I. Metshin and the legends of world football opened the Confederations Cup Park in Kazan

(KZN.RU, May 13, Anton Nozdrin). The Park of the Cup Confederations-2017 opened in Kazan with the participation of legends of world football. Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of the Tatarstan’s capital, Ronaldinho, the world champion in football, winner of the Confederations Cup, the best footballer of the world in 2004 and 2005 by the FIFA, ex-player of Barcelona and Milan, Jay Jay Okocha, the ex-midfielder of Nigeria, winner of the African Nations Cup and Olympic champion, as well as Alexei Smertin, the former captain of the Russian national football team, ambassador of the World Cup-2018, and Elmira Kalimullina, the ambassador of the World Cup-2018 from Kazan, took part in the event.

Before the opening of the Confederation Cup Park, Ronaldinho and Jay Jay Okocha together with Ilsur Metshin had an excursion in the stadium “Kazan Arena” and the Kazan Kremlin. The guests were told about the features of the new 45 thousandth stadium, the major international events, and significant matches of the upcoming matches of the Confederations Cup and the World Cup. The players admired the beauty of the architectural ensemble of the Kazan Kremlin and walked on the territory of the reserve-museum.

Numerous inhabitants of the city gathered near the Central Stadium at the opening of the park. The appearance of famous football players on the stage caused an ovation among the citizens of Kazan. Today, without exaggeration, everyone who came to the park was sincerely glad to see the legendary players. Ronaldinho in the company with the wolf Zabivaka, the mascot of the World Cup-2018, brought the cup, a trophy that would be given to the team-winner of the tournament.

During the opening ceremony, I. Metshin marked that it is a great honor and responsibility to receive the world's outstanding football players in Kazan. “A big football festival comes to Kazan. We will take the Confederations Cup just in a month, and a year later - the World Cup”, the Mayor addressed the Kazan citizens. I. Metshin noted that Kazan will be the host city of the tournament and wished success to all teams. “I urge the Kazan citizens to support the tournament, to present the capital of Tatarstan as the most hospitable city among all the organizing cities”, said the Mayor.

Ronaldinho thanked the citizens of Kazan for the warm welcome. “It's a very beautiful city, I'm happy to be here”, he noted. Also, the former player of the Brazilian national football team shared his emotions about participation in the Confederations Cup and the World Cup. “I was lucky to participate in both tournaments and win them. These are indescribable emotions and happiness”, said Ronaldinho and invited everyone to become spectators of these competitions. Jay Jay Okocha confirmed the words of the Brazilian. “Like Ronaldinho, I participated in the Confederations Cup. Unfortunately, we were not able to win but it was a fantastic experience”, said the Olympic champion. Also, the ex-midfielder of the Nigerian national team shared his thoughts on the tournament's favorite. “All the teams that will participate in the cup are champions of their continents. Whoever receives the trophy will undoubtedly deserve it”.

After that, the head of the city officially opened the Park of the Confederations Cup. Together with the Mayor of Kazan, Ronaldinho said the cherished words “The Park is opened” in Russian.

The park will operate in Kazan on May 13 and 14. Interesting contests await visitors, as well as football rides, multimedia quizzes with the opportunity to win prizes and took a picture together with the wolf Zabivaka, the official mascot of the FIFA World Cup-2018. Also, a draw of tickets for the matches of the tournament in Kazan will be held in the park. The Confederations Cup will be held in Russia in the summer of 2017. The capital of Tatarstan will host 4 games of the tournament. On June 18 at 18.00, the match between Portugal and Mexico will take place; on June 22 at 21.00, the game will be held between the national teams of Germany and Chile; on June 24 at 18.00, teams of Mexico and Russia will play; on June 28 at 21.00, the semifinal match of the cup will begin. All matches will be held at the stadium “Kazan Arena”.