DUBAI – In an innovative fusion of music and sports, Red Bull UAE orchestrated a unique football showdown last Friday, pitting international DJs against prominent UAE-based content creators. The friendly match took place at Precision Football in Ibn Battuta, serving as both an energetic warm-up and a competitive battle for bragging rights.
Leading the DJ squad was Francis Mercier, the Haitian electronic music producer who was in Dubai for his scheduled performance at Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour. Partnering with Red Bull for the initiative, Mercier expressed enthusiasm for the unconventional pre-show activity. ‘Football is a genuine passion of mine,’ Mercier stated before the match. ‘When Red Bull proposed this collaboration with talented UAE creators, we immediately recognized it as a perfect opportunity for fun and connection.’
Mercier’s football affinity traces back to his childhood in Haiti, where he developed admiration for Brazilian football legends including Ronaldo R9, Cafu, and Rivaldo. On the field, Mercier prefers commanding the midfield position, utilizing his stamina to control game tempo – skills that complement his rigorous fitness regimen.
Opposing the DJ team was Ramy Hamdan, a Dubai-based travel content creator with formal football experience from his teenage years playing club football in Lebanon. ‘Our team shares existing chemistry as friends and former teammates,’ Hamdan explained, confirming his tactical shift from his traditional right-back position to an offensive role as left wing and striker for this match.
The event highlighted Dubai’s distinctive cultural ecosystem where international artists and local digital creators converge through shared interests beyond their professional domains. As Mercier observed, the city’s dynamic environment fosters these cross-industry collaborations where football served as the universal language.
Despite Mercier’s confident prediction of a DJ victory, the content creators’ team ultimately triumphed with an 8-5 scoreline. Both Mercier and Hamdan managed to score during the high-energy match, which successfully set an vibrant tone for the weekend’s entertainment activities.