Former Italy national team captain Paolo Maldini has announced a major investment partnership in a $100 million hotel and real estate project in the United Arab Emirates. This marks a significant shift for the football legend, who is now focusing on business and investment. The project, developed in collaboration with the hotel chain «NH Collection» from the Minor Hotels Group, will be a luxury resort on Coral Island in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. The choice of Coral Island as the project's location is deliberate, as it is one of the most rapidly emerging tourist destinations in the UAE, offering stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and advanced infrastructure. This partnership with Maldini will strengthen the Spanish brand's presence in the UAE market and add a sporting and fan dimension to the project, leveraging his global name and widespread fame. The project is expected to attract a wide range of investors and football enthusiasts alike, especially given the growing global interest in the UAE's hospitality sector, which is preparing to host numerous major sporting and tourist events. It is noted that the UAE has seen increasing interest from former and current sports stars in investing across various sectors, particularly in real estate and hospitality, benefiting from the country's attractive investment environment and government support. As one source stated, «the choice of Coral Island as the site for the project did not come out of the blue, as it is considered one of the most prominent emerging tourist destinations in the UAE for the charming views it offers on the Arabian Gulf, in addition to its advanced infrastructure». They added: «Maldini's partnership with the «NH Collection» chain, affiliated with the Minor Hotels Group, will enhance the presence of the Spanish brand in the UAE market, and also adds a sporting and popular dimension to the project thanks to the global name and widespread fame of Maldini». They continued: «The project is expected to attract a wide segment of investors and football fans alike, especially in light of the growing global interest in the hospitality sector in the UAE, which is preparing to host many major sporting and tourism events». It is reported that the UAE has witnessed in recent years an increasing interest from former and current sports stars in investing in various sectors, especially real estate and hospitality, benefiting from the attractive investment climate and government facilities.
