Middle East operator group Qtel is re-launching itself under a new brand – ‘Ooredoo.’

The operator unveiled the new brand – which translates as ‘I want’ in Arabic – at an exclusive event in Barcelona tonight. It was also announced that football superstar Lionel Messi is to become the operator’s new global brand ambassador.

All operating companies in which Qtel owns a majority interest will adopt the new brand over the next two years.

This will see the phasing out of local brands such as Qtel in Qatar, Indosat in Indonesia, Wataniya in Kuwait, Nawras in Oman, Tunisiana in Tunisia, and Nedjma in Algeria.

“The new brand signals our readiness to take the company to the next level,” said Group CEO Dr Nasser Marafih.

Qtel claims to have been the world’s fastest-growing telco in terms of sales since 2006. It had a global customer base of more than 89.2 million at the end of Q3 2012, generating revenue of $6.8 billion for the first nine months of 2012.

Featuring at tonight’s launch was GSMA Director General Anne Bouverot, Cherie Blair of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women; and Dr Hamadoun Toure, Secretary General of the ITU. There was also an appearance by Qatari Olympic medallist Nasser al Attiyah.

Qtel has also agreed to support the Leo Messi Foundation in return for the Barcelona FC star becoming its new brand ambassador.