Lionel Messi named global ambassador for Expo 2020

Football star Lionel Messi has been named the first global ambassador for the Expo 2020 in Dubai.

Messi, centre, who was voted Ballon d’Or Winner by his peers for a record fifth time this week, will take up an international role as a ‘champion’ for the emirate in the build-up to the global exhibition celebrating partnerships, cultural diversity and technological wonders. Getty Images
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Lionel Messi joining their club is the dream of football fans the world over – and that dream has become reality for Dubai, with the announcement that Barcelona’s Argentine superstar is to become the emirate’s first global ambassador for Expo 2020.

Messi, who was voted the Ballon d’Or winner by his peers for a record fifth time on Monday, will take up an international role as a “champion” for Dubai in the build-up to the global exhibition that celebrates partnerships, cultural diversity and technological wonders.

Reem Al Hashemy, Minister of State and director general of Expo 2020, said: “Lionel Messi’s performances on the football pitch bring people together, and as a result his influence reaches far beyond it.

“He is the ideal person to be our first global ambassador and perfectly placed to reach out to young people around the world, bringing them together to join us as we work towards hosting our World Expo in 2020.”

Other ambassadors are to be recruited from leading figures in the worlds of sport, arts, music, culture and media, as well as international leaders in various other fields.

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