LaLiga Legends excite the locals in Tehran

Since the LaLiga Legends expedition touched down in Tehran, things have been going swimmingly. From the city's great gastronomic offerings to the infectious enthusiasm and hospitality of the Iranians, the experience has been fantastic for all parties involved. No matter where these representatives of the Spanish game go, it’s plain to see that LaLiga and its stars are keenly followed by people from all four corners of the globe.

Fernando Sanz, LaLiga's managing director for MENA (Middle East and North Africa), and Gaizka Mendieta, a LaLiga ambassador, headed a delegation from LaLiga that met over the course of the morning with high-ranking representatives of the Iranian Football Association. Gholamreza Behravan, member of the Persian League, stated that "Iranians are passionate about football and need to take lessons from LaLiga, and that’s why we need to work together." Sanz, for his part, voiced his confidence that the LaLiga Legends curtain-raiser in Iran "will be the first of many [LaLiga-related] events in the country."

The LaLiga Legends squad later mingled with the throngs of fans who had turned out to greet them. The public were not about to miss the chance to meet this constellation of stars, from David Albelda to Fernando Morientes, Marcos Senna and Joan Capdevila. After an hour signing autographs, the LaLiga greats set off for the country's tallest building, the Milad Tower. At this iconic setting, they got a taste of the local cuisine at a reception that was attended by the Spanish ambassador to Iran, Eduardo Lopez Busquets, and leading Iranian football officials.

That was the last stop of an action-packed schedule the day before the big LaLiga Legends debut. Today at 15:30 Spanish time, these illustrious former stars will trot back on to the pitch to demonstrate that their class is permanent.