(MENAFN- Edelman) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 19 November 2025 – Visa, a global leader in digital payments, in partnership with Emirates NBD, hosted legendary football manager Pep Guardiola on his first visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This landmark initiative celebrates Visa’s ongoing collaboration with Guardiola and underscores the longstanding partnership between Visa and Emirates NBD to drive innovation and inspire excellence across the region.

As part of a broader regional campaign, Pep Guardiola’s visit aims to connect fans with one of football’s most visionary figures. Through this initiative, Visa and Emirates NBD reaffirm their dedication to bringing world-class football experiences closer to Saudi audiences, fostering a culture of ambition, teamwork, and progress.

Ali Baloun, Visa’s Regional General Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman commented: “Welcoming Pep Guardiola to Saudi Arabia for the first time is a powerful expression of our ambition to inspire fans and deepen the Kingdom’s engagement with the world’s most beloved sport. As a global partner of FIFA, Visa is committed to celebrating the universal spirit of football. Our collaboration with Emirates NBD reflects a shared commitment to innovation, leadership, and community connection.”

“Our partnership with Visa continues to bring world-class experiences to our customers and football fans across the region. Welcoming Pep Guardiola to Saudi Arabia highlights our joint commitment to celebrating passion, progress, and excellence on and off the field,” said Asad Khairi, Emirates NBD KSA’s Head of Products and Digital Banking. (ENBD spokesperson).

This initiative is part of Visa’s broader strategy to leverage its global partnerships to create authentic, meaningful connections with fans and communities. By spotlighting figures like Guardiola, Visa and Emirates NBD aim to inspire the next generation of leaders and athletes in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

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