Members of The World Legends celebrate as Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (back row, fifth left) hands over the trophy after the soccer match between The World Legends and The Hong Kong Legends for the FWD Insurance Chinese New Year Cup at Hong Kong Stadium on Feb 13, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG – World-class football stars lifted the Chinese New Year Cup on Tuesday beating the Hong Kong Legends 7-3 to the cheer of thousands of fans at Hong Kong Stadium.

Seventeen invited stars of The World Legends showed their skills during the match that won rounds of applause from the audience of over 20,000, coupled with stunning goals.

The hundred-year-old tournament, sponsored by FWD Insurance and co-organized by the Football Association of Hong Kong, China, returned to Hong Kong after a hiatus of four years

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu handed over the award later in the evening.

READ MORE: World football stars in HK for Chinese New Year Cup

David James, Carles Puyol, Ballon d’Or winner Rivaldo, Gaizka Mendieta, David Villa, Alessandro Del Piero, Juan Veron, Ricardo Carvalho, Francesco Totti, Marco Materazzi and Mikaël Silvestre were among those in the World Legends line-up, with Julio Cesar, Sami Hyypiä, Robert Pires, Fernando Morientes, Wesley Sneijder and Tiago Mendes as substitutes.

Just 10 minutes into the match, Rivaldo opened the score. He scored again just before the end of the first half. Villa struck twice in the second half. Totti, Mendieta, Pires each secured a goal. 

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Of Hong Kong Legends, Leung Chun-pong scored first in the second half. 

Lee Hong-lim and Christian Kwesi Annan added a goal each before the final whistle. 

The hundred-year-old tournament, sponsored by FWD Insurance and co-organized by the Football Association of Hong Kong, China, returned to Hong Kong after a hiatus of four years.