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Real Madrid to Build $1 billion Luxury Resort in UAE
Real Madrid, one of the world’s most famous football clubs, is to build an opulent resort in the United Arab Emirates complete with luxury hotels, a marina and amusement park.
Situated on the artificial island of Al Marjan in Ras Al-Khaimah, north of Dubai, the unique 50-hectare resort will also house a 10,000 seater stadium, as well as sports facilities, a club museum and a residential area, and will cost an estimated $1 billion to create.
Plans for the resort were unveiled via computer-generated images at a press conference yesterday attended by Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, former player Zinedine Zidane, and club president Florentino Perez.
"The sports world and Real Madrid again demonstrate that the borders do not exist and that football is a fantastic tool to unite people," Mr Perez said.
"This is a decisive and strategic step that will enhance the strength of this institution in the Middle East and Asia, a key region in which the passion for this club has been apparent."
The resort is expected to open in January 2015.