Retired Czech winger Pavel Nedved. (Photo : Getty Images)
Former Czech Republic national team standout Pavel Nedved had officially replaced former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and LA Galaxy superstar David Beckham as the new football ambassador of the Chinese Super League in a ceremony held in Prague on Wednesday.
Xinhuanet reported that the 43-year-old Nedved, who had also suited up for Italian Serie A squads SS Lazio and Juventus FC in his illustrious 18-year career, "signed a three-year deal to be ambassador for the Chinese top soccer league".
No less than the China top flight's company chairman Ma Chengquan appointed him to the role during the said ceremony in the Czech capital city.
The official also acknowledged that the former attacking midfielder, also known as "Czech Ironman" in China, "has been a widely recognized figure in the (world's) most populous country", which makes him an ideal fit for the responsibility.
"Nedved is known for his outstanding soccer skills and more importantly his never-say-die spirit. His fighting spirit fits well in what the Chinese Super League calls for," said the CSL through an official statement.
The 2003 Ballon d'Or and World Soccer Awards Player of the Year winner evidently welcomed the task, saying that "I have become ambassador of the Chinese league today" when talking to reporters after the awarding ceremony.
"Before me it was David Beckham so it's a great honor for me and for the entire Czech Republic," said Nedved during one of the events that highlighted Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Prague, as per the South China Morning Post.
"In future, you'll have to reckon with Chinese football," he added.
Nedved is widely considered as perhaps the most successful footballer to come from the Czech Republic, winning top domestic and European titles with Lazio and Juventus. He also led the Czech national team to reach the final of the Euro 1996, which the team eventually lost to Germany, lifting him to international prominence.
He was also the Czech Republic's Golden Ball awardee six times, in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, and 2009 respectively, and was named Czech Footballer of the Year four times, in 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2004.
The 40-year-old Beckham was appointed as the CSL ambassador in March of 2013, which aimed at improving the image of the Chinese top flight in the international arena after a series of scandals involving match-fixing of top local officials have surfaced at that time.
