David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and More to Feature in UNICEF Charity Match

The stars will collide next month after it was announced former Real Madrid icons Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham will lead teams in a charity match pitting a World XI against the best of Great Britain and Ireland.

Beckham will reunite with ex-Manchester United mentor Sir Alex Ferguson, who will manage the British and Irish XI when they face some of the biggest names in the sport at Old Trafford on Saturday, November 14, per BBC Sport.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Zidane's World XI will be managed by three-time Champions League-winning manager Carlo Ancelotti, with six-time Best Referee of the Year winner Pierluigi Collina officiating the fixture.

Profits from the match will be donated to children's charity UNICEF, for whom Beckham is an ambassador. He recently explained the reasons behind the star-studded fixture, via Manchester United's official website:

"

I want a world where children can grow up safe from violence, free from poverty and protected from preventable diseases. This match gives me the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and vital funds to help reach the children who need it most. I am delighted that my friend Zizou will join me in leading two teams, full of our friends and team-mates, at the best stadium in the world.

"

The BBC report claims Beckham personally asked Ferguson to edge ever so slightly out of retirement in order to lead his side at the Theatre of Dreams in what's sure to be a nostalgic occasion for any Red Devils fans in attendance.

Once upon a time, Zidane and Beckham were a part of the same Galacticos lineup at the Bernabeu, a team the official Real Madrid Twitter account recently lauded as "legends":

But despite all the world-class talent present in that squad, the 2003 Spanish Super Cup was the only title Beckham and Zidane claimed during their three-year spell as team-mates.

It's been more than 12 years since Beckham departed Old Trafford for Real Madrid in 2003, an exit attributed to a falling out between him and Ferguson that culminated in the infamous boot-kicking incident, per BBC Sport.

And after all that anticipation, Beckham's return to his old stomping ground clearly has fans roused after the Manchester Evening News reported United's ticketing website was overloaded by those looking to attend:

Two years have passed since Fergie took his leave of the United helm after 26 years with the club, but the locals will be delighted to see their hallowed former leader return for a one-off fixture.

Old controversies were recently opened up after Ferguson failed to include Beckham in the list of "world-class" players he's managed in his latest book, Leading. However, Beckham holds no grudges, he told the BBC (via ESPN FC):

"

Not at all. I played for the greatest manager of all time. I was lucky to play with the players that I did and be successful with the club I love. I tend to agree with the manager because there are certain players that you can call world class and thankfully I played with many of them.

I was proud as a Manchester United player that we were successful and I'm proud as a Manchester United player that we have the best players come to our team.

"

No news has emerged yet with regard to who Beckham and Zidane will field in their respective lineups, but the pulling power of two such high-profile players is sure to draw in a host of celebrated names.

With Ferguson and Ancelotti managing the two teams and UNICEF providing a great cause for the charity fixture, the stage is set for a memorable meeting between some of football's biggest figures at Old Trafford.