Ajax marketing director Edwin van der Sar says his club are honoured to be involved in this year's Real Madrid legends end-of-season charity game.
The Corazon Classic Match 2016 between a team of Real Madrid Legends and Ajax Legends takes place on Sunday, June 5, at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu -- and will also serve as a tribute to recently deceased Netherlands and Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff.
Former players expected to feature on either side, according to unconfirmed preliminary reports in the Spanish media, include current Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, Fernando Hierro, Raul Gonzalez, Guti and Santi Solari for Madrid, with Van der Sar, Ronald Boer and Marc Overmars for Ajax, plus Clarence Seedorf, who won the Champions League with both teams.
The ex-Ajax and Manchester United goalkeeper, now back as part of the Eredivisie club's off-field hierarchy, told reporters at the at the Bernabeu launch event that he personally was very much looking forward the day.
"It is a great honour for Ajax to come here," Van der Sar said. "I played here four years ago with Manchester United. I remember there were many people in the stands. It is a fantastic benefit work by Real Madrid."
Madrid's foundation organises the Classic Corazon Match each year -- with previous guests at the Bernabeu having included AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Juventus, Inter Milan and Liverpool. Tickets for this year's game start at €5 with the proceeds going to local charity Caritas España.
When Cruyff died of lung cancer on March 24 at the age of 68, his passing mourned by many in the world of football, with Madrid president Florentino Perez personally travelling to the Camp Nou to pay his respects.
Perez was also present at Friday's launch event, where the Blancos club chief said the game showcase the values his club represents, and again paid tribute to Cruyff.
"Real Madrid have a commitment to solidarity and values which makes us be on the side of the most vulnerable in our society," the millionaire construction magnate said.
"The Classic Match has become a tradition in this stadium, a ground full of commitment. Real Madrid will take on the legends of Ajax, a formidable team with a unique culture in the world of football and sport.
"Furthermore, Ajax saw be born one of this sport's legends, who unfortunately left us recently. This game will serve to remember the mythical and eternal figure of Johan Cruyff."
While Perez did not comment about ongoing controversy over Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema's latest injuries, he did say he was hopeful all at the club would come together for next Tuesday's Champions League semifinal second leg at home to Manchester City.
"Next week we will feel this emotion, seeing our players and our fans united in chasing another European dream," he said. "We will give the maximum -- both on the pitch and in the stands."