ABU DHABI // An avid Emirati footballer will lead out his heroes at the Etihad Stadium later this month.
Ali Al Haddad won the prize to be the mascot for City when he was picked at random at the Manchester City School of Football in Abu Dhabi.
"I came home from school and my mother had a big smile on her face and said she had some amazing news," the 11-year-old said.
The highlight of the prize, he said, was the chance to meet his hero David Silva when they take on Tottenham Hotspurs in the English Premier League on January 22.
"I think [Silva] is easily City's best player and my hero. There will be so many fans and so much noise and it's a dream for me for this to happen," he said.
Ali and a relative will be given a guided tour of Etihad Stadium before changing into the sky blue kit.
When 45,000 fans fill the stadium before the game, Ali will lead the players from the tunnel out onto a pitch for the Spurs game.
His mother, Amani, said he was a massive Man City fan and it would be a fantastic experience for him. "We are all going to be so proud. I don't think he can wait for the big day to come!"
eharnan@thenational.ae