Sport

Erbil welcomes 2 former world football stars

Carlos and Kluivert are holding a press conference on Tuesday afternoon in Erbil to give further details about their visit.

Kurdistan 24 2022/02/22 10:38

Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw (right) presents a bouquet of flowers to Brazilian former footballer Roberto Carlos, Feb. 22, 2022. (Photo: Erbil Governorate/Facebook)

Kurdistan Kurdistan Region Erbil Roberto Carlos Patrick Kluivert

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Local authorities in the Kurdistan Region capital Erbil welcomed two world-renowned former football stars early on Tuesday.

Erbil’s governor and the head of the municipality greeted Brazilian player Roberto Carlos and Dutch player Patrick Kluivert at Erbil International Airport. They were accompanied by representatives from the Korek Telecom company, which invited the athletes to the Kurdish capital.

Erbil's local authorities greet former Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos (top left) and Dutch player Patrick Kluivert (left) in the Kurdistan Region capital, Feb. 22, 2022. (Photo: Erbil Governorate/Facebook)

The two figures are set to play a friendly match with former Iraqi and Kurdish footballers on Wednesday at Erbil’s Franso Hariri Stadium, according to Korek.

The company added that fans of the famous players can buy tickets for the game for 5,000 Iraqi dinars ($3.40).

Carlos and Kluivert are holding a press conference on Tuesday afternoon in Erbil to give further details about their visit.

Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw (center) poses for a photo with Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos (left) and Dutch player Patrick Kluivert (right), Feb. 22, 2022. (Photo: Erbil Governorate/Facebook)

Carlos began his football career as a forward and later as a defender in the Brazil national team. He was widely known for his bending shots when performing free kicks.

Kluivert is one of the most well-known European players and has been described as one of the “best Dutch strikers of all time” by international sports authorities.

In 2004, he was listed as one of the 125 greatest players alive by FIFA, the international football association body.