UNICEF today appointed Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona and Argentina national team football star, as a global Goodwill Ambassador.
Ann M. Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director, welcomed the 2009 FIFA World Player, saying Messi is a football superstar who can help shine a spotlight on the most vulnerable and invisible children.Messi thanked UNICEF for the chance to give support to children who need help in his role as global Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.
Messi will start working as a Goodwill Ambassador with a trip to Argentina, the home of the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports access for vulnerable children to education and health care.
The Argentinean star joins a list of extraordinary UNICEF spokespersons, including Queen Rania of Jordan, actress Mia Farrow, singer Shakira, Sir Roger Moore, Orlando Bloom and Danny Glover, among many others.