BANGKOK, Feb 19: French football legend Zinedine Zidane, whose career ended with an infamous head-butt in last year's World Cup final, will play a charity match this weekend in Thailand, organisers said Monday.

Zidane will play alongside southeast Asian stars in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai on Saturday, corporate sponsor Adidas Thailand said in a statement.

The French striker will play for 20 minutes in the first half with one side, and then switch sides to play for 20 minutes in the second half for the opposing team, the statement said.

Among the Asian players joining the match are Thai star Piyapong Pue-On, as well as his compatriot Kiatisak “Zico” Senamuang, it said.

Other players will come from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, it added.

“Donations will be collected at the match to raise money for an AIDS charity in Chiang Mai,” the statement said, adding that there would be no charge for admission.

Zidane ended his career with a head-butt on Marco Materazzi in last year's World Cup final in Germany, when Italy went on to defeat France 5-3 on penalties after the match had finished level at 1-1.

Zidane, who retired after the game, had put France ahead with a penalty kick before Materazzi headed the equaliser.—AFP

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