President Ruto gifted by former Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 02.05.25. | 16:05
While receiving the iconic trophy, President Ruto revealed he is an avid Arsenal fan and expressed optimism that the English Premier League side would go all the way to win this season’s UEFA Champions League
Celebrated German footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger on Friday, May 2, presented President William Ruto with an Arsenal jersey and a ball during a visit to State House, Nairobi.
The visit was part of the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour.
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While receiving the iconic trophy, President Ruto revealed he is an avid Arsenal fan and expressed optimism that the English Premier League side would go all the way to win this season’s UEFA Champions League.
“I’m an Arsenal supporter, and I hope they overturn the 1–0 loss to PSG this week when they meet in Paris next Wednesday. I believe they’ll advance to the finals and hopefully lift this trophy,” Ruto said.
He added, “Since I’m the last to hold it, I’m praying my team gets to lift it in the final. Whichever team you’re supporting, let’s enjoy the game together.”
Ruto also expressed confidence that Arsenal could overcome the narrow deficit against French giants Paris Saint-Germain in the upcoming semi-final match, paving their way to the final set to take place in Munich, Germany.
This marks the first time in 13 years that the prestigious UEFA Champions League trophy is visiting Kenya.
It was last here in March 2012, when it was presented to then-President Mwai Kibaki at Harambee House.
Accompanying the trophy is Schweinsteiger, the former Manchester United and Bayern Munich star.
Schweinsteiger, who won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013, played 17 seasons for the club.
His illustrious career includes eight Bundesliga titles, seven DFB-Pokal (German Cup) victories, one FIFA Club World Cup, and a UEFA Super Cup.
He was also part of the German squad that won the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The Kenyan leg of the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour is part of the final stretch of a global tour that has already made stops in Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, and Zambia.
Former Manchester United player Bastian Schweinsteiger gifts President Ruto a signed Arsenal jersey and ball pic.twitter.com/Iuotg4LTmQ
— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) May 2, 2025
Kenyan football fans will have a chance to view the trophy and take photographs with it while it's on display atop a plinth.
The public viewing is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, with the venue to be announced.
Earlier that morning, Schweinsteiger will engage with Kenyan football legends at an event organised by Heineken, Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL), and the Football Kenya Federation at the Serena Hotel.
Notably, retired Kenyan footballer McDonald Mariga remains the only Kenyan to have lifted the Champions League trophy, having won it with Inter Milan in 2010.
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