UN Chief kicks off Real Madrid-Levante soccer match

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon believes Real Madrid is one of the best soccer teams in the world, and particularly likes goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Mr. Ban was performing the ceremonial kick-off at Real Madrid-Levante match at the Santiago Bernanéu stadium in the Spanish capital of Madrid.

The match was won by Real with a score of 5:1.

"I've watched Real Madrid matches for years and its one of the best teams in the world," Mr. Ban said in an interview for the club’s TV channel. "I particularly like Casillas, who is a good United Nations ambassador for the Millennium Development Goals."

Yesterday, Mr. Ban Ki-moon launched the campaign "MDG Momentum – 1,000 Days of Action," calling on governments, international organizations and civil society groups to work with the UN to achieve greater gains in tackling poverty, promoting education, health, development and peace.