India, April 5 -- With a big smile, Fernando Morientes announced, hand on heart: "I'm 25".

The former Spain striker, often a late intervention for Real Madrid, soaked in the applause to celebrate his 48th birthday in a Mumbai hotel on Saturday. The Morientes who sat at the front of the room had a few more grey hairs and wrinkles compared to the image of him from his playing days that was in the backdrop. As did former Portuguese defender Pepe, Brazil's 2002 World Cup winner Edmilson and former Argentina forward Javier Saviola sitting beside him.

The quartet were attending a media conference a day ahead of a 'legends El Clasico derby', between former players of Real Madrid and Barcelona who had featured in the real deal. The game will ta...