Veron adds Argentinian magic to Dubai’s ‘Be Fit, Be Safe’ campaign
dubai -- Former Argentine international and Premier League winner Juan Sebastian Veron has added more heft to the Dubai Sports Council’s (DSC) ‘Be Fit, Be Safe’ campaign by sending out a vital message on the importance of social distancing.
The midfielder was a member of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United team that clinched the Premiership in the 2002-03 season.
“Hello everyone. I’m Veron speaking to all my friends in Dubai and the UAE. It is important, very important in this moment to stay home, and be fit and be safe. Bye,” Veron said in a video message which has been shared on the DSC’s social media platforms.
Veronalso has a connection with the UAE. He captained Argentine club Estudiantes to the final of the Fifa Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi in 2009. Backed by their passionate fans, some of whom had sold their homes and cars to make the long-haul sojourn to the UAE capital, Estudiantes had beaten South Korean side Pohang Steelers to set up a final date with European heavyweights FC Barcelona.
And it was a bright start with
Mauro Boselli sending the red and white stripes into raptures. Victory and the Cup was within handshaking distance but Pedro threw the Blaugrana a lifeline by scoring the equaliser, with a minute left on the clock.
The match spilled into extra time and it was to be a heartbreaking ending for Veron and the Los Pincharratas as the genius Lionel Messi scored the winner on 110 minutes.
Veron -- the fulcrum of the Lazio team that beat the startstudded Juventus, AC Milan and Inter for the 2000 Serie A title -- won the Silver Ball at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Club World Cup with the Golden Ball going to his compatriot Messi.
Veron, 45, who is currently the chairman of Estudiantes, also won the Serie A title with Inter Milan in 2006.