The UNWTO has appointed Lionel Messi as an Ambassador for Responsible Tourism. Messi has won a total of 30 titles with F.C. Barcelona, including eight Spanish Leagues, 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 won consecutively, and four European Golden Shoes.
“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 Organisation as a specialised 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,” said Lionel Messi.
Lionel Messi joins the Spanish football player Fernando Hierro and the Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque as Ambassadors for Responsible Tourism.
Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UNWTO 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.”
