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France legend Marcel Desailly inspires football spirit at Jumeirah Vittaveli in Maldives
Former France international Marcel Desailly has visited the Maldives twice before, the latest being a couple of years back. The football legend is back in the island paradise for a third time, and he could not be happier. In fact, he is so happy that he has already shared with his fans around the world his signature “Ah Ha Ha Ha” laugh from the turquoise waters surrounding Jumeirah Vittaveli, where he is staying.
“This place is just amazing! It’s so great to be here,” Desailly told Maldives Insider.
“You’ve preserved your environment. It’s well-organised. The community is benefitting [from] the works done by the hotels in the system. Tourism is something very important [to] you. Tourism and sports; those can be very effective here.”
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True to that understanding, his third visit to the Maldives is special. Desailly has already graced the opening ceremony of Ooredoo Dhivehi Premier League — the Maldives’ top football league — and shared his inspiration with fellow professional footballers from the island nation that aspire to follow in the footsteps of legends like him.
And just a day before ending his six-day visit to the Maldives, Desailly inspired the spirit of football in an altogether different bunch of people; the team members at Jumeirah Vittaveli. The friendly fustal match was held Monday afternoon at the futsal grounds of the island resort, and was played between a team led by The Rock — a nickname he has been given due to his consistency, strength and hard-tackling playing style — and another selected from amongst the resort staff.

France football legend Marcel Desailly plays futsal with the staff at Jumeirah Vittaveli on Monday. PHOTO/ JUMEIRAH
On the pitch, the former defensive midfielder awed the spectators, comprising staff members as well as several guests holidaying on the island, with his skills, and played an instrumental role in leading his team to an 8-4 win.
But the most defining moment came right after the 40-minute game, when he just could not get off the pitch! Improvising the carefully curated programme for the afternoon, the former AC Milan and Chelsea star went on teaching football tactics to some enthusiastic staff members.
“We’re always here to promote football, from the grassroots. … But [when you’re in the Maldives], you’ve holiday, entertainment, and you promote my passion, which is sports,” he said.

France football legend Marcel Desailly coaches a staff member after the futsal match at Jumeirah Vittaveli on Monday.
Desailly was presented with a plaque by Amit Majumder, the General Manager at Jumeirah Vittaveli, as he thanked the Frenchman for staying at the resort. Desailly, on his part, heaped praise on the resort, describing it as “the full package”.
“Good hotel. Good food. … I was given a very warm welcome,” he said.

Amit Majumder, the General Manager at Jumeirah Vittaveli, presents a plaque to France football legend Marcel Desailly after the futsal match at the resort on Monday.
Located a short 20-minute ride aboard a luxurious motorised catamaran from the main Velana International Airport, Jumeirah Vittaveli offers unmatched diversity, subtle luxury and personalised exploration, whether you are seeking a romantic getaway or an exotic destination for your family.
In addition to the recently launched Royal Residence, the resort comprises of 89 villas and suites each with their own swimming pool and direct access to the beach or lagoon. The private and spacious villas are available with one or two bedrooms making them the ideal accommodation for both families and couples. Highlights are the free-standing Ocean Suites, located only a heartbeat away from the main island and accessible by complimentary boat service.

France legend Marcel Desailly autographs a football for Jumeirah Vittaveli General Manager Amit Majumder after the futsal match at the resort on Monday. PHOTO/ JUMEIRAH
In the Maldives, Desailly, who was a member of the France international squads that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, also spoke about the latest happenings in the world of international football, including Barcelona star Neymar’s recent move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in a record-breaking €222 million deal.
“I’m part of the people who don’t see any problem with it. You deal with talent. For a film, when they invest [USD] 400 million to make a movie, and they pay Brad Pitt for three months of work USD 30 million, nobody says anything,” he told Mohamed Hamdhoon, a sports journalist from local daily Mihaaru, after the futsal match with the Jumeirah Vittaveli team.
“I consider that Neymar coming to France will raise the profile of Paris Saint-Germain. Paris Saint-Germain will have a huge return on sponsorship and they will gain on merchandising. It’s business. It’s the fans and the media that have to understand that football has now become a business on its own. Taxi driver, tourism, broadcast, hotel — everybody will benefit. The Chinese will come to Paris again more and more to have a look at the picture of Neymar and to have a look at the stadium.”
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After sharing his passion for football with professionals as well as his hosts at Jumeirah Vittaveli, Desailly leaves the Maldives on Tuesday, but only to return. Like many sports legends, including Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Carlos Tevez, Arjen Robben, Miroslav Klose and Franz Beckenbauer, Desailly has also fallen in love with the white sand beaches and the blue skies of the Maldives.
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Simply summer at Milaidhoo: Invitation to slow living in the Baa Atoll
In a destination often defined by excess, Milaidhoo Maldives offers a different summer narrative: one of restraint, rhythm and rare stillness. Introducing Simply Summer, a seasonal escape that celebrates the art of slowing down within the UNESCO-protected waters of the Baa Atoll.
An intimate island sanctuary, Milaidhoo is designed for travellers who value time as the ultimate luxury. Days unfold unhurriedly, beginning with relaxed oceanfront breakfasts and shaped entirely by choice, from sunrise yoga and snorkelling in pristine coral gardens to long, private hours spent within the calm of one’s villa. Evenings are defined by elegant à la carte dining, inspired by seasonal flavours and served with effortless grace.
The Simply Summer offer enhances this experience with considered privileges rather than excess. Guests are invited to explore the Maldives’ natural wonders through manta ray encounters in the legendary Hanifaru Bay, indulge in restorative rituals at the overwater Serenity Spa, or discover the atoll through curated island adventures, all with exclusive seasonal savings.
A chilled bottle of Ruinart Champagne awaiting guests in their villa sets the tone on arrival, while flexible early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability) ensures that time is never hurried. Dining remains a central pleasure, with daily breakfast and à la carte dinners at Ocean Restaurant, complemented by generous dining credits across the island’s culinary venues.
Available for stays from 1st May to 31st October 2026, with a minimum stay of four nights, Simply Summer is an understated invitation to experience the Maldives at its most refined, quietly luxurious, deeply personal and guided by the gentle pace of island life.
Simply Summer – Key Inclusions:
- Daily breakfast at Ocean Restaurant
- Daily à la carte dinner at Ocean Restaurant
- USD 65 per person, per night dining credit (food-only) at other restaurants
- 30% savings on manta ray snorkelling in Hanifaru Bay (group excursion)
- 30% savings on selected treatments at Serenity Spa
- 30% savings on curated group excursions and island experiences
- Exclusive benefits when booking direct
Begin your Simply Summer at Milaidhoo.
Excursions
Manta season experience returns as InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau announces 2026 retreat
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has announced the dates for its 2026 Manta Retreat, following the programme’s strong reception in recent years. The retreat will take place from 24 to 27 March 2026, coinciding with the Maamunagau manta season, when juvenile manta rays are commonly sighted in the resort’s lagoon just offshore.
The resort will once again partner with The Manta Trust, one of the world’s leading manta ray research organisations, to co-host the retreat and offer guests an immersive, educational experience centred on marine conservation. The programme is designed for travellers seeking purpose-led experiences and a deeper understanding of manta rays within their natural environment.
Located on the edge of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and adjacent to a known juvenile manta ray aggregation site, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau provides direct access to key research and observation areas. During the retreat, guests will be able to participate in guided reef snorkelling, manta excursions led by The Manta Trust, coral restoration and planting workshops, and a series of educational sessions. Participants will also have the opportunity to adopt and name a manta ray as part of the conservation initiative.
The partnership between InterContinental Maldives and The Manta Trust has been in place since 2019. The retreat will be led by The Manta Trust’s base leader, Meral Hafeez, who will guide guests through manta ray encounters while sharing insight into the organisation’s ongoing research and conservation efforts in the surrounding waters. The programme offers participants a behind-the-scenes look at the daily work of the research team, including observing and recording manta ray behaviour.
In 2023, Maamunagau Lagoon was recognised as an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA), identifying it as a vital habitat for manta rays and a priority conservation site. The lagoon continues to serve as a key research area for The Manta Trust, allowing guests to observe manta rays in their natural environment within close proximity to the resort. Certified divers are also catered for, with access to dedicated dive sites where manta ray cleaning stations can be observed, highlighting the complex marine ecosystems of the Maldives.
Beyond the retreat activities, guests can enjoy the resort’s overwater villas, unwind at AVI Spa, or explore its range of dining experiences.
The participation fee for the Manta Retreat is USD 1,550++ per night, per room, based on double occupancy, with a minimum stay of four nights. The package includes one manta ray research trip, guided house reef snorkelling, manta ray adoption, educational workshops, and accommodation in a luxury villa or residence on a half-board basis.
Featured
Ten years of turtle conservation: Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Olive Ridley Project milestone
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, part of the boutique island resort collective Coco Collection, is marking ten years of partnership with the Olive Ridley Project (ORP), celebrating a decade-long commitment to marine conservation in the Maldives.
The partnership reached a significant milestone in 2017 with the opening of the Maldives’ first veterinary-led Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, pioneering specialised sea turtle care in the country. Since its establishment, the centre has treated and released 152 injured turtles, achieving a rehabilitation success rate of nearly 60 per cent. The facility plays a critical role in caring for turtles impacted by human activities, including entanglement in marine debris and ghost nets.
Beyond rescue and rehabilitation, the Olive Ridley Project leads long-term sea turtle research across the Maldives, collecting data on nesting activity, population trends and threats to marine life. This work contributed to the country’s first National Red List Assessment of Threatened Species, published in 2022. Supported by a network of citizen scientists, ORP’s Maldives research team has documented more than 45,000 sea turtle encounters nationwide. Over the past decade, Coco Collection has been a major contributor to this effort, recording nearly 3,500 encounters and reinforcing its position as one of ORP’s most significant research partners.
Guests at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu are invited to engage directly with these conservation initiatives through weekly marine talks, educational sessions led by the resort’s resident Marine Educator, and opportunities to witness rehabilitated sea turtles being released back into the ocean.

Commenting on the milestone, Siraj Waseem, General Manager of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, said that celebrating ten years of partnership with the Olive Ridley Project was a source of pride for Coco Collection. He noted that what began as a shared commitment to protecting marine life has evolved into a long-term collaboration rooted in education, conservation and meaningful guest engagement, adding that the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre continues to grow in strength with ORP’s support.
Dr Martin Stelfox, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Olive Ridley Project, said the decade-long partnership reflects a pioneering collaboration and significant progress in sea turtle conservation in the Maldives. He highlighted advances in conservation medicine and research achieved together, as well as the impact of inspiring guests and Maldivian interns to care for and protect the country’s marine environment.
Over the past ten years, the ORP Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu has hosted ten veterinary surgeons, each contributing to the development of sea turtle conservation medicine in the Maldives. Through the Sea Turtle Veterinary Trainee Programme, the resort and ORP have trained 29 veterinary professionals from 12 countries, helping to strengthen a global network of sea turtle clinical care across the Indian Ocean and beyond.
Alongside its conservation work, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu continues to offer a wide range of experiences for guests, from water sports such as water skiing, surfing and parasailing to sailing, paddle-boarding and kayaking in the surrounding lagoon. Visitors can also explore Maldivian culture through curated Coco Experiences that highlight local island life and heritage. As the resort marks ten years of collaboration with the Olive Ridley Project, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu continues to demonstrate how meaningful conservation efforts can coexist with memorable guest experiences.
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