From Ronaldo to Ronaldinho: How 10 football stars earned UAE Golden Visas
The UAE has expanded its Golden Visa program to include elite football stars, aiming to boost its economy and global profile. The initiative encourages athletes to invest in local sports, media, and business ventures within the Emirates.
Why it matters
This strategy reflects the UAE's broader economic diversification goals, using celebrity influence to attract investment and talent beyond the oil sector.
The UAE has spent years attracting some of football’s biggest names, but its Golden Visa programme offers more than a convenient way for global stars to visit the Emirates. Since the government expanded eligibility to exceptional sporting talent in 2020, footballers have used their connections with the country in different ways, from establishing businesses and investing in local football to building media ventures and developing opportunities for young players. Here are 10 footballers who received the coveted residency, and what their relationships with the UAE have looked like beyond the initial announcements.What is the UAE Golden Visa, and why did footballers become eligible?The UAE introduced its Golden Residency programme in 2019 under an initiative announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the country’s Vice-President and Prime Minister and Dubai’s ruler.
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