Magic feel to birthday bash

Basketball hero Magic Johnson will take part in Real Madrid's 100th birthday celebrations by playing in a match with the club’s basketballers.

Real Madrid will take on an all-star North American team to celebrate the Spanish club's centenary, which falls on March 6 2002 - part of the proceeds from the tie will be donated to AIDS charities.

The former LA Lakers and USA Olympic star is one of the biggest names in basketball, along with Michael Jordan while Real's basketball team are one of the best in Europe.

Real's board of directors met on Wednesday evening to discuss other events planned for their birthday year.

Also confirmed is a special tribute match to the man considered to be Real Madrid's greatest ever player, Alfredo Di Stéfano.

Real will take on a World select 11 with takings also going to charity, this time to the fight against drugs.

As well as football and basketball, Real will be celebrating other sports with organized events concerning golf, tennis, cycling and skiing in the pipeline.