Sport

PHOTOS: PM Barzani meets with 2 world-renowned footballers

The players are expected to participate in a friendly match on Wednesday in Franso Hariri Stadium with Iraqi and Kurdish footballers.

Kurdistan 24 2022/02/23 10:22

Renowned Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos (left) presents a personalized jersey to PM Masrour Barzani in the Kurdistan Region capital Erbil, Feb. 22, 2022. (Photo: KRG)

Kurdistan Roberto Carlos Erbil Kurdistan Region Patrick Kluivert

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received former Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos and Dutch player Patrick Kluivert in Erbil on Tuesday.

The two athletes met Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and gifted him two personalized football jerseys from the players with his name emblazoned on them.

Carlos gave a number 3 jersey to the prime minister, the number he played under for many years for Real Madrid. Kluivert presented a number 9 jersey, the number he played under in the national Netherlands team and Barcelona football club.

Renowned Dutch footballer Patrick Kluivert (left) presents a personalized jersey to PM Masrour Barzani in the Kurdistan Region capital Erbil, Feb. 22, 2022. (Photo: KRG)

In return, Prime Minister Barzani gifted the two players portraits of Erbil’s iconic citadel.

The two stars arrived in the Kurdish capital earlier that day, where they were greeted by the representatives of Korek Telecom and the city’s local authorities.

Carlos and Kluivert held a press conference attended by journalists, sports commentators, and fans.

PM Masrour Barzani (right) gifts a photo of Erbil Citadel to famous Dutch footballer Patrick Kluivert in the Kurdistan Region capital Erbil, Feb. 22, 2022. (Photo: KRG)

The players are expected to participate in a friendly match on Wednesday in Franso Hariri Stadium with Iraqi and Kurdish footballers.

Brazilian and Dutch former football players Roberto Carlos and Patrick Kluivert met with PM Masrour Barzani on Tuesday. @PatrickKluivert @Oficial_RC3 pic.twitter.com/69f7mCy2TM
— Kurdistan 24 English (@K24English) February 22, 2022

Having begun his sports career at the Brazilian national team as a forward and later defender, Carlos was widely known for his legendary long-range free-kicks.

PM Masrour Barzani (right) gifts a photo of Erbil Citadel to famous Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos in the Kurdistan Region capital Erbil, Feb. 22, 2022. (Photo: KRG)

Nicknamed one of the “best Dutch strikers of all time,” Kluivert was listed as one of the 125 greatest players alive by the international football association body FIFA.

PM Barzani (top right) met with the world-renowned footballers Robert Carlos and Patrick Kluivert in the Kurdistan Region Erbil, Feb. 22, 2022. (Photo: KRG)