Roberto Carlos, Karim Benzema, and Luis Figo have arrived in Erbil, much to the delight of sports fans in Kurdistan
Several world-renowned players, who have a large global following, have visited Erbil, either through private commercial ventures or to play matches. This highlights Erbil’s peace, progress on the global stage, sports activities meeting international standards, and the presence of international stadiums.
Luis Figo visited Erbil on Saturday, July 20, 2024, for business purposes. Figo has played for Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan. He won the Ballon d’Or in 2000, claimed the Spanish King’s Cup and La Liga titles, and won the U-20 World Cup with the Portuguese youth national team.
Commenting on his visit to Kurdistan and Erbil, Figo said, “I’m very happy. This is my first time in Erbil, and I’m very pleased to have come to this country.”
Additionally, on the evening of Saturday, November 4, 2023, Omid Khoshnaw, the Governor of Erbil, greeted the coach, players, and delegation of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad Club at Erbil International Airport. Al-Ittihad faced Iraq’s Air Force Club at Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil in the fourth round of the AFC Champions League. Among the many well-known players on Al-Ittihad’s team were Fabinho, N’Golo Kanté, and Karim Benzema—three players with enormous global fan bases.
Furthermore, on February 1, 2022, football stars Roberto Carlos of Brazil and Patrick Kluivert of the Netherlands arrived in Erbil, hosted by the Governor of Erbil, the District Commissioner of Erbil, and several other officials. They were delighted to meet their fans and supporters in Erbil.
As the Kurdistan Region continues to see tremendous growth in the sports sector and places high value on it, the visits of these football players to the region are noteworthy. The streets of Erbil have become a prime location for sports fans to express their excitement, which has had a significant impact both locally and globally.