Please bring Ronaldo to Nigeria - Ex-Presidential aide pens open letter to Tinubu

Bashir Ahmed, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has issued an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, passionately appealing for the invitation of football icon Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portugal national team to play a friendly match at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The plea, which has sparked widespread discussion on social media, comes in the wake of Angola's invitation to Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team for an international friendly.

Ahmed highlighted this development as inspiration, arguing that Nigeria should capitalise on its massive Ronaldo fanbase to create a similar spectacle.

In the letter posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Ahmed wrote: “Dear President Tinubu, I bring this humble request on behalf of millions of Nigerian football lovers. As we all know, Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid fans make up roughly 60–75% of Nigeria’s football-loving population. Sir, we would be absolutely delighted if you could bring Ronaldo and the Portugal national team to play at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

“This single gesture would electrify the country, unite supporters across regions and strengthen the excitement ahead of the 2027 general election.”

Ahmed, who served as Personal Assistant on New Media to Buhari from 2015 to 2023, emphasised the potential unifying power of such an event.

He noted that Ronaldo's global stardom, combined with his enduring popularity in Nigeria, where fans often align with either the Portuguese superstar or his Argentine rival Messi, could boost national morale and foster cross-regional harmony.