Icons Match in Seoul: Legends' Attack Falls to Defenders as Shield United Win 2-1
Gareth Bale, Ronaldinho, Wayne Rooney and other attacking greats featured for FC Spear but were undone by a Rafa Benitez-led Shield United defence
Shield United, marshalled by former Real Madrid and Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, came from behind to beat FC Spear 2-1 in the Nexon Icons Match in Seoul on Saturday, denying a star-studded attacking line-up that included Gareth Bale, Ronaldinho and Wayne Rooney.
The charity exhibition pitted a collection of celebrated attackers against a side of renowned defenders in front of a strong crowd of South Korean supporters. FC Spear took the lead through Wayne Rooney on 72 minutes, but Maicon levelled with a header before Johoo Park fired the late winner after latching onto a flick from John Arne Riise to seal Shield United's second consecutive victory in the event.
The match began at a measured pace as the former professionals, some carrying the toll of time on their legs, sought to find rhythm. Ronaldinho, now 45, produced one of the game's most eye-catching moments in the first half when he slipped past former AC Milan team-mate Alessandro Nesta and struck an effort that came back off the crossbar.
After the interval FC Spear pushed forward with increased intensity. Kaka fashioned a curling strike in the 55th minute that looked destined for the top corner before Iker Casillas tipped it over. Seventeen minutes later Eden Hazard robbed Ashley Cole of possession and found Rooney, whose long-range strike beat Casillas to give FC Spear a 1-0 lead.
Shield United responded with a defensive display underscoring the team's moniker. Former Brazil right-back Maicon headed home to draw the defenders level, and Johoo Park — a former Borussia Dortmund defender turned scorer for Benitez's side — finished the contest in the closing stages with a low effort past FC Spear goalkeeper Bumyoung Lee.
The fixture featured numerous well-known names on both teams. Shield United's backline included Alessandro Nesta, Claude Makelele, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Gilberto Silva and John Arne Riise, while FC Spear's attacking contingent featured Bastian Schweinsteiger, Wayne Rooney, Franck Ribery, Kaka, Steven Gerrard, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry and Gareth Bale. Former AC Milan team-mates Clarence Seedorf and Ronaldinho were noted among the participants, and former Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio also appeared for the defensive side.
Several former Manchester United players were involved in Seoul, with Nemanja Vidic, Michael Carrick, Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park among those present. The match reprised last year's contest in which Shield United ran out 4-1 winners.
For Gareth Bale the appearance marked a brief return to playing two years after he retired from professional football in January 2023, shortly after captaining Wales at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Bale, who finished his club career with five Champions League titles and three LaLiga crowns with Real Madrid and was twice named PFA Player of the Year while at Tottenham, has also moved into media work this year. He was confirmed as part of the TNT Sports punditry line-up this summer and has been linked in reports with potential ownership interests back in his native Wales.
The Icons Match is designed as a light-hearted showcase and fan event, offering supporters the chance to see generations of players together on one pitch. While the game included moments of individual skill, such as Ronaldinho's run and Kaka's curling effort, it ultimately highlighted the cohesion and organisation of a defence-heavy Shield United side that held firm late to secure victory.
Substitutions and playing time were managed to reflect the event's exhibition nature, and the fixture proceeded without any notable injuries reported. The Nexon Icons Match returns the spotlight to football's retired greats and ex-professionals, pairing entertainment with nostalgia as fans in Asia continue to embrace high-profile fixtures featuring global stars.