Football Legends Holidays in the Maldives: 2023 Edition

With the country garnering popularity over the years, one group of travellers who have started to vacation in the country have also gained quite a bit of attention. Over the past few years, world-renowned footballers have started coming to the Maldives, not only to partner with resorts but also to unwind and enjoy their holidays. There were a handful of footballers who were spotted in the Maldives in the past year itself.

Annual Football Camp with Gary Cahill and Wayne Bridge

If you are a lover of the England football team, Gary Cahill and Wayne Bridge must be familiar names. The football legends took over Siyam World just last year for an annual football camp which took place in the summer. What better way for a football lover to spend their holidays than playing off with the best of the best?

During their stay, Gary Cahill and Wayne Bridges shared his expertise and coaching tips with.

Spanish footballer Pedro Rodríguez Ledesma

Pedro Rodíguez is a popular footballer among all FC Barcelona supporters. He is also a popular name in the football scene as Pedro was the first player in history to score in six different official competitions in one season.

It was no surprise when Pedro Rodíguez and his girlfriend came to visit the Maldives for the holiday, it garnered a lot of attention. The pair spent their holidays in a resort located near the capital city. During their stay, Pedro and his girlfriend also took some time to explore popular locations in Male’ City such as the President’s Office and the Friday Mosque.

Manchester City’s legendary goalkeeper, Ederson Santana de Moraes

Ederson Santana de Moraes and his family were spotted at Kandima Maldives in July 2023. During this island-style break, the staff at Kandima Maldives got the amazing opportunity to play along with Ederson! This was a rare opportunity that many would hope to get, as Ederson Moraes took this opportunity to sign autographs for fans as well.

Joe Gomez Vacations at Kandima Maldives

Kandima Maldives definitely appears to be a footballer’s favourite destination. English footballer Joe Gomez and wife also took a much-needed vacation to Kandima Maldives, during which they stayed in the aqua villa. Along with them also came the younglings. Gomez noted that the girls stayed in a studio suite while the youngest shared the aqua villa with the couple.

Children’s football camp with Robert Green

Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences marked their easter with the arrival of former English Premier League player Robert Green. Green’s Football Camo at Amilla Maldives was particularly exciting for the youngsters. In addition to kickstarting Easter with his football sessions, Robert also provided a two-hour Masterclass Boot Camp every day from April 7th to April 11th!

German legend Lukas Podolski at Heritence Aarah

German footballer, known and loved by many, took to Heritence Aarah to play a friendly match with a team of eager young players from Meedhu Island. In addition to the joyous match where Podolski offered tips and tricks, the youngsters also got a personally signed jersey.

Saudi Arabia has replaced the CEO of its NEOM mega-city project. Nadhmi al-Nasr, who led the project since 2018, is stepping down, and Aiman al-Mudaifer, a top official at the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), is stepping in as interim CEO.

Why the Leadership Change at NEOM?

This leadership change comes at a time when the NEOM project faces growing challenges. The timing raises many questions: What’s behind the change? And what does it mean for the future of this huge development?

NEOM is a massive project, designed to span 170 kilometers and include new ideas like twin skyscrapers, a ski resort, and the bold horizontal city, The Line. However, since its launch, many have questioned whether the project will meet its goals. There’s concern that delays could prevent the city from taking shape as planned.

What Does This Change Mean for NEOM?

According to a statement from NEOM, the leadership shift is part of the company’s effort to enter a “new phase of delivery.” Al-Mudaifer, who has worked at PIF since 2018, has experience in real estate development and knows the ins and outs of the NEOM project. He’s now tasked with making sure things stay on track. But can he handle the pressure and fix the delays? Only time will tell.

Challenges Facing NEOM

NEOM has already faced a few problems. One of the biggest issues is The Line. Originally, this centerpiece of the project was supposed to stretch 170 kilometers by 2030. However, reports now say that only 2.4 kilometers will be done by the end of the decade. This raises doubts about whether the project can meet its size and population targets. Earlier plans had expected a population of over one million in The Line by 2030. But now, new reports, including from Bloomberg, suggest that only 300,000 people might live there by then.

Sindalah Island: A First Step Forward

Despite these challenges, NEOM has already opened its first major development: Sindalah Island. This luxury island features a marina, hotels, and retail spaces, aiming to attract tourists. Sindalah Island will serve as an important test for NEOM’s future. If it succeeds, it could help set the tone for future developments and show that NEOM can make its ideas a reality.

Moving Forward with NEOM

Even with the setbacks, Saudi Arabia continues to push forward with NEOM’s plan. The city still includes other major developments, like Oxagon, Trojena, and Magna, which all aim to create a modern, balanced future. However, the question remains: Can NEOM meet its goals and become the city it’s promised to be?

Al-Mudaifer’s appointment marks a fresh start for NEOM. While challenges remain, this leadership change could be exactly what’s needed to keep things moving forward. The world will be watching to see how the project progresses in the coming years.