NIGERIAN singer Burna Boy will be one of the headline acts at the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul, Turkey on June 10.
European football governing body UEFA confirmed today that the Grammy Award-winning pop star will co-headline the Champions League final Kick-Off Show by Pepsi at the Atarturk Stadium.
“Known for his global chart-topping hits ‘Last Last’ and ‘It’s Plenty’, the Nigerian star will bring his energy and signature soulful vibes of afrobeats to millions of fans before the biggest club fixture in football gets under way,” UEFA said on its official website today.
In a video to promote the event, Burna Boy, who made his global breakthrough with the iconic ‘African Giant’ album in 2019, confirms he will be on stage to entertain football fans at the biggest club match in Europe.
“Hello, everyone. This is Burna Boy and I’ve got some big news. I’ll be performing at the UEFA Champions League final Kick-Off Show by Pepsi. Come on! Let’s go!” he says in the video.
UEFA noted that Burna Boy’s co-headliner will be announced soon, adding: “Now in its seventh year, the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show by Pepsi – formerly known as the UEFA Champions League Opening Ceremony – unites music, sport and culture through a show-stopping performance.”
Guy-Laurent Epstein, UEFA marketing director, said: “The UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show is a significant part of our joint efforts with Pepsi, providing an incredible opportunity to reach new and younger audiences with the some of the biggest names and rising stars in music.
“We’re excited to showcase a line-up of talented artists at this season’s final in Istanbul in what is sure to be an energetic and memorable performance.”
Gustavo Reyna, Pepsi senior director of global marketing, described multiple platinum-selling Burna Boy as ‘one of the world’s most exciting artistes’.
He said: “The UEFA Champions League final is the stand-out date of the club football calendar, and Pepsi prides itself on marking the occasion with the very best entertainment spectacles.
“The newly named ‘Kick Off Show by Pepsi’ is going to be huge this year; we’re so excited to welcome Burna Boy, one of the world’s most exciting artists, to the final stage and we can’t wait to see which fans are selected to feature as part of this truly unmissable performance.”
Burna Boy, who is widely considered one of Nigeria and Africa’s biggest artistes alongside the likes of Wizkid and Davido, says he is looking forward to the performance.
“As a huge football fan myself, I know it doesn’t get any bigger than the UEFA Champions League! That’s why I’m so excited to be performing on the Pepsi stage at this year’s final,” he told UEFA.com.
“Music and football are the ultimate combination, so you already know I’ll be bringing the vibes and making magic in Istanbul. The world isn’t ready for what we have in store!”
Burna Boy, who also performed at the NBA Finals in the United States of America last month, will become the second Nigerian in recent months to perform at a major football event, after Davido sang at the closing ceremony of the Qatar 2022 World Cup in December.
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