Messi scores again as UNWTO Tourism Ambassador

Football superstar Lionel Messi, has been appointed as an ambassador for responsible tourism by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Considered by many to the best football player of all time, the Barcelona and Argentina star was appointed to the role by UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili after Barcelona’s recent match against Leganés.

Messi said: “During my travels I have had the opportunity to know other cultures and societies as well as others ways to see the world and this is very enriching.

“The World Tourism Organization as a specialized Agency of the United Nations works to make tourism a source of development and I am happy I can join this mission of promoting responsible tourism.”

Zurab Pololikashvili and Lionel Messi

Messi is an example of talent and constant work in football, admired around the world not the least for the success he has brought to the Barcelona in recent years, including eight Spanish League titles, four Champion Leagues and five King’s Cups of Spain.

He is also the first football player in history to win five Ballon d’Or – the first four consecutively – and four European Golden Boot awards.

Pololikashvili said: “Messi is a unique sportsman and an example of how willpower and constant work yield good results. It is a great honour to have Messi joining UNWTO and other well-known personalities in promoting the positive values and benefits that tourism represents.”

Messi joins the Spanish footballer Fernando Hierro and Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque, as the first personalities that UNWTO has appointed to advance the links between sports and tourism and to promote the transformative power of responsible tourism.