14th, various events will be held on the 13th, including media day, end-of-life confrontation, touch challenge, power d'or, and curve challenge, where both team captains will appear.

Shield United captain Ferdinand played as Manchester United's main defender from 2002 to 2014 when he was active, winning one European Champions League and six English Premier League (EPL). He is one of the best defenders to be inducted into the England Football Hall of Fame in 2016 and the EPL Hall of Fame in 2023.

'2025 Icon Match: Return of the Window, Start of Counterattack" event match was held at Sangam World Cup Stadium in Seoul on the afternoon of the 13th. Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand were interviewed before the game. Ferdinand, smiling brightly. Sangam = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.9.13/

Asked if he'd played FC Online or FC Mobile himself, Ferdinand replied "I've actually done it, but I haven't seen Stat. I'm not usually satisfied with the stat, but my kids like games, so I'll do well in the game and post the stat."

As for how he felt about being coached by Benitez, who he met as an enemy, "Although I met a team of coaches such as Liverpool and Arsenal, I am looking forward to it because I met them in a community called soccer." Drogba and Gerrard were also enemies when they were active, but now they are colleagues when they meet. I also thank Nexon for creating an environment to focus on the game"

Of the new players, Ronaldinho is the most anticipated. He is a player who can do everything. I'm so excited, and I want to see it. In my generation, everyone liked him. I'm looking forward to it the most because he is a player who brings laughter to the audience as well as goals and skills."

'2025 Icon Match: Return of the Window, Start of Counterattack" event match was held at Sangam World Cup Stadium in Seoul on the afternoon of the 13th. Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand were interviewed before the game. Ferdinand answering the question. Sangam = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.9.13/

Asked if he had any opinions on other concepts besides the current striker team and defender team, he replied: "I am satisfied with the current concept. I'm unhappy with the excessive recruitment in the event match. The game will be great, and I want to enjoy it." When asked if he would like to participate in such an event again next year, he answered "Of course".

As for the impact of these event matches on football "The players playing in the game are not as fast as they are in the active roles, but it will be an inspiration for young players. To meet the expectations of my children as well..."

Players who never want to lose when facing one-on-one are "There are players who want to avoid. It was a nightmare when I met Drogba, Henri, Rooney, etc. Above all, it is an honor just to be invited because both teams are players of the times. Today and tomorrow, we will be able to fully appreciate the players who have decorated soccer in an era."

Asked if the newly appointed managers had trained or given any special instructions, Ferdinand replied "No," but is a tactful coach. It is expected that they will prepare specific tactics tomorrow."

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.