Gaizka Mendieta is a hit as Liga BBVA ambassador in Cape Town

Liga BBVA ambassador Gaizka Mendieta carried all the passion and emotion of Spanish football to Cape Town. The South African city was the venue chosen by LaLiga to host its first official match broadcast from the African continent, at a worldwide event that confirms the competition's global expansion.

Mendieta was lucky enough to witness LaLiga's arrival in Africa first hand. The former Spain international's arrival caused quite a stir amongst South African football fans at an event that saw LaLiga elevated to the country's biggest sporting attraction.

Mendieta did not hesitate to describe LaLiga as "the best competition in the world" before telling local press that "no other country has won as many European titles in recent years". It was an event to test first hand just how much passion Spain's domestic competition generates. The Basque former player was the star guest on SABC's TV programme 'Hectic Nine9'.

Fans from all over the world were given the opportunity to chat with the former player via LaLiga's official Facebook page. He admitted that he came close to joining Athletic Club de Bilbao and said that LaLiga was privileged to have the likes of Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in its ranks. He also left the following message for fans in Cape Town. Come and join us this Saturday at the #LaLigaCapeTown at the city's Sea Point Promenade Park, where you will be able to watch the Madrid derby between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in what is set to be a fiesta of Spanish football.

As an ambassador, Mendieta will join Patrick Kluivert at the event organised by LaLiga in Cape Town which will broadcast the derby game between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid live from the Spanish capital.