Real Madrid vs. AC Milan Friendly Announced for Dubai's Sevens Stadium

Real Madrid and AC Milan are set to see the new year in with a glamour friendly match in Dubai's Sevens Stadium. The fixture has been set for Dec. 30 and marks the Spanish club's debut in the developing United Arab Emirates city.

Emirates Airlines provided confirmation of the European heavyweight clash:

Los Blancos icon Emilio Butragueno and Milan hero Franco Baresi attended a press conference confirming the event, reported by Chris McHardy of Yahoo. UAE-based sports reporter Reem Abulleil also noted their attendance with a tweet:

European sides are used to travelling across the globe during pre-season. A friendly match during the winter break will concern many—the European schedule is already hectic enough for many players who competed at the 2014 World Cup—but both teams will utilise this fixture as an opportunity to develop their brand on the Asian market.

Marco Vasini/Associated Press

The Sevens Stadium will play host to the encounter, which sees Milan return to Dubai for the fourth time in five years. Their last visit came against Paris Saint-Germain in 2012, as clubs sponsored by the Dubai-owned Emirates Airline company face one another.

Both Madrid and Milan will enter the stadium with the company's name splashed across their chest, an occurrence that is becoming increasingly regular for top European sides.

Tickets are expected to sell in "record time," according to McHardy. The Sevens Stadium maxes out at 40,000 spectators—a fraction of the number these sides are used to playing in front of—but the spectacle is sure to be an enticing one.

Hamad Mohammed Bin Mejren, executive director of Dubai Convention and Events Bureau at DTCM, spoke of the excitement that is likely to surround such a fixture, per McHardy:

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Welcoming footballing giants Real Madrid and AC Milan to Dubai marks a truly magnificent end to what has been a fantastic year for football. Thanks to the World Cup, we have seen the obsession with the beautiful game hit fever pitch amongst locals, expats and visitors alike, so it’s the perfect time to bring this world-class match to the emirate."

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Stephen Hindley/Associated Press

Stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Stephan El Shaarawy are likely to make an appearance in the Dubai Football Challenge contest. Cast your mind back to the summer, which saw teams such as Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool tour America during pre-season, to note the popularity of the elite sides away from Europe.

The eyes of the football world are due to turn toward Asia for Qatar's 2022 World Cup. A winter tournament is being considered due to the unplayable summer heat, although German FIFA executive committee member Theo Zwanziger was recently quoted saying the competition "will not take place in Qatar," reported by Martyn Ziegler of the Press Association and via the Daily Mail.

Madrid's match with Milan will serve as a useful tester during the winter date. While it certainly makes sense to stage the World Cup away from potentially dangerous temperatures, a winter tournament threatens to upset the European club season well beyond the four weeks in which it takes place.

Considering teams need to embark on training camps, friendly matches and rest after the World Cup, it seems Qatar is a strange choice to settle on from Sepp Blatter and his associates. Dubai is likely to receive plenty of positive attention however, as Madrid and Milan prepare to entertain.

These fixtures are often interesting due to the lack of pressure on each star, meaning they can enjoy greater freedom and expression in their play. Colombian World Cup hero James Rodriguez is likely to be a headline-maker after his popularity burst into life due to his fantastic showings at the Brazilian tournament. He is precisely the kind of player the crowd will pay AED200 (approximately £33) to see, per McHardy.

Although question marks remain as to whether Asia will hold its second World Cup, Dubai appears an excellent setting for two of the sport's most coveted sides to do battle.