Roma To Join Real Madrid, Manchester City For International Champions Cup 2015 In Australia

CRISTIANO Ronaldo and Sergio Aguero in 2015. Lionel Messi and Diego Costa in 2016?
The star-studded tournament which has Real Madrid and Manchester City playing at the MCG next July, will be hosted annually in Australia until 2018.
Francesco Totti’s Roma has been confirmed as the third and final touring team for the 2015 International Champions Cup (ICC).
The Italians will open the tournament against Real Madrid on July 18, before facing Manchester City on July 21.
The mega clash between City and Real will close the event on July 24.
The Herald Sun understands organisers Nine Live and TLA Worldwide have signed a four-year deal to host the ICC in Australia and the Victorian government will get the chance to extend its one-year deal.
European powerhouses Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Juventus, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Inter Milan and Olympiacos are among the clubs set to play at the MCG in coming years.
Organisers were close to locking in Inter but in the end opted for title-chasing Roma.
Roma legend Totti will headline a star-studded, youthful side which is 15 points ahead of Inter on the Serie A table, and three behind leaders Juventus.
Totti, who scored the penalty that knocked the Socceroos out of the 2006 World Cup, will play on next season and is plotting to catch Silvio Piola as Serie A’s top scorer.
The 38-year-old trails Piola’s tally of 274 goals by 39 and will soon overtake goalkeeping legend Dino Zoff as the fourth most-capped player in Italy’s top flight.
Former Arsenal attacker Gervinho is starring at Roma, along with Dutchman Kevin Strootman, Miralem Pjanic, Daniele De Rossi, Adem Ljajic and former Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole.
Australian football’s rising star Daniel De Silva is joining Roma at the end of the season after they signed him from Perth Glory and loaned him back to the A-League leaders for the season.
In a wonderful prelude, Roma hosts Manchester City on Thursday morning (AEDT) with the second and final spot in the UEFA Champions League group behind Bayern Munich up for grabs.
“For seven days in July next year, Melbourne will be the centre of the football world,’’ Victorian Tourism, Major Events and Sports Minister John Eren said.
“I am proud that Victoria will be the exclusive host for this exciting tournament, which will deliver strong returns for tourism, major events and sport. The ICC is estimated to deliver approximately $50 million in economic impact, and broadcast images of the iconic MCG to 150 countries worldwide.’’