The Argentine captain of Barcelona, Lionel Messi, received the 2020 Champion of Peace award this Friday awarded by the Pace and Sports Awards, in recognition of their fair play and social work. Messi, finalist for best player of the year at the FIFA The Best awards, received a special award this Friday, little related to his soccer virtues, but closely linked to his human qualities.
The award, as detailed by the organization in a statement, recognizes fair play on the field of play, and those initiatives related to sport that aim to contribute to achieving peace, justice and social inclusion. Leo Messi, champion of six golden balls in the ranks of Barcelona and the Argentine national team, this time wins a decoration with the elastic of his foundation.
In 2007, the Rosario star launched the Leo Messi Foundation, with the aim of promoting education and social inclusion for disabled children around the world, particularly in Mozambique, Palestine, Kenya, Syria, Nepal, Spain and his native Argentina. Didier Drogba, former Ivorian footballer and vice president of Peace and Sport, along with winners of the award in past editions such as French footballer Blaise Matuidi (Inter Miami), South African rugby player Siya Kolisi (Stormers) or former French footballer Christian Karembeu, congratulated the Argentine for the achievement of this award.