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gulf region sponsorships: messi, money, and mega events. three years after lionel messi lifted the fifa world cup '22 in the air in qatar with argentina, the 37-year-old is sponsoring a mastercard credit card in the gulf state for the first time, issued by doha bank. the sponsorship market in the wealthy, oil-rich region is considered lucrative, though it is also a highly competitive turf. written by gérard al-fil, dubai. superstar lionel messi has been a mastercard ambassador since 2018. doha bank, the number four bank in gas-rich qatar, states on its website that the credit card deal with the argentinian, who is under contract with us club inter miami and, according to media reports, is being courted by his former club fc barcelona for a comeback, reflects the enormous enthusiasm for soccer in the gulf state. cardholders can win tickets to matches worldwide, among other things. representatives of doha bank and mastercard present their partnership with lionel messi. (image: provided). local and foreign banks are happy to enter into deals with vips and events in the sports and cultural sectors, as both attract well-heeled locals, business travellers, and tourists from all over the world. after all, travelers to dubai shouldn't just remember the inevitable white and red logo of the british bank hsbc at the airport. banks are going full throttle. furthermore, thanks to its enormous liquefied natural gas reserves, qatar's per capita economic output is 516 percent higher than the global average. a bank is happy to pay a superstar like lionel messi to attract new customers. saudi arabia's bank albilad is a partner of the formula 1 grand prix in jeddah, in order, as the bank says, to support the restructuring of the kingdom («away from oil»), in line with the government's vision 2030 plan. the master plan attaches considerable importance to tourism. j.p. morgan has been sponsoring the dubai duty-free tennis tournament for years, which was won last february by stefanos tsitsipas in the men's singles and by mirra andreeva in the wta women's singles. in a private foyer, the us investment bank entertains its wealthy clients in the gulf emirates, which swiss tennis legend roger federer has called his second home for years. art of the sponsorship deal. for example, the swiss private bank julius baer, together with geneva-based luxury watchmaker piaget, will once again be partnering with the art dubai art fair, inviting the international art scene to the exclusive madinat jumeirah resort from april 18th to 20th. and the british standard chartered bank has been sponsoring the annual dubai marathon for years. at the end of this year, abu dhabi commercial bank will be once again on hand as a sponsor when the final formula 1 race takes place in december on yas island near abu dhabi. villas, yachts and startups. according to real estate consultant knight frank, dubai expects more than 10,000 new millionaires this year, representing a one-third increase in growth over the past year. this would bring the number of dollar millionaires in the emirate to 205,000 by 2025, who prefer to invest in villas, yachts, and startups. in addition, there will be 1,500 ultra-high net worth individuals – those with $30 million in ‘savings’ – by the end of this year, compared to 1,300 five years ago.
Gulf Region Sponsorships: Messi, Money, and Mega Events
Three years after Lionel Messi lifted the FIFA World Cup '22 in the air in Qatar with Argentina, the 37-year-old is sponsoring a Mastercard credit card in the Gulf state for the first time, issued by Doha Bank. The sponsorship market in the wealthy, oil-rich region is considered lucrative, though it is also a highly competitive turf.
Written by Gérard Al-Fil, Dubai
Superstar Lionel Messi has been a Mastercard ambassador since 2018. Doha Bank, the number four bank in gas-rich Qatar, states on its website that the credit card deal with the Argentinian, who is under contract with US club Inter Miami and, according to media reports, is being courted by his former club FC Barcelona for a comeback, reflects the enormous enthusiasm for soccer in the Gulf state. Cardholders can win tickets to matches worldwide, among other things.
Representatives of Doha Bank and Mastercard present their partnership with Lionel Messi. (Image: provided)
Local and foreign banks are happy to enter into deals with VIPs and events in the sports and cultural sectors, as both attract well-heeled locals, business travellers, and tourists from all over the world. After all, travelers to Dubai shouldn't just remember the inevitable white and red logo of the British bank HSBC at the airport.
Banks Are Going Full Throttle
Furthermore, thanks to its enormous liquefied natural gas reserves, Qatar's per capita economic output is 516 percent higher than the global average. A bank is happy to pay a superstar like Lionel Messi to attract new customers.
Saudi Arabia's Bank Albilad is a partner of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Jeddah, in order, as the bank says, to support the restructuring of the Kingdom («away from oil»), in line with the government's Vision 2030 plan. The master plan attaches considerable importance to tourism.
J.P. Morgan has been sponsoring the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Tournament for years, which was won last February by Stefanos Tsitsipas in the men's singles and by Mirra Andreeva in the WTA women's singles. In a private foyer, the US investment bank entertains its wealthy clients in the Gulf Emirates, which Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer has called his second home for years.
Art of the Sponsorship Deal
For example, the Swiss private bank Julius Baer, together with Geneva-based luxury watchmaker Piaget, will once again be partnering with the Art Dubai art fair, inviting the international art scene to the exclusive Madinat Jumeirah resort from April 18th to 20th.
And the British Standard Chartered Bank has been sponsoring the annual Dubai Marathon for years. At the end of this year, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank will be once again on hand as a sponsor when the final Formula 1 race takes place in December on Yas Island near Abu Dhabi.
Villas, Yachts and Startups
According to real estate consultant Knight Frank, Dubai expects more than 10,000 new millionaires this year, representing a one-third increase in growth over the past year.
This would bring the number of dollar millionaires in the emirate to 205,000 by 2025, who prefer to invest in villas, yachts, and startups. In addition, there will be 1,500 ultra-high net worth individuals – those with $30 million in ‘savings’ – by the end of this year, compared to 1,300 five years ago.
