UAE grants golden visa to this Brazilian football icon

The UAE has granted its Golden Visa to Brazilian footballer Ronaldo de Assis Moreiera, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai, confirmed on social media.

The football legend, also known as Ronaldinho Gaúcho, was named the FIFA World Player of the Year for 2004 and 2005.

Ronaldinho scored a total of 266 goals through his 699 club appearances. Meanwhile, the Brazilian player scored 33 international goals in 97 matches for his national team.

GDRFA Dubai receives the football star Ronaldo de Assis Moreira known as @10Ronaldinho, and grants him The Golden Visa in the presence of His Excellency Major General Mohammed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA-Dubai and Major General Obaid Muhair bin Surour,Deputy Director pic.twitter.com/WG1JlirvSS

— GDRFA DUBAI إقامة دبي (@GDRFADUBAI) May 18, 2021

In Q4 2020, the UAE expanded the categories of eligible individuals for the 10-year golden residency visa.

Read: UAE expands eligibility for golden residency visas – new categories revealed

In May last year, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, decided to award 10-year Gold Card residency visas to doctors of the Dubai Health Authority who were providing direct medical services to Covid-19 patients.

Read: Sheikh Mohammed grants 10-year Gold Card visas to Dubai doctors battling Covid-19

The UAE launched a permanent residency scheme for expatriates in 2019.

Read more: UAE unveils ‘golden card’ permanent residency scheme for expats