By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Suez Canal Bank signs protocol with Chinese TEDA to support investment in SCZone
    Suez Canal Bank signs protocol with Chinese TEDA to support investment in SCZone
    June 1, 2023
    Egypt, GIZ sign agreement of €8m to support e-government, innovation in management
    Egypt, GIZ sign agreement of €8m to support e-government, innovation in management
    June 1, 2023
    Egypt hosts InnoXera Summit on education in artificial intelligenceage
    Egypt hosts InnoXera Summit on education in artificial intelligenceage
    June 1, 2023
    Egyptian economy offers great competitive advantage, diversified investment opportunities: Ayman Soliman
    Egyptian economy offers great competitive advantage, diversified investment opportunities: Ayman Soliman
    June 1, 2023
    Egypt's new membership in New Development Bank enhances South-South cooperation: Al-Mashat
    Egypt’s new membership in New Development Bank enhances South-South cooperation: Al-Mashat
    June 1, 2023
  • Politics
    PoliticsShow More
    Madbouly reaffirms Egypt’s unwavering assistance for Palestine
    Madbouly reaffirms Egypt’s unwavering assistance for Palestine
    June 1, 2023
    Egypt reiterates firm position in support of Palestinian cause: Shoukry
    Egypt reiterates firm position in support of Palestinian cause: Shoukry
    June 1, 2023
    Egypt and France discuss joint cooperation in the health sector
    Egypt and France discuss joint cooperation in the health sector 
    June 1, 2023
    AU praises Egypt's role in achieving sustainable peace in Africa despite challenges
    AU praises Egypt’s role in achieving sustainable peace in Africa despite challenges
    May 31, 2023
    Opinion| Russia and China promote stability in the Middle East after the US withdrawal from the region
    Opinion| Russia and China promote stability in the Middle East after the US withdrawal from the region
    May 31, 2023
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    EFG Finance to launch unified platform gathering all its financing services: Alaa Al-Afifi
    EFG Finance to launch unified platform gathering all its financing services: Alaa Al-Afifi
    May 31, 2023
    I changed my artistic path to create ‘state of wonder’: Tarek Lotfi
    I changed my artistic path to create ‘state of wonder’: Tarek Lotfi
    May 25, 2023
    I adore Ramadan drama, ‘Telt Al-Talata’ series achieved great success: Ghada Abdel Razek
    I adore Ramadan drama, ‘Telt Al-Talata’ series achieved great success: Ghada Abdel Razek
    May 8, 2023
    We aim to establish Egypt as nearshore centre for Software AG for MET region: Rami Kichli
    We aim to establish Egypt as nearshore centre for Software AG for MET region: Rami Kichli
    April 29, 2023
    Egypt-Spain relations witness remarkable development in recent years: Spanish ambassador in Cairo
    Egypt-Spain relations witness remarkable development in recent years: Spanish ambassador in Cairo
    April 18, 2023
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Reading: Messi’s other side
Share
Notification
Latest News
Suez Canal Bank signs protocol with Chinese TEDA to support investment in SCZone
Suez Canal Bank signs protocol with Chinese TEDA to support investment in SCZone
Banking
Egypt, GIZ sign agreement of €8m to support e-government, innovation in management
Egypt, GIZ sign agreement of €8m to support e-government, innovation in management
Business
Egypt hosts InnoXera Summit on education in artificial intelligenceage
Egypt hosts InnoXera Summit on education in artificial intelligenceage
Business
Madbouly reaffirms Egypt’s unwavering assistance for Palestine
Madbouly reaffirms Egypt’s unwavering assistance for Palestine
Region Politics
Egypt reiterates firm position in support of Palestinian cause: Shoukry
Egypt reiterates firm position in support of Palestinian cause: Shoukry
Politics Egypt
Aa
Aa
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.
Dailynewsegypt > Blog > Opinion > Messi’s other side
Opinion

Messi’s other side

Daily News Egypt
Last updated: 2014/12/05 at 9:11 PM
By Daily News Egypt 4 Min Read
Share
Dr. Cesar Chelala
SHARE
Dr. Cesar Chelala
Dr. Cesar Chelala

By Dr Cesar Chelala

When almost everybody thought that Lionel Messi’s best times were in the past, the Argentine player became the top scorer both in the Spanish and in the Champions League – an extraordinary achievement – proving again his exceptional qualities. There is, however, another side to Messi that is as remarkable and much less well known: his work as a humanitarian.

Messi’s foundation supports sick Argentine children (mostly from his hometown of Rosario) to allow them to get paid treatment in Spain, covering hospital, round-trip transportation from Argentina and recovery costs. In March 2010, Messi was named Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, where he has been able to continue his work in support of vulnerable children.

In 2011 in Barcelona, Messi characteristically showed the humanitarian side of his personality. During a game between FC Barcelona and CA Osasuna there was not a happier person in Barcelona than an 11-year-old Moroccan boy called Soufian.

Soufian saw his hero Lionel Messi slapping his thighs after scoring the first goal against Osasuna. Following his goal, Messi lifted his hands in a characteristic gesture and immediately started slapping his thighs, in a way that he had agreed beforehand with Soufian would signal that this goal was dedicated to him.

Messi had met Soufian last January, and for a few unforgettable minutes had played football with the Moroccan boy, a fan of his. When he again met the boy recently, he promised him that his first goal would be dedicated to him. And he kept his promise. It was a characteristic gesture of generosity by the most uncharacteristic and talented of all football players.

Soufian had lost both of his legs to Laurin-Sandrow syndrome, an extremely rare genetic condition. Set with artificial legs, he never lost his passion for football. And he feverishly followed Messi’s performances in Barcelona’s team.

The Moroccan boy was never disappointed. Neither was the Spanish sportscaster who, aware of that promise, kept yelling after that goal, “Messi is huge, Messi is huge!” When the game was finished, Messi’s team had defeated Osasuna 8-0, with two more goals from Messi.

The Moroccan boy is such a fan of Messi that he has his artificial legs painted in the colours of Messi’s team. He has also painted on them the number 10, Messi’s shirt number, usually given to the best player.

Since he was 19, Messi decided to use part of the earnings from football for good causes. In 2007, he established the Leo Messi Foundation, a charity aimed at helping vulnerable children gain access to better health and education opportunities. It was, perhaps, his way of expressing gratitude for overcoming his own childhood health problems.

In a fan-site interview Messi stated: “Being a bit famous now gives me the opportunity to help people who really need it, particularly children.”

Throughout his professional career, Messi has proven to be unique. He is unique as a football player and remarkable as a human being. He not only is the most recognisable face of football worldwide, he is a kind young man who brought hope and a brilliant smile to a young Moroccan boy.

 

Dr Cesar Chelala is a New York writer

 

You Might Also Like

Opinion| Russia and China promote stability in the Middle East after the US withdrawal from the region

Opinion| The American debt crisis and the 2024 elections

Opinion| Tips for startups operating in the tough environment of emerging markets

Opinion| Behind the scenes of the US-China conflict over Taiwan’s chips

Opinion| G7 Summit mobilizes Asian countries against China, while Beijing strengthens its position in Central Asia

TAGGED: Argentine, Daily News Egypt, DNE, Dr. César Chelala, Football, Messi, opinion
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Previous Article From the stars to planet Earth: Eric Garner, Ferguson, and injustice in America
Next Article Egypt and Gulf security equations
3 Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ad image
Ad image

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Instagram Follow
Youtube Subscribe

Latest News

Suez Canal Bank signs protocol with Chinese TEDA to support investment in SCZone
Suez Canal Bank signs protocol with Chinese TEDA to support investment in SCZone
Banking
Egypt, GIZ sign agreement of €8m to support e-government, innovation in management
Egypt, GIZ sign agreement of €8m to support e-government, innovation in management
Business
Egypt hosts InnoXera Summit on education in artificial intelligenceage
Egypt hosts InnoXera Summit on education in artificial intelligenceage
Business
Madbouly reaffirms Egypt’s unwavering assistance for Palestine
Madbouly reaffirms Egypt’s unwavering assistance for Palestine
Region Politics
//
Egypt’s only independent daily newspaper in English. Discuss the country’s latest with the paper’s reporters, editors, and other readers.

Quick Link

  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc..

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?