In 2022, Lionel Messi announces that he will be participating in his last world cup. Prior to the World Cup, Messi had already been the recipient of thirty-five trophies, including four Champions Leagues, ten La Liga, seven Copa del Reys, three World Cups, three European Super Cups, eight Supercopa de Espana, and finally, the 2022 World Cup.
Argentina had beaten Australia, Netherlands, and Croatia to move onto the finals against his teammate Killian Mbappe and France. In one of the greatest penalty shootouts of all time, Argentina was victorious.
“On Sunday afternoon, Argentina and its superstar player, Lionel Messi, claimed the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Prior to the tournament, Messi had already announced this would be his last World Cup.” The legacy that Messi will leave behind for his country’s soccer team is something very few athletes are capable of doing. He has been the forerunner of Argentina’s dominant athletic reputation. His victory cemented his name as one of the greatest soccer players, and maybe athletes of all time.
Messi also strives to make change outside of his soccer career with his ongoing philanthropy. During the Covid-19 pandemic, poor funding led to Barcelona staff members being underpaid. “During this time, in addition to his donations, Messi also led the Barcelona players in taking a 70 percent pay cut as an act of solidarity to the non-playing staff at the club, ensuring they will be paid fully.” This act helped raise around one million euros for the team’s salary and healthcare. Messi had been making selfless contributions, not only to his country and team’s staff but globally since 2010.
In 2010 Messi became a UNICEF ambassador. UNICEF is the United Nations International Children’s, Emergency Fund. This program focuses on granting children developmental and humanitarian aid. They are present in more than 190 countries and help all children/adolescents in need. He used his personal Leo Messi Foundation to invest, promote, and bring light to UNICEF’s cause. “
“He traveled to Haiti with UNICEF to bring public A to the plight of the country’s children in the wake of the earthquake … the Leo Messi Foundation, which invests in health-care services to improve children’s lives.” Lionel Messi is not only a philanthropist but a selfless trendsetter. During the pandemic, when the people around him needed help the most, he gave back to them. He is kind-hearted and filled with goodwill. He looks after the children of the world and values the world’s health as much as his own.
Sources:
Goal Reporters. “Lionel Messi Philanthropy: What Charities Is the Barcelona Star Involved in
Giving Money & Raising Money for?” Lionel Messi Philanthropy: What Charities Is the Barcelona Star Involved in Giving Money & Raising Money for? | Goal.com, https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/lionel-messi-philanthropy-charities-barcelona-giving-money/oh7oasuijk8814mjcfrpa9v74.
UNICEF Reporters. “Leo Messi.” UNICEF, 9 Nov. 2022,
https://www.unicef.org/goodwill-ambassadors/leo-messi.
Garsd, Jasmine. “Lionel Messi’s Legacy Solidified in Argentina after Taking Home the World
Cup.” NPR, NPR, 19 Dec. 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/12/19/1144230133/lionel-messis-legacy-solidified-in-argentina-after-taking-home-the-world-cup.
Featured Image: UNICEF