Inter legend Javier Zanetti appointed Malta brand ambassador

The Malta Tourism Authority today announced the appointment of football legend Javier Zanetti as its brand ambassador for the Maltese Islands in Italy.

Zanetti is synonymous with the Italian Serie A side, Internazionale, who he joined in 1995. Since then, the Argentine has clocked up over 600 appearances, many of them as captain, for the club which enjoys huge popularity in Malta and around the rest of the world.

With 145 appearances for Argentina, Zanetti also holds the record as the most capped player in the history of the two-time world champions who he represented in the 1996 Olympic tournament and in two World Cups, in 1998 and 2002.

Speaking during a press conference in Milan organized to announce this agreement the Malta Tourism Authority Chairman Gavin Gulia said “The partnership with Javier Zanetti is one of great prestige for the Malta Tourism Authority. Zanetti is known by all Italian football fans as being a footballer of great sportsmanship, having achieved various records and he is truly one of the greatest players of modern football. The MTA has appointed Javier Zanetti as the brand ambassador for the Maltese islands in Italy for the next 3 years, with various promotional activities planned to promote further the allure of our Islands in the Italian market.”

Gulia thanked the efforts of the Malta Tourism Authority’s CEO Josef Formosa Gauci and the MTA’s Director Marketing for Southern Europe Simon Kamsky and his team in achieving this landmark agreement.

Zanetti went on to talk about his experience in Malta last year and confirmed that “Malta is a destination that he and his family loved for the diversity of its touristic offer. He referred to the Maltese people as extremely hospitable which made him feel very welcome and he was highly impressed by the beauty and the rich history of the islands”. He further added “that he was very comfortable to work with   the Malta Tourism Authority to reach this agreement and that he is honoured to be the Brand Ambassador for the Maltese Islands.”

The three year agreement was signed yesterday in Milan by Gavin Gulia and Zanetti.