Retired Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos has been named as global brand ambassador of Malaysia-based carrier AirAsia.

“No one embodies the dare to dream spirit like Roberto Carlos,” said AirAsia Group chief executive Tony Fernandes.

“From playing on the streets of Garca 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,” Fernandes said yesterday.

“We couldn’t be more proud to have such a fighter in our roster of world champion brand ambassadors.”

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.”

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