Casillas, Kaka kick off Fifa World Cup trophy tour in Dubai

The 2022 Fifa World Cup trophy tour kicked off with a spectacular ceremony in Dubai on Thursday — 193 days before the start of the opening match between Senegal and the Netherlands at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

The presence of World Cup winners Iker Casillas and Ricardo Kaka was the icing on the cake as the most iconic sports trophy was unveiled by the two legendary footballers at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

“I can not describe the feeling, how it is like to be closer to the trophy again,” said Kaka, the 2007 Ballon d’Or winner who was a member of the 2002 Brazil World Cup-winning team.

“It’s been 20 years since Brazil won. I was in that team in 2002. So it’s really special to be close to the trophy again. It’s a dream for all the kids who play football to hold this beautiful trophy.

“So I am very, very happy to be here in Dubai, which is the first step of the trophy tour by Coca-Cola. It’s an honour and I hope the fans can enjoy this feeling and these emotions the same way that me and Iker are having now.”

Casillas, who led Spain to their greatest moment in football when La Roja won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa under his captaincy, said getting closer to the trophy still gives him goosebumps.

“It was the first (World Cup) trophy for us. For me and my teammates, it was such a wonderful moment in our life and a truly magical moment for my country. Those emotions I can never describe, it was the most beautiful trophy in the history of Spain,” said Casillas.

While Kaka backed Brazil to end their 20-year World Cup drought in the Qatari desert, Casillas felt it would be a battle between Germany, Belgium and Brazil for the coveted trophy.

The 2022 World Cup will kick off with four matches on November 21 and the final will be held on December 18.