European heavyweights Real Madrid to tackle AC Milan in Dubai Football Challenge

European football's most decorated clubs - Real Madrid and AC Milan - are to meet in a glamour friendly in Dubai on Tuesday, December 30.

The announcement was made at the Dubai headquarters of Emirates Airline, official shirt sponsors for both clubs, on Monday with both Madrid great Emilio Butragueño and Milan legend Franco Baresi present.

While Madrid will be making their first appearance in the UAE, it will be Milan's fourth visit to the emirate after previous friendly matches with Hamburg (2009), Al Ahli (2011) and Paris Saint-Germain (2012).

This year's tie is undoubtedly the biggest to date however, with a capacity 40,000 crowd expected to pack into The Sevens Stadium, home of the Dubai Rugby 7s, for the clash.

Tickets, which are now on sale at Virgin Megastore and Time Out outlets across the UAE, cost from AED200 and are expected to sell out in record time.

Big names Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale will all be in Madrid's squad flying into the UAE for the short winter break and end-of-year friendly.

"This will be the first time Real Madrid has played in Dubai and we're incredibly excited about the opportunity," said Butragueño, who won six La Liga titles in his 11 years with the club.

Milan fans meanwhile, can expect to see the likes of Fernando Torres and Keisuke Honda as Pippo Inzaghi's head to the UAE for a warm weather sojourn during Serie A's winter break.

Baresi, who won three European Cups as Rossoneri captain during a stellar 19-year career with the club, said: “This will be the last game of our winter training camp. We are delighted to come back as we know we always get a warm welcome.”

Hamad Mohammed Bin Mejren, Executive Director of Dubai Convention and Events Bureau at DTCM, a coordinating partner of the Dubai Football Challenge, said: “Welcoming footballing giants Real Madrid and AC Milan to Dubai marks a truly magnificent end to what has been a fantastic year for football.

"Thanks to the World Cup, we have seen the obsession with the beautiful game hit fever pitch amongst locals, expats and visitors alike, so it’s the perfect time to bring this world-class match to the emirate."

Meanwhile, Butragueño refused to comment on media speculation that Madrid are close to sealing the most lucrative sponsorship deal in their history with International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).

Reports had claimed IPIC, which is run by the Abu Dhabi royal family, had agreed a €450-500m deal (Dh2.1-2.4bn) for the naming rights to the club iconic Santiago Bernabeu.

But when asked about the status of any deal, Butragueño said: "We are here to talk about this game and we should focus on that. We have to respect that as well because this game is important for us.

"This is a different matter. I'm sorry [but I can't answer that question]."