Rwandese President Paul Kagame was in Europe to watch Uefa Champions League semi finals matches involving Visit Rwanda partner teams.
On Wednesday, April 29th, 2026, Kagame attended the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg between Visit Rwanda partners Atlético Madrid and Arsenal Football Club at Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium in the Spanish capital.
The match ended in a 1–1 draw, with both goals coming from the penalty spot. Viktor Gyökeres converted for Arsenal, while Julián Álvarez scored for Atlético Madrid.
Both sides are chasing a historic breakthrough in Europe’s top football competition and neither has ever won the UEFA Champions League trophy.
Kagame’s presence in Madrid comes just a day after he attended another high-profile semi-final clash in Paris, where Visit Rwanda partner Paris Saint-Germain edged Bayern Munich 5–4 in a thrilling first-leg encounter at Parc des Princes.
At that match, Kagame joined PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and former French president Nicolas Sarkozy in the stands as the French side secured a narrow advantage ahead of the return leg.
Three clubs currently partnered with Rwanda’s Visit Rwanda initiative—Arsenal FC, Paris Saint-Germain, and Atlético de Madrid—have all secured their places in the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
Bayern Munich, a former Visit Rwanda partner, continues to collaborate with Rwanda through football development initiatives, including youth training, coaching exchange programmes, and grassroots projects.
President Paul Kagame welcomed the milestone, praising the teams for their performances.
“Proud to see three Visit Rwanda partners qualifying for the UEFA Champions League semi-finals! The performances of Atlético de Madrid, Arsenal and PSG have shown consistency, excellence and resolve, and we look forward to the games ahead!” Kagame wrote on X.
The two semi finals matches highlight the strong presence of Visit Rwanda partner clubs in the latter stages of Europe’s premier club competition, with decisive return legs set for next week.
