Latest news with #LionelScaloni
Khaleej Times
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
This man travelled from Kerala to Dubai to meet Argentina coach Scaloni
After being mobbed by fans for selfies during Argentina Football Association and LuLu Exchange's partnership-signing event at a Dubai hotel on Tuesday, Lionel Scaloni was introduced to Yadil M Iqbal. The teary-eyed Argentina fan from Kerala, India, shook hands with Scaloni, and thanked him profusely before getting his Argentina shirt signed by the 2022 World Cup-winning coach. Yadil, who hails from Kodungallur in the Thrissur district of Kerala, came to Dubai only to meet Scaloni. 'He is the coach who won us the World Cup. Meeting him today is a dream come true for me,' Yadil told the Khaleej Times, his voice still trembling with emotion. Yadil's love for the Argentina football team also saw him board a flight to Qatar in 2022. 'It was the first time in my life that I travelled out of India. I had saved money for many years to watch Argentina at the Qatar World Cup in 2022,' said the 29-year-old. Yadil, who owns three restaurants in his hometown, struck gold in Qatar, getting hold of all Argentina match tickets. 'I watched all seven matches. The first one was a heartbreak when we lost to Saudi Arabia. There was a lot of pressure on the team. But the team fought back and reached the final,' he recalled. The nerve-racking final against France almost stopped Yadil's heart from beating at the giant Lusail Stadium. 'I thought I would die when France fought back every time after Argentina scored a goal and took the match to penalties. It was unbearable,' he said. Yadil was 'dying' out there. But when Argentina finally won the greatest World Cup final in history, it gave Yadil the most incredible sense of joy. 'I could not believe that Argentina won the World Cup after all the drama, all the ups and downs in that final. Argentina finally became world champions and I was there to watch it live!' Yadil also made headlines in Kerala with his creative talent by painting murals of Lionel Messi and building statues of the football icon in Kodungallur. And in 2022, he prayed to God and 'promised' that he would go for 'Umrah' if Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar. 'So I went to Saudi for 'Umrah' after Argentina won. God has been very kind to me,' said Yadil, who, quite remarkably, had also named his son after Lionel Messi. 'I still have the dream of meeting Messi. His bodyguard sent me a couple of (Messi) shirts after he saw my Insta page,' he said. Yadil has 1.5 million Instagram followers and last month, even Messi commented on a post he collaborated with a fan page to celebrate the Argentine legend's 38th birthday. ''Muchas Gracias' (thank you so much)', the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner wrote on the special birthday post. 'That comment has got more than 450,000 likes,' Yadil smiled. There was also a warm smile on Scaloni's face when Yadil had hugged him on Tuesday in Dubai. 'With the man who made us cry with happiness,' Yadil wrote on Instagram after posting that picture of him with Scaloni. Reportedly, Scaloni has never been allowed to pay for his family dinners at restaurants across Argentina as owners of eateries refuse to accept money from a man who helped the football-obsessed country end its 36-year wait for the World Cup trophy. Now it's not too hard to imagine Yadil doing the same if Scaloni and Messi ever pay a visit to one of his restaurants in Kerala.
Qatar Tribune
23-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
LuLu Exchange, LuLu Money partner with Argentine Football Association
Tribune News Network Doha LuLu Exchange, a cross-border payments provider in Qatar, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait, and LuLu Money, its flagship remittance app, have announced a partnership with the Argentine Football Association (AFA), signing on as their Regional Fintech Partners. This sponsorship is part of a larger global agreement through which the various entities under LuLu Financial Holdings, across 10 countries, will become official AFA partners within their respective regions. In India, LuLu Forex, a leading foreign exchange provider, and LuLu Finserv, the group's microlending and financial services arm, will represent the brand. Meanwhile, LuLu Money will take on the partnership role in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. The partnership, which initially runs through mid-2026, was officially unveiled at an event held in Dubai on Tuesday, in the presence of Argentina's World Cup-winning coach Lionel Scaloni, senior LuLu Financial Holdings leadership, and AFA executives. The agreement spans a key period in global football, culminating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, where the reigning champions will defend their crown. Over the next twelve months, customers of various LuLuFin entities can look forward to a range of exciting campaigns and fan-centric activations, both digitally and through their 380+ customer engagement centers. These will include contests and promotions offering exclusive prizes such as match tickets, official AFA merchandise, and even opportunities for meet-and-greet experiences with players. 'For countless fans, the Argentine team represents more than football - it symbolizes hope, resilience, and joy,' said Adeeb Ahamed, Founder and Managing Director of LuLu Financial Holdings. 'These are the same emotions that shape the everyday journeys of our customers, who use our services to care for their families and build better futures. This partnership is a celebration of that shared spirit.' Claudio Tapia, President of the AFA, said: 'We are delighted to have the LuluFin family as new regional sponsor of the Argentine Football Association for the Middle East, APAC and India. AFA's international expansion continues to grow, incorporating prestigious groups in important territories for our national team. We celebrate this new agreement, which has a strong bond with the Indian community, printing such affection for our team. We share the same values and the importance of teamwork. Today we welcome the LuLuFin family as new regional sponsors of the Argentine national team.' Leandro Petersen, Commercial and Marketing Director of AFA, said: 'This new regional sponsorship with Lulu Financial Holdings, through its flagship brands in strategic territories such as India, APAC and the Middle East, marks a new step in the global expansion of the AFA brand. Since we arrived in the Middle East and India, we have seen strong support for the Argentine National Team. We are proud to continue positioning the team as a benchmark in the sports industry and generate close identification with the Indian community by each of our commercial agreements. We are pleased that Lulu Financial Holdings has chosen the Argentine Champions as its brand image for this renewed World Cup period. We are very excited and confident that this agreement will be a great success in the market.' This collaboration reinforces LuLu Financial Holdings' vision of building meaningful global partnerships that resonate with its diverse customer base. By aligning with the spirit, resilience, and global appeal of Argentine football, LuLuFin aims to deepen its emotional connection with communities it serves — both on and off the field.
Muscat Daily
22-07-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
LuLu Exchange partners with Argentine Football Association
LuLu Exchange, a leading cross-border payments provider in Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, and LuLu Money, its flagship remittance app, have announced a partnership with the Argentine Football Association (AFA), signing on as their Regional Fintech Partners. This sponsorship is part of a larger global agreement through which the various entities under LuLu Financial Holdings, across 10 countries, will become official AFA partners within their respective regions, a press release said. In India, LuLu Forex, a leading foreign exchange provider, and LuLu Finserv, the group's microlending and financial services arm, will represent the brand. Meanwhile, LuLu Money will take on the partnership role in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. The partnership, which initially runs through mid-2026, was officially unveiled at an event held in Dubai on Tuesday, in the presence of Argentina's World Cup-winning coach Lionel Scaloni, senior LuLu Financial Holdings leadership, and AFA executives. The agreement spans a key period in global football, culminating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, where the reigning champions will defend their crown. Over the next twelve months, customers of various LuLuFin entities can look forward to a range of exciting campaigns and fan-centric activations, both digitally and through their 380+ customer engagement centers. 'For countless fans, the Argentine team represents more than football – it symbolises hope, resilience, and joy,' said Adeeb Ahamed, founder and managing director of LuLu Financial Holdings. 'These are the same emotions that shape the everyday journeys of our customers, who use our services to care for their families and build better futures. This partnership is a celebration of that shared spirit.' Claudio Tapia, president of the AFA, said, 'We are delighted to have the LuluFin family as new regional sponsor of the Argentine Football Association for the Middle East, APAC and India. AFA's international expansion continues to grow, incorporating prestigious groups in important territories for our national team. We celebrate this new agreement, which has a strong bond with the Indian community, printing such affection for our team. We share the same values and the importance of teamwork. Today, we welcome the LuLuFin family as new regional sponsors of the Argentine national team.' Leandro Petersen, commercial and marketing director of AFA, said, 'This new regional sponsorship with Lulu Financial Holdings, through its flagship brands in strategic territories such as India, APAC and the Middle East, marks a new step in the global expansion of the AFA brand. Since we arrived in the Middle East and India, we have seen strong support for the Argentine National Team. We are proud to continue positioning the team as a benchmark in the sports industry and generate close identification with the Indian community by each of our commercial agreements. We are pleased that Lulu Financial Holdings has chosen the Argentine Champions as its brand image for this renewed World Cup period. We are very excited and confident that this agreement will be a great success in the market.'
Times of Oman
22-07-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Joining Hands with Champions: LuLu Exchange & LuLu Money Partner with the Argentine Football Association
LuLu Exchange, a leading cross-border payments provider in Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, and LuLu Money, its flagship remittance app, have announced a partnership with the Argentine Football Association (AFA), signing on as their Regional Fintech Partners. This sponsorship is part of a larger global agreement through which the various entities under LuLu Financial Holdings, across 10 countries, will become official AFA partners within their respective regions. In India, LuLu Forex, a leading foreign exchange provider, and LuLu Finserv, the group's microlending and financial services arm, will represent the brand. Meanwhile, LuLu Money will take on the partnership role in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. The partnership, which initially runs through mid-2026, was officially unveiled at an event held in Dubai on Tuesday, in the presence of Argentina's World Cup-winning coach Lionel Scaloni, senior LuLu Financial Holdings leadership, and AFA executives. The agreement spans a key period in global football, culminating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, where the reigning champions will defend their crown. Over the next twelve months, customers of various LuLuFin entities can look forward to a range of exciting campaigns and fan-centric activations, both digitally and through their 380+ customer engagement centers. 'For countless fans, the Argentine team represents more than football - it symbolizes hope, resilience, and joy,' said Adeeb Ahamed, Founder and Managing Director of LuLu Financial Holdings. 'These are the same emotions that shape the everyday journeys of our customers, who use our services to care for their families and build better futures. This partnership is a celebration of that shared spirit.' Claudio Tapia, President of the AFA, said: 'We are delighted to have the LuluFin family as new regional sponsor of the Argentine Football Association for the Middle East, APAC and India. AFA's international expansion continues to grow, incorporating prestigious groups in important territories for our national team. We celebrate this new agreement, which has a strong bond with the Indian community, printing such affection for our team. We share the same values and the importance of teamwork. Today we welcome the LuLuFin family as new regional sponsors of the Argentine national team.' Leandro Petersen, Commercial and Marketing Director of AFA, said: 'This new regional sponsorship with Lulu Financial Holdings, through its flagship brands in strategic territories such as India, APAC and the Middle East, marks a new step in the global expansion of the AFA brand. Since we arrived in the Middle East and India, we have seen strong support for the Argentine National Team. We are proud to continue positioning the team as a benchmark in the sports industry and generate close identification with the Indian community by each of our commercial agreements. We are pleased that Lulu Financial Holdings has chosen the Argentine Champions as its brand image for this renewed World Cup period. We are very excited and confident that this agreement will be a great success in the market.' This collaboration reinforces LuLu Financial Holdings' vision of building meaningful global partnerships that resonate with its diverse customer base. By aligning with the spirit, resilience, and global appeal of Argentine football, LuLuFin aims to deepen its emotional connection with communities it serves — both on and off the field.
Zawya
22-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Joining Hands with Champions: LuLu Exchange & LuLu Money partner with the Argentine Football Association
Dubai, LuLu Exchange, a leading cross-border payments provider in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, and LuLu Money, its flagship remittance app, have announced a partnership with the Argentine Football Association (AFA), signing on as their Regional Fintech Partners. This sponsorship is part of a larger global agreement through which the various entities under LuLu Financial Holdings, across 10 countries, will become official AFA partners within their respective regions. In India, LuLu Forex, a leading foreign exchange provider, and LuLu Finserv, the group's microlending and financial services arm, will represent the brand. Meanwhile, LuLu Money will take on the partnership role in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. The partnership, which initially runs through mid-2026, was officially unveiled at an event held in Dubai on Tuesday, in the presence of Argentina's World Cup-winning coach Lionel Scaloni, senior LuLu Financial Holdings leadership, and AFA executives. The agreement spans a key period in global football, culminating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, where the reigning champions will defend their crown. Over the next twelve months, customers of various LuLuFin entities can look forward to a range of exciting campaigns and fan-centric activations, both digitally and through their 380+ customer engagement centers. These will include contests and promotions offering exclusive prizes such as match tickets, official AFA merchandise, and even opportunities for meet-and-greet experiences with players. 'For countless fans, the Argentine team represents more than football - it symbolizes hope, resilience, and joy,' said Adeeb Ahamed, Founder and Managing Director of LuLu Financial Holdings. 'These are the same emotions that shape the everyday journeys of our customers, who use our services to care for their families and build better futures. This partnership is a celebration of that shared spirit.' Claudio Tapia, President of the AFA, said: 'We are delighted to have the LuluFin family as new regional sponsor of the Argentine Football Association for the Middle East, APAC and India. AFA's international expansion continues to grow, incorporating prestigious groups in important territories for our national team. We celebrate this new agreement, which has a strong bond with the Indian community, printing such affection for our team. We share the same values and the importance of teamwork. Today we welcome the LuLuFin family as new regional sponsors of the Argentine national team.' Leandro Petersen, Commercial and Marketing Director of AFA, said: 'This new regional sponsorship with Lulu Financial Holdings, through its flagship brands in strategic territories such as India, APAC and the Middle East, marks a new step in the global expansion of the AFA brand. Since we arrived in the Middle East and India, we have seen strong support for the Argentine National Team. We are proud to continue positioning the team as a benchmark in the sports industry and generate close identification with the Indian community by each of our commercial agreements. We are pleased that Lulu Financial Holdings has chosen the Argentine Champions as its brand image for this renewed World Cup period. We are very excited and confident that this agreement will be a great success in the market.' This collaboration reinforces LuLu Financial Holdings' vision of building meaningful global partnerships that resonate with its diverse customer base. By aligning with the spirit, resilience, and global appeal of Argentine football, LuLuFin aims to deepen its emotional connection with communities it serves — both on and off the field. About LuLu Exchange LuLu Exchange is one of UAE's leading financial services companies, providing remittances, foreign currency exchange and other allied services through a network of over 140 branches and digital solutions, including the LuLu Money App, to a cross-section of society, powered by a robust network and reputed partners with high standards of customer care. The company is part of the Abu Dhabi-based financial services conglomerate LuLu Financial Holdings. About LuLu Financial Holdings LuLu Financial Holdings is a leading global financial services provider, offering a wide range of services including cross-border payments, currency exchange, and financial technology solutions. With more than 380 customer engagement centers in over 10 countries across the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, and APAC regions, and a commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, LuLu Financial Holdings continues to set benchmarks in the financial services industry.
