Telecommunications company Ooredoo has secured a commercial partnership with Uefa Champions League holder Real Madrid in Algeria.
The terms of the deal, which Ooredoo has claimed as the Spanish Liga club’s first with an Algerian and African operator, were not disclosed.
Real Madrid and Ooredoo will collaborate on youth initiatives in Algeria as part of the agreement.
Real Madrid great Zinedine Zidane became an Ooredoo ambassador in 2006 and the company sponsored Algeria’s national football team between 2009 and 2014.
Sheikh Saud Al Thani, Ooredoo Qatar chief executive, said: “Ooredoo's partnership with Real Madrid comes as a natural move in our global sport strategy after other key initiatives. Ooredoo group will do its utmost to make this partnership a big success in Algeria.”
Emilio Butragueño, institutional relations director of Real Madrid, added: “Zinedine Zidane is a legend and I am sure that this partnership will help outstanding young Algerian talents to succeed thanks to the collaboration with Ooredoo. We have never been approached for a charity match in Algeria but it is not excluded that we organise such a match with Ooredoo as soon as the schedule will allow.”