Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos named AirAsia's global brand ambassador

PETALING JAYA: Retired Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos has been announced as AirAsia's global brand ambassador.

"No one embodies the dare to dream spirit like Roberto Carlos," said AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

"From playing on the streets of Garça and deciding to be a professional footballer at 12 to the amazing free kick against France and winning the World Cup, he has shown that when he wants something, he will see it through to the end," he said in a statement on Friday.

"We couldn't be more proud to have such a fighter in our roster of world champion brand ambassadors," said Fernandes.

Carlos, who is nicknamed "The Bullet Man" for his powerful free kicks, represented Brazil at three FIFA World Cups.

He was also part of the team that won the 2002 World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan.

At club level, playing for Real Madrid, Carlos won four Spanish La Liga titles as well as the UEFA Champions League three times, in 1998, 2000 and 2002.

"In Brazil, we say, 'Because we suffer so much, we value football.' This shows you can succeed no matter where you come from, as long as you believe and work hard," said Carlos.

"I am thrilled to represent a brand like AirAsia, which prides itself in making dreams come true," he said.

The announcement was made at Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral with AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat and AirAsia X Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail in attendance.