Hoping to score with soccer stars

A number of pavilions in the Expo Garden are making plans to invite their national soccer stars to the Expo following the World Cup finals.

Brazil, the winner of the most World Cups with stars like Kaka, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, is at the forefront of the initiative.

"There will be a series of sports activities in September at the Brazil pavilion. We're making contact with the Brazilian government to invite soccer stars for the events," said Liu Jun, PR coordinator with the Brazil pavilion. However, he didn't say who the players might be.

Argentina is also hoping to entice some of its stars to Shanghai.

"Lionel Messi has been on our top invite list since the beginning of Expo 2010 Shanghai. We can't promise anything yet, but we're trying to make it come true," said Martin Garcta Moritan, the commissioner-general of the Argentina pavilion.

He said there would be updated and more detailed information by next week.

Messi, 23, plays for Barcelona, and is considered one of the best footballers of his generation.

The European Union pavilion has confirmed the appearance of Union of European Football Associations President Michel Platini. The former French star player will bring a European "dream team" with him in September as part of a European Football Festival week to be held at the Expo.

They all-star team will play a friendly game against a veteran Chinese team at the Expo Culture Center. The game will be free to all visitors at the Expo Garden, who will have the opportunity to win signed gifts from the players.
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