Main man: Edgar Davids answers questions in his role as international ambassador to Tiger Street Football. — VNS Photo Tien Thanh

HCM CITY (VNS)— Street football plays a vital role in the development of football, according to Edgar Davids, the international ambassador to the 2012 International Tiger Street Football tournament.

"Modern football has always been influenced by street football. You can see football being played on streets all over the world, especially in South America," Davids said.

"Street football has nurtured many great football players. You can see the contributions Pele, Ronaldinho, Messi and many others, whose early football exposure was on the streets, have been made to football," the Dutchman added.

Davids, who got his nickname ‘The Pitbull' from his position as a combative defensive midfielder, also sent a message to young football fans willing to pursue a football career.

"In order to be a great player, you have to train hard everyday and film your training, so your moves can be corrected," he said.

Davids had played for many famous clubs in Europe, but it is Juventus he has the fondest memories of. "I had a great time with every club I played for but Juventus left me with great feeling. It is probably because I spent a long part of my career at the club," the 39-year-old said.

Nguyen Hoang Nam or Nam The man, a Vietnamese Irish, was also present at the press conference with Davids.

"Being a freestyle football expert gives me opportunities to travel to many places across the world and work with Davids on street football projects," said Nam, who has been playing freestyle football for eleven years.

"I am currently happy with my job as a freestyle football expert, but it is possible that I will seek chances to work in television," the 32-year-old added.

The 2012 International Tiger Street Football, which is being held for the first time in Viet Nam, will go to the final round today at September 23 Park, District 1, HCM City.

The final round includes four Vietnamese teams, who finished in the top four in local Tiger Street Football competitions, and six foreign teams, who won Tiger Street Football competitions in their own countries, from Brazil, Argentina, Malaysia, Singapore, China and Thailand. — VNS