Emirates Airline, an Official FIFA Worldwide Partner, has announced that Cristiano Ronaldo, Portuguese captain and winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2013, is its newest Global Ambassador.

In the same press conference, held in Madrid, the airline also premiered its campaign video featuring the football superstar alongside Brazilian legend and fellow Global Ambassador for Emirates, Pelé.

Emirates, a global connector of people and passions, has brought the two football idols together with fans in its flagship A380 onboard lounge in a new digital campaign.

Every generation of football enthusiasts has a hero, but many have different views of who is the greatest footballer of all time. 

Whether Ronaldo, Pelé or someone else altogether, the debate will continue this summer during the World Cup.

The announcement comes just two months before the world’s most watched sporting event kicks off in Pelé’s home country of Brazil. 

Twice named FIFA Player of the Year, Ronaldo, who plays for the Emirates-sponsored Real Madrid, will lead his national team to South America to compete in his third tournament, his second as captain. 

Making his senior team debut for his country in 2003, he has since been capped over 100 times, holding the record for the youngest Portuguese player to reach the number while also setting the record for most goals scored.

In January, the airline announced three times World Cup winner Pelé as their first Global Ambassador since the 2006 competition in Germany, when Franz Beckenbauer was brought on board. 

Continuing with the tradition of only working with the very best on the field, Cristiano Ronaldo was the ideal choice to stand alongside Pelé.

Boutros Boutros, Emirates divisional senior vice president of corporate communications and brand said: “Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Pelé are well-known around the world.

“It is not only that their names and faces are synonymous with top-quality football, but also that they have the ability to inspire and connect with people within and beyond the sports arena.

“Each year Emirates is involved in more than 200 sports events, where fans and customers share exclusive experiences.

“This campaign reflects the Emirates philosophy to go beyond transporting people and to connect them through sports and culture.”