GROZNY, Russia — Some of Brazil's biggest soccer stars of the past have arrived in Chechnya for a friendly game against a team led by the Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov.

Cafu, Dunga and Romario were among the players who traveled to Chechnya, a republic in southern Russia that still struggles against an Islamic insurgency after two separatist wars in the past 16 years.

Kadyrov insists the Brazilians are not being paid for Tuesday night's game but came as a goodwill gesture.

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The soccer stadium in Chechnya's capital is one of the blood-soaked region's most resonant spots — Kadyrov's father was blown to bits by terrorists there. Having succeeded his father as Chechnya's leader, Kadyrov aims to use the high-profile game to show the region is recovering from war.

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