Ronaldo and Zidane are Goodwill Ambassadors for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and are putting together a team of famous players for a friendly match at the Hamburg Arena against an all-star side from Hamburger SV. These top players include Fabio Cannavaro, Luís Figo, Pavel Nedvěd and Didier Drogba, Jörg Albertz, Sergej Barbarez and Richard Golz.

There were more than 24,000 fans in Hamburg as the ninth Match Against Poverty, raised money in support of people in need in the Horn of Africa.

Ronaldo and Zidane, Goodwill Ambassadors for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), headed the UNDP team beat a Hamburger SV all-star side 5-4 at the Hamburg Arena on Tuesday night.

“Every year we meet for one reason: this year we came together and played for Africa,” said Ronaldo. “And we are happy transmit such an important message to the world, that we have to continue to help and support.” Ronaldo and Zidane are delighted to turn the motion into the strength to help the people in crisis.

“I think the message has got through,” added Zidane. “It's always interesting to know that people are coming for this great cause – they don't come to see a great game, but they know why they are here. That's the most important thing. The message today is again to say that there are problems everywhere, and the fact we are godfathers and we are here, we are making people more aware.”

"To participate is great – to create funds which we can contribute to with a spectacle by getting on the pitch, playing football, having fun, and people seeing us play again," said former Portugal defender Fernando Couto. “For us, it also means we can see old friends again, team-mates and at the same time play football, which is something we enjoy a lot.”

These players do this for charity, the fans or the people come to see the stars. That’s a great thing. Football unites many people, and the players – old friends unite together to fight the poverty and crisis for the people in Africa. That’s so wonderful.

Ex-France keeper Fabien Barthez stressed that the most important thing is the education of everyone, more than the sporting education. “On the pitch we always fought, competed against each other, but in the end we are only footballers. It's good to meet each other again, and we knew that in this world that is becoming more and more difficult, we can bring our little touch.” He said.

The annual Match Against Poverty tries to lead the public to fight against poverty and promote action on the UN's Millennium Development Goals – eight internationally agreed goals designed to end extreme poverty worldwide by 2015.