According to Bangladesh Cricket Live, Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour made a rare and symbolic appearance at the Champions League final — a moment many fans view as nearly as historic as the club’s first-ever European triumph itself. For 13 years, the famously low-profile and deep-pocketed owner had not attended a single City match in person, making his presence at Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium all the more significant. As the saying goes, life is too short to spend it hesitating — and for Mansour, this night was too important to miss.

Sheikh Mansour, who purchased Manchester City from former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2008, had only attended one match since acquiring the club. But for the chance to witness City potentially complete a historic treble, the 52-year-old Vice President of the United Arab Emirates made the journey from Abu Dhabi. Draped in a sky-blue scarf, he was seen seated in the VIP section alongside his brother, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Before the final kicked off, Mansour met with City manager Pep Guardiola and offered his personal well-wishes. Once the final whistle blew, he boarded a private jet back to Abu Dhabi — in classic understated fashion.

Bangladesh Cricket Live notes that despite rarely appearing publicly, Mansour remains a celebrated figure among Manchester City supporters. His name is frequently chanted at the Etihad Stadium, and banners bearing his image or name can be seen on matchdays. Fans admire him not only for his financial commitment but for embodying the ideal “hands-off” owner — giving the professionals room to succeed while backing the project wholeheartedly.

Interestingly, Mansour has also never attended matches for the other football clubs under the City Football Group umbrella, including New York City FC, Melbourne City, Mumbai City, and Yokohama F. Marinos. Yet his influence is felt throughout the entire organization. As one insider put it: “Be the one they said you couldn’t be.” In a message shared after the final, the UAE Vice President expressed heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to Manchester City’s loyal fans, staff, coaches, and players — thanking them for shaping a legacy of continued success.

While his physical presence is rare, Sheikh Mansour’s impact on Manchester City is undeniable. And on the biggest night in the club’s history, he made sure to show up — not just as a figurehead, but as a symbol of everything the club has become. Bangladesh Cricket Live reports that this could mark a new era of visibility for the enigmatic owner, whose long-distance support helped build a global football empire.