Mon, Nov 17, 2025 | Jumada al-Awwal 26, 1447 | Fajr 05:17 | DXB clear.png27.2°C

Global football icons invest in Major Developers’ flagship project on Al Marjan Island

Football legends back future living as Ras Al Khaimah becomes the new frontier for global real estate visionaries

Published: Mon 30 Jun 2025, 6:24 PM

In a market rapidly drawing international interest, where multiple luxury developments are competing for global capital, a select group of football legends has gravitated toward a single name: Major Developers. Francesco Totti, Frank Rijkaard, Marco van Basten, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have each invested in Manta Bay, the firm’s flagship waterfront development on Al Marjan Island. Their decision isn’t incidental. It reflects a shared belief that Major Developers offers something fundamentally different: a deep-rooted commitment to future-centric design, bold architectural thinking, and strategic vision, not just amenities.

While celebrity real estate purchases are not uncommon, these particular investments signal more than lifestyle choices. They point to a strategic alignment between globally respected athletes and a developer known for pushing boundaries in design, experience, and future-ready urban planning.

Located on Al Marjan Island, Manta Bay is part of a growing portfolio by Major Developers that seeks to redefine luxury living in emerging geographies. The project has drawn attention not only for its aesthetics but for its architectural experimentation and commitment to building for a future demographic.

A standout feature of Manta Bay is the Sky Pool Beach, a suspended leisure structure that combines an elevated infinity pool with real sand, spanning 250 square meters. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf and the site of the world’s largest Wynn Resort, it is being described by industry watchers as a structural innovation in hospitality-inspired residential design.

Inside, the development offers a combination of wellness-focused features including open-air cinemas, private gardens, and jacuzzi-lined terraces. According to sources close to the project, the footballers were particularly drawn to the attention to detail and understated elegance of the residences, elements they associate with discipline and high-performance environments.

Francesco Totti’s involvement goes a step further. The Italian icon has collaborated with Major Developers to launch a limited-edition collection of ten VIP Signature Residences. Each unit is paired with exclusive elements such as a hand-signed jersey, platinum-tier concierge services, and an invitation to a private dinner hosted by Totti himself at the time of handover.

However, beyond the amenities and bespoke offerings, it is Ras Al Khaimah’s economic trajectory that appears to be shaping investor sentiment. The emirate is undergoing what regional analysts are calling one of the most ambitious transformation strategies in the Middle East. With over Dh15 billion in residential pipeline and an additional Dh19 billion committed to the Wynn Resort alone, tourism-led development has reached Dh34 billion, a signal of serious momentum for long-term capital appreciation.

Major Developers’ decision to focus on Ras Al Khaimah rather than more saturated markets is being viewed by industry experts as a calculated move. With new acquisitions in the pipeline, including plots in the emirate’s upcoming innovation district, the company appears to be positioning itself as a defining player in the next chapter of UAE real estate growth.

Andre Charapenak, CEO of Major Developers noted in a recent statement: “Ras Al Khaimah is not just a location, it is a statement of where the future is headed.”

In that context, the involvement of international athletes, individuals who have built careers on precision, performance, and long-term strategy, adds further weight to the region’s investment appeal. Their choice reflects confidence not just in a specific project, but in the broader vision being shaped by developers who are thinking beyond immediate returns.

For Major Developers, the growing list of global investors seems to validate an approach that is as much about foresight as it is about form. And for the athletes, the decision to invest appears rooted in more than prestige; it’s a long play on legacy.

For more information, visit: majordevelopers.com.