Brazil stars welcome trophy to Rio
Monday, February 25, 2008
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Bebeto, Giovane Elber and Mauro Silva were among the guests as the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour enjoyed a successful weekend in Rio de Janeiro.
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Latin flavour
The latest leg of the Trophy Tour, presented by Heineken, saw thousands of fans flock to the Jockey Club in Rio to see European club football's most iconic piece of silverware. The trophy is visiting cities in Argentina, Chile and Mexico on its two-month tour of Latin America, and enjoyed a warm welcome in Rio. Local sports minister Gustavo Cintra attended the opening ceremony where Bebeto, Giovane Elber, Mauro Silva and Paulo Sergio carried the trophy on to the main stage.
Honoured guests
The trophy is the centrepiece of an exhibition featuring footballing memorabilia, the Champions Gallery – a historical overview of the greatest moments in European Champion Clubs' Cup history – and other activities, including the opportunity to be photographed with the prize. Some 6,500 visitors came to the exhibition when it opened to the public on Saturday and Sunday with 1994 FIFA World Cup winner Bebeto and Elber, who won the UEFA Champions League with FC Bayern München in 2001, signing autographs. The UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour moves to Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 6 March then takes in Santiago, Chile, on 15/16 March, Mexico City on 5/6 April and Monterrey, Mexico, on 12/13 April.
