Former Take That star Robbie Williams will be part of the pre-match entertainment in Sunday’s Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The 51-year-old, who was named FIFA’s new official Music Ambassador a month ago, will perform ‘Desire’ – FIFA’s first official anthem, in public for the first time.
Robbie wrote the song in collaboration with Owen Parker, Karl Brazil, and compositor Erik Jan Grob – who penned the Women’s Champions League anthem.
Anthemic crescendo
‘Desire’ a string-led ballad, starts off with Robbie delivering impassioned lines such as “Love is the law, and it’s raging like a fire” and “It’s a beautiful game and the dream is comin’ true”. The second part of the song features Italian singer Laura Pausini who sings in Spanish before teaming up with Robbie for a romantic coda.
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The new anthem will be played on the stadium PA before every FIFA tournament game, as both teams step out onto the pitch. World soccer’s governing body explain that “the track captures the intensity, pride and unity that defines football at its highest level”.
Football and music, two passions growing up
Williams added: “Music and football bring people together like nothing else so I’m beyond honored to be the Official FIFA Music Ambassador. To perform ‘Desire’ with Laura at the final of the FIFA Club World Cup and share that moment with fans in the stadium and all the fans watching from home around the world, will be a truly special moment. And it’s just the start, I’m so excited that my song will be a part of some of my favorite FIFA football tournaments in the coming years
“I’ve grown up watching the walk-outs, the anthems, the drama – so writing and recording the official FIFA anthem is a real privilege” Robbie says. “I wanted to create something that captures all of it – the passion, the nerves, the pride and the majesty of that feeling just before kick-off. Football and music have always meant the world to me and bringing them together on this kind of stage gives me goosebumps. It’s a real honor that Laura Pausini accepted my invitation to feature on the song – she’s an incredible artist with the perfect voice”.
The iconic Italian songstress, who has been performing around Europe to commemorate the 30th anniversary of her debut album, concluded: “It’s an honor for me to be invited to join Robbie Williams and be featured on the song ‘Desire’, written by Robbie. The song is amazing, really touching. It’s a dream to be with him for the FIFA Club World Cup. Since I was a little girl growing up in Italy I remember the thrill and passion for football in my home country. To be able to perform live with Robbie Williams in front of passionate football fans and to be heard by music fans around the world will be truly amazing.”
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