The Qatar 2022 World Cup bid committee has named two former World Cup stars, Argentina’s Gabriel Omar Batistuta and Holland’s Ronald de Boer, as new bid ambassadors.

Batistuta is the all-time leading goal-scorer for Argentina and represented his country at three World Cup finals, while de Boer played in two World Cup finals for the Netherlands and won the UEFA Champions League in a sparkling club career. Both players also played for clubs in Qatar.

“From my playing experience in Qatar I know that it is a country and a region which will host a spectacular and passionate World Cup in 2022,” stated Batistuta.

“I truly believe it is time for the World Cup to come to the Middle East for the first time ever, so I am thrilled to be asked to become an ambassador for this campaign. I believe this is a historic opportunity for the country where I played four years of my professional career and the rest of the world to unite in a peaceful and family-orientated celebration of football, and this is the message I will be bringing in my new role over the coming 12 months,” added De Boer.

“Our bid is gaining support and passion from all around the world. Both Gabriel and Ronald have shown that they are great sportsmen and wonderful role models for youngsters from South America to Europe and on to the Middle East. Their local experience and knowledge of Qatar and our passion for football is one of the reasons we think they will be great ambassadors for us,” said the Qatar 2022 Bid chief Hassan Abdulla Al Thawadi.-TradeArabia News Service