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Middle Eastern airline Emirates have signed Brazilian football legend Pelé as their Emirates’ Global Ambassador ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup to be played in Brazil from June 12 to July 13.
Pelé said at the press conference on Thursday, “Emirates Airlines is one of the most outstanding brands in global sports today. Having just flown on Emirates’ A380 from Zurich to Dubai, I can say from personal experience that it is also an outstanding airline. It would be great if the airline would fly the A380 to Brazil for the FIFA World Cup. My flight was comfortable and it was delightful to be on board with their helpful and friendly staff. And with such an international mix of passengers, Emirates Airlines is a global airline just like the global game of football. The airline is a proud supporter of sports around the world, and I am honoured to be its global ambassador.”
Emirates airlines, who have been a FIFA sponsor since 2006, will use legendary Pelé as part of their promotions around the 2014 FIFA World Cup just like they did at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany with Franz Beckenbauer.
Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, divisional senior vice-president, commercial operations, Emirates Airline said, “Pelé is a global icon. He is recognised, respected, and an inspiration to people around the world. He represents the best values of ‘the beautiful game’ of football, not only because he was a great player, but also because he uses the power of sports to connect people – with each other, with communities, and with opportunities. In many ways, Pelé stands for the same values that Emirates does. He is the ideal choice for our Global Ambassador and we are thrilled that we will be partnering with him.”
For 73 year old Pelé it was a return to Dubai, 40 years after his first visit to the city with his club FC Santos to play Al Nasr Club of Dubai. Both, Emirates and Al Nasr marked the 40th anniversary by presenting the legendary Brazilian a photo of the two teams that was taken before the start of that game in 1973.
