18 May 2024 – Organised by SJM Resorts, S.A., the highly anticipated five-a-side football friendly is on the horizon. Captained by legendary former FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or winner Luis Figo, a group of esteemed football stars from the golden era of Portuguese football have arrived in Macau earlier and kicked-off a series of pre-match activities to engage with the community.

On the afternoon of 18 May, SJM specially arranged for the football stars to tour Macau in an open-top bus, allowing them to experience the city’s splendour as a “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure,” and interact with both locals and tourists. The open-top bus tour followed a scenic route that included several renowned landmarks in Macau, such as Lotus Square, Grand Lisboa Macau, and Hotel Lisboa Macau, with local fans eagerly waited and greeted the football stars upon their arrival to the major sites, while also attracting a large crowd of residents and tourists.

The football stars fully enjoyed the bus tour, appreciating the unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures in Macau and the warm spirit of its people. Luis Figo commented, “I find it most interesting to see the blend of Portuguese influence in Macau’s architecture. Many locals also greeted us in Portuguese, it makes me feel right at home.”

Bosingwa also expressed his admiration for Macau’s charm as an international tourist destination. “I am very impressed by the harmonious coexistence of traditional and modern elements. The fusion of Chinese and Western cultures, architecture, and lifestyle is really unique.”

Mr. Sou, a local resident, excitedly expressed, “I eagerly arrived at Lotus Square early to catch the parade and I am beyond thrilled to meet these legendary football players up close and collect their autographs.”

Co-organised by the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, supported by Macao Government Tourism Office, and technically supported by the Macao Football Association, the highly anticipated “In Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of Macao SAR: SJM Five-a-side Football Friendly: Portugal Icons vs. GBA Flying Dragon” is scheduled to commence this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. at the Macao East Asian Games Dome. The match will showcase the talents of football players from the esteemed Portuguese Icons team, who will face off against the GBA Flying Dragon team, comprised of players from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hong Kong All Stars Sports Association, promising an exciting display of skill and sportsmanship.