Ronaldo, Messi, Djokovic, Bolt and other stars who visited Expo 2020 Dubai - in pictures

A number of famous names have visited the site over the past six months

Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo at the Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020 site, in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Cristiano Ronaldo takes a selfie with the crowd at the Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020 Dubai. Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo during his visit to Expo 2020 Dubai on January 28, 2022. AFP

Lionel Messi during his visit to the Expo 2020 Dubai site on December 13, 2021. Reuters

Lionel Messi at the famous water feature during his visit to Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo - Expo 2020 Dubai

Mercedes' F1 driver Lewis Hamilton at Expo 2020 Dubai on March 14, 2022. AFP

Lewis Hamilton interacted with fans at Expo 2020 Dubai on March 14, 2022. AFP

Arsenal club players at Emirates' Expo 2020 Dubai pavilion. Photo: Emirates

Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette at Expo 2020 Dubai on February 1, 2022. Getty

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during his visit to Expo 2020 Dubai.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, left, and chief executive Ferran Soriano, are presented with an Expo 2020 Dubai shirt by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, president of the UAE Football Association. Photo: UAE FA

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola at Expo 2020 Dubai. He met with young footballers at the exhibition’s City Football Schools’ site.

Manchester City star Ruben Dias at the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Andrew Scott / The National

Pep Guardiola at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt visited the Expo 2020 Dubai site.

Usain Bolt took part in a family run to raise funds for charity at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

Novak Djokovic enters the Serbian Pavilion at the Dubai Expo site. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Tennis great Novak Djokovic with wife Jelena at the Serbia Pavilion of Expo Dubai 2020. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Novak Djokovic tries on a virtual reality headset at the Serbia Pavilion. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

British boxer Anthony Joshua visited Expo 2020 Dubai on January 6, 2022. Getty

Anthony Joshua at Expo 2020 Dubai. Getty

Expo 2020 Dubai opened its doors to the world on October 1, 2021, and after a spectacular six-month extravaganza that saw 20 million visitors enjoy its various sights, pavilions, and shows, will draw to a close on March 31.

The unprecedented number of visitors proved once again that the UAE is the hub of world-class tourism and business, setting a new benchmark for future mega events.

“When we started this journey in 2013, and even before then as we prepared the bid for Expo 2020 Dubai, we had a dream to welcome the world to Dubai and the UAE for an unprecedented global gathering that would live long in hearts and minds,” Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman of the Expo’s Higher Committee, had said.

“That we have fulfilled this dream is already beyond doubt, but to achieve such a landmark number of visits is true testament to how the world has responded to what we have worked so long and hard to create."

Pavilions from across the world showcasing the best each country has to offer have been a big hit among visitors, with various shows from celebrities, movie stars and music greats keeping visitors coming back for more.

A number of sports stars have visited the Expo 2020 Dubai site over the past six months, from football icons like Cristiano Rolando and Lionel Messi to tennis great Novak Djokovic and Formula One star Lewis Hamilton.

During his visit, Ronaldo thanked his fans for providing him motivation to continue pushing for excellence.

“So you guys, you are my motivation to carry on, to play football,” Ronaldo said.

“Because without you guys, football will be less. We are guided by the fans. The motivation, the love makes me feel so proud. I don’t have words to express myself more than that.”

Hamilton, meanwhile, revealed at Expo 2020 Dubai that he plans to change his name in honour of his mother. "I’m also about to put my mum’s name in my name. I want my mum’s name to continue with the Hamilton name, so soon we will see that,” he revealed.

Also, Jamaica's sprint king Usain Bolt took part in a 1.45-kilometre family run to raise funds for Al Noor Rehabilitation and Welfare Association for People of Determination during his visit to the Expo site.

All sports stars who have visited Expo 2020 Dubai can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.