Milan eagerly anticipate their return to the UAE

The seven-time European Cup winners, who play Hamburg SV on 6th January 2009, arrive for their Winter Tour on Monday, 29th December.

The Milan side on its way to Dubai will include the likes of Ballon d'Or winners Kaka, Ronaldinho - both of whom are also FIFA World Player of the Year winners - and Andriy Shevchenko; in addition to Paolo Maldini, Clarence Seedorf and Pato.

The club's stars, who are returning to Dubai for the second consecutive year, are excited at the prospect of returning to the emirate, both for winter training and the Challenge against Hamburg.

"We had such a great time in Dubai last year during our winter training and are really looking forward to coming back to the city again in December to take on Hamburg in the Dubai Football Challenge," said AC Milan midfielder Kaka, the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year.

"It is always a pleasure to train and to compete in such a spectacular city. Also, to play the Challenge in front of such a football-loving public will be a great experience for all of us," he added.

Kaka's Brazilian compatriot, Ronaldinho is also looking forward to the contest, "Having just joined Milan in the summer, this will be my first Dubai Football Challenge. Coming to Dubai for the Winter Tour is something I've been looking forward to a lot. Dubai is such a unique city with so much on offer and I cannot wait to play in front of what I have heard is a very passionate crowd," he said.

While Milan's stars are looking forward to returning to the UAE for the Challenge, the region's football fans have taken little time to demonstrate their passion and enthusiasm for the highly anticipated clash on January 6 by snapping up tickets in rapid fashion.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Senior Vice President Commercial Operations - Gulf, Middle East & Iran, said:

"Emirates is excited that through our sponsorship we are able to bring two of the greatest football teams in the world to Dubai and give UAE football fans the chance to see the world's best players up close. When we first planned our new sports venue, 'The Sevens' it was with the intention of being able to showcase great teams such as AC Milan and Hamburg to the people of the UAE. The Dubai Football Challenge, to be staged on the 6th January, enables us to do just that."

AC Milan's Emirates-sponsored Winter Training Camp will run from 29th December this year to 7th January 2009, with their clash against Hamburg SV taking place on Tuesday, 6th January. Kickoff will be at 7pm at Emirates' sports venue, The Sevens, on the Al Ain Road.

Emirates currently serves Italy with daily non-stop flights to Rome, Milan and Venice, with the commitment to the Italian market becoming ever stronger from 1st January when the airline launches its second daily non-stop service to Milan.