Roberto Carlos and Fernando Hierro become shareholders in Dubai’s Fursan Hispania FC
Roberto Carlos and Fernando Hierro have joined Dubai’s Fursan Hispania FC as shareholders, reuniting with former Real Madrid teammate Michel Salgado in a project focused on developing young footballers in the UAE.
The announcement was made on 12 November as the club celebrated its sixth anniversary. The two former internationals join co-founders Salgado and Faisal Belhoul, bringing their experience to the club’s coaching approach, coach development, international relationships and long-term sporting plans.
A press conference at Emirates Towers brought together club representatives and Dubai Sports Council officials, while Fursan Hispania Day marked the occasion with players, families, coaches and partners.
Former teammates with a shared football history
Roberto Carlos and Hierro played alongside Salgado during Real Madrid’s Champions League-winning campaigns in 2000 and 2002. Their involvement brings that shared experience into a different setting, centred on young players building their careers in Dubai.
Roberto Carlos also won the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil. Hierro spent 14 seasons at Real Madrid, making 601 appearances and scoring 127 goals while playing in defence and midfield. His honours with the Spanish club included three European Cups.
At Fursan Hispania, their announced contribution concerns the club’s wider development, with an emphasis on the people and methods supporting its players.
A clearer route from academy to senior football
Founded in 2020, Fursan Hispania has already won the UAE Second Division title and earned promotion to the First Division during its development.
In 2025, the club brought its academy and first-team operations together under one structure. The change created a unified coaching philosophy intended to connect a player’s earliest training sessions with progression towards senior football.
Belhoul said the founding ambition was to give young people in Dubai and across the UAE a genuine opportunity to pursue the professional game. He highlighted the league title, players moving overseas and the integration of the academy and club as evidence of its progress.
Hierro described the approach as developing “the whole player: technique, character and education”, and said he looked forward to working with coaches and families.
An international pathway already taking shape
A move announced by RC Celta in July 2025 provides a concrete example of a player progressing from Fursan into Spanish football.
The Spanish club signed Anthony Khayat, a UAE Under-20 international midfielder born in 2007, from Fursan on a three-year agreement. Celta said he would join the Celta Fortuna training environment while being registered with its Juvenil squad.
Khayat had participated in tournaments with the Vigo club since the age of ten. At the time of the signing, Salgado praised his ability to play in different positions and adapt to different systems, welcoming the opportunity for him to continue developing in Spain.
Supporting participation as well as ambition
Salgado emphasised that Fursan’s purpose extends beyond producing professional footballers. It also aims to give children opportunities to play, develop their character and benefit from a structured sporting environment.
Dubai Sports Council Vice Chairman Khalfan Belhoul highlighted the role of private-sector initiatives in connecting local talent with international expertise, increasing participation and preparing players for national teams.
For Hierro and Roberto Carlos, helping young athletes progress towards representing the UAE forms part of the ambition. Their involvement will support a development environment built around qualified coaches, technical training and the values players need as they advance through the game.
