Real Madrid’s 2003 trip to Hong Kong recalled as Fernando Morientes returns – and meets goalkeeper who kept him scoreless
- Having played in the city alongside Beckham, Zidane and Figo, he visits again as La Liga ambassador – and has reunion with ex-Hong Kong goalkeeper Fan Chun-yip
- The former Real, Liverpool and Spain star says players moving to Saudi Arabia ‘is not unhealthy’ at the end of their careers
Hong Kong holds a special place in the heart of former Real Madrid star Fernando Morientes, who made one of his first preseason trips with the Spanish giants to the city in 2003.
The striker was part of Real’s squad of “galacticos” who visited the city as it was recovering from the Sars pandemic.
Back in town in his capacity as an ambassador for La Liga Football Schools, the 47-year-old said he had “special memories” of the trip, which saw the star-studded Real side take on an Invitational XI in a friendly.
“The 2003 trip was one of the first preseasons that we did abroad and therefore I always have some special memories,” Morientes told the Post via a translator.
Real brought the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, David Beckham, Luis Figo and Raul to play in front of 40,000 at Hong Kong Stadium.
Morientes came on in the second half against a joint side of Hong Kong and China players, as was ex-Hong Kong goalkeeper Fan Chun-yip, and the pair had the chance to reunite on Sunday at the training centre in Tseung Kwan O.