President Erdoğan, Messi ready for charity match in southern Turkey's Antalya province


About 33,000 spectators are expected at a charity football match being organized in southern Turkey by Cameroonian footballer Samuel Eto'o, a foundation said on Saturday.

Antalya province will welcome a host of global football stars-including Lionel Messi, Neymar and Eden Hazard-to support health and education work for children in Africa, according to Eto'o's Private Foundation.

"The match, which will be played with the support of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is expected to make a significant impact on Turkish tourism. About 33,000 people will view the match," a statement from organizers added.

Luis Suarez, Diego Maradona, Francesco Totti, Michael Essien, Xavi, JayJay Okocha, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Turkish star Arda Turan will also take part in the July 16 event.

Eto'o-who currently plays for Turkish team Antalyaspor-is a former Real Madrid and Barcelona star.

Founded in 2006, the Samuel Eto'o Private Foundation was created as a non-profit organization operating mainly in West Africa.