Michael Essien: Ghana midfielder to play at Samuel Eto'o Charity game

A charity match coordinated by Samuel Eto'o will be held in Antalya, Turkey, on July 16, featuring a whole host of household footballing names.

The game will feature football's biggest names with Michael Essien , Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Neymar, Eden Hazard and Neymar all expected to turn up for the event.

Top coaches such as Jose Mourinho, Fabio Capello and even Diego Maradona are also invited to the occasion. Read more: Panathinaikos to offload midfielder for Mubarak Wakaso

Apparently there had been some fears that the match would be canceled in light of the recent terror attack at the airport in Istanbul, but Eto'o's charity organization has released a statement confirming that there's been no change of plans.

"The Eto'o Charity All Star vs Turkish Stars charity game involving Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Maradona, Eden Hazard, Totti, Michael Essien, Xavi, JayJay Okocha, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Iniesta and Arda Turan will go ahead at the Antalya Arena on 16 July. The game will not be cancelled it will go ahead."

-source: Turkish Football
The event is set to be held for the tenth anniversary of the charity presided over by the former Barcelona forward.

The charity game will be the first of its kind by Eto'o in Turkey and will allow Antalyaspor to showcase their new stadium and facilities.

Eto'o has his own charitable organisation the 'Fundacion Privada Samuel Eto'o,' which was established in 2006.

The organisation helps provide basic healthcare and works on improving social inclusion and will become 10 years old later this month.

Eto'o has had an illustrious playing career winning two Champions League and three La Liga titles at Barcelona as well as the treble - including the Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup - at Inter.