Final preparations are underway for a July 6 event at Chicago’s Soldier Field, bringing together top soccer talents from around the globe for a match that will raise money for the charity spearheaded by international superstar Lionel Messi. The match is set to begin at 6 p.m. CDT.

“I am happy that this upcoming event is coming together, and am glad I can be a part of it,”said Messi in a recent statement. While a similar match scheduled for Los Angeles earlier in the week was canceled due to irreconcilable issues with the local promoter, the Chicago event is officially confirmed to continue as planned and is being independently organized.

In addition to the four-time Ballon d’Or winner as FIFA’s most valuable player, the event will feature:

Pablo Aimar	Argentina	Benfica
Carlos Bocanegra	USA	Chivas USA
Jose de Jesus Corona	Mexico	Cruz Azul
Thierry Henry	France	New York Red Bulls
Ezequiel Lavezzi	Argentina	Paris Saint-Germain
Florent Malouda	France	Chelsea
Ariel Ortega	Argentina	Defensores de Belgrano (retired)
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo	Argentina	Roma
Julio Cesar Soares	Brazil	Queens Park Rangers
Santiago Solari	Argentina	Peñarol (retired)
Alex Song	Cameroon	Barcelona
Gerardo Torrado	Mexico	Cruz Azul
John Viafara	Colombia	Independente Medellin

Russian national team manager Fabio Capello and Arthur Antunes Coimbra (better known as Zico), former manager of CSKA Moscow and the national teams from Iraq and Japan, will be the all-star coaches. The match will also feature a unique opportunity for five stars from the 2011 and 2012 Big Ten Champion Northwestern University men’s soccer team. Gerardo Alvarez, Gerardo Blades, Mark Eliason, Brandon Medina and David Roth will take the field with the international superstars at this Saturday’s game.

Fans interested in tour packages, including staying at the same hotel as the players, can go to www.messichicago.com. The official site for the friendly includes special arrangements with the Hyatt properties in Chicago. Hyatt is an official sponsor for the July 6 event.

Messi and Friends vs. the World is a special international showcase in support of the Leo Messi Foundation and its ongoing initiative to help sick and at-risk Argentine children access opportunities to lead full, healthy lives. The charity was founded in 2007 by Lionel Messi, the highly decorated international soccer sensation. In 2010 UNICEF named Messi a goodwill ambassador, focused on supporting children’s rights.

This year will be world soccer all-star Lionel Messi’s first Father’s Day as a new dad, having welcomed his son Thiago into the world this past November. In recognition Messi & Friends vs. the World, the soccer friendly that will bring more than three dozen of the world’s top players to Chicago’s Soldier Field, is announcing a Father’s Day special that provides affordable ticket options for the July 6 event.

With the announcement of new ticket prices, the hope is that families consider tickets to this showcase as a unique Father’s Day present.

Effective immediately, tickets are available at a variety of ranges from $28.50 up to $400, based on location. Tickets and hotel packages are available at www.messichicago.com.

“This event will feature the world’s greatest players in a festival of soccer, the most popular sport on the planet,” said Sergio Codino, vice president of Numero 5, LLC, the match’s organizer. “With today’s announcement, we hope more fathers and their children will be able to access this once-in-a-lifetime event.”

In addition to the four-time Ballon D’Or winner, other stars confirmed to attend include Robert Lewandowski, Cesc Fabregas, Giovani dos Santos, Thierry Henry and David Luiz, among others.

Messi and Friends benefits the Leo Messi Foundation in its ongoing initiative to help sick and at-risk Argentine children access opportunities to lead full, healthy lives. The charity was founded in 2007 by the highly decorated international soccer sensation. In 2010 UNICEF named Messi a goodwill ambassador, focused on supporting children’s rights.

Headlining Sponsor El Padrino Spirits, Inc., LIVE and Todo Dias Entertainment are set to host international footballer Lionel Messi and 25 of the world’s top soccer players in a once in a lifetime match, Battle of the Stars: Messi and Friends vs. The Rest of the World at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on July 3, 2013 at ­­­7:30 p.m. PT. Tickets for this highly anticipated match are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com.

Battle of the Stars brings together a World Cup worthy group of 26 of the top football players from all corners of the globe to Los Angeles for a one time only, all-out battle of superstars. The Messi and Friends team is led by world famous Argentinean footballer Lionel Messi, and features Cameroonian National team central defender Alex Song, defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets of the Spanish national team and fan favorites Javier Mascherano of Barcelona and goalkeeper José Manuel Pinto also of Barcelona. The Rest of the World team is fronted by Olympic Gold Medalist and attacking midfielder Giovani Dos Santos, along with Manchester City favorite Sergio Kun Aguero, Brazil National team winger Robinho and Cruz Azul team captain Gerardo Torrado.

“Experience a memorable game with the best stars from around the world!”-Lionel Messi

Complete roster of players:

Messi And Friends team - Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Busquets, Alex Song, Javier Mascherano, José Manuel Pinto, Eric Abidal, Pablo Aimar, Marek Hamsik, Alvaro Pereira, Walter Gargano, DT Fabio Capello, and Gerald Pique;

The Rest of the World team - Robinho, Giovani Dos Santos, Gerardo Torrado, Jesus Corona, Johnatan Dos Santos, Marco Fabiàn, James Rodriguez, Kevin Boateng, Antonio Cassano, Robert Lewandowski, Emiliano Insua, DT Zico, and Sergio Kun Aguero.

With his 20th professional championship secured, Lionel Messi’s focus can shift to his summer schedule, including the upcoming Messi & Friends Versus the Rest of the World, the soccer all-star exhibition set to take place Saturday, July 6 at Chicago’s Soldier Field.  Sources close to Messi confirmed today that his minor hamstring injury will not deter him from participating in the upcoming event, which is will feature more than 36 all-stars from around the globe. MessiChicago.com is the official site for information on the upcoming friendly.

“I am happy that this event is coming together so well, and am glad I can still be a part of it,” said the four-time World Player of the Year recipient. “I’m looking forward to being in the great city of Chicago during America’s Independence Day weekend and adding to the celebration with an event that will include many of the greatest players from around the world. You should be there too!”

As the July 6 date approaches, final details for the friendly continue to be released. Numero 5, the organizers of the event, announced recently that Poland national team striker Robert Lewandowski has joined the roster for the match. Lewandowski will be joined by Cesc Fabregas, Giovani dos Santos, Thierry Henry and David Luiz, among others.

Numero 5 also announced that they have established official media partnerships with Telemundo Chicago, Comcast and NBC Chicago. Additionally, El Patron 95.5 FM, ESPN Deportes 97.5 FM and KISS FM 103.5, have agreements as the official radio partners.

Fans interested in tickets and tour packages, including staying at the same hotel as the players, can go to www.messichicago.com. The site includes special arrangements with the Hyatt properties in Chicago. Hyatt is an official sponsor of Messi & Friends.

Messi and Friends vs. the Rest of the World is a special international showcase in support of the Leo Messi Foundation and its ongoing initiative to help sick and at-risk Argentine children access opportunities to lead full, healthy lives. The charity was founded in 2007 by Lionel Messi, the highly decorated international soccer sensation. In 2010 UNICEF named Messi a goodwill ambassador, focused on supporting children’s rights.