Last week, soccer star Lionel Messi become the first player to net five goals in a Champions League game, a pretty impressive accomplishment on its own, earning him ‘best player ever’ chit-chat from the soccer world.

Even more impressive is the fact that the Barcelona player-via his Foundation- has joined forces with EA Sports to rebuild a popular street soccer pitch located in the Bon Pastor neighborhood of Barcelona.

“Football has brought me so much joy, and this new street football pitch will hopefully bring that same joy to children across Barcelona,” said Messi. “EA SPORTS shares my passion for helping the dreams of children come true, and I thank them for bringing this new project to life.”

The spot has been in disrepair for years and will be given a new state-of-the-art surface, side boards, goals, etc thereby ‘creating a high-quality and safe environment for the youth’ of Barcelona to enjoy.

“Our partnership with the Leo Messi Foundation is fundamental to our relationship with the world’s undisputed greatest footballer, and this pitch refurbishment is a great first project in that partnership,” said Jon Rosenblatt, Senior Director of Marketing, EA SPORTS. “We can’t wait to see the kids of Barcelona enjoying the new pitch and expressing their love of football in a safe and quality environment.”

The pitch refurbishment project is funded by EA SPORTS and the Leo Messi Foundation. In November of last year, EA SPORTS announced a multi-faceted partnership that will see Messi become an EA SPORTS Football Ambassador. EA SPORTS is teaming up with the Leo Messi Foundation to support social, educational and health care related initiatives for children around the world. Messi will also be the cornerstone of marketing and advertising campaigns, featured on packaging, and utilized in social media activities around the world for the critically acclaimed FIFA franchise.

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delinda@athlebrities.com

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