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Dubai, UAE - Multi-award-winning footballer, Lionel Messi has today been announced as the first Global Ambassador for Dubai's World Expo, taking on an international role as a champion for Expo 2020 Dubai.
Messi, who yesterday won the coveted Ballon D'Or for a record fifth time, is one of the most widely known footballers in the world. With over 80 million followers on social media, and recognition levels above 85%, by international survey respondents, he is one of the most influential players in modern football.
"Expos are all about focusing attention on issues of global interest and global concern to help imagine a better future," said Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Director General of Expo 2020. "What better way to do this than by recruiting allies among people who are already working towards better future outcomes?"
Expo 2020 is guided by the belief that innovation and progress are the result of people and ideas combining in new ways. Under the theme 'Connecting Minds Creating the Future', the international event aims to bring together hundreds of countries and millions of people to celebrate human ingenuity.
"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. He overcame youthful health challenges to achieve his dreams of international excellence through hard work; making him an inspiration. He is 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 " H.E. Al Hashimy explained.
Expo 2020 Global Ambassadors will be recruited from leading figures in the sports, arts, music, culture and media, as well as international thought leaders in the fields of architecture & design, science & technology, business, economics, education, philanthropy and sustainability.
Ambassadors will travel the world, talking to stakeholders to explore connections between their work and that of Expo 2020, along with potential opportunities for collaboration and engagement.
The organisers of Expo 2020 Dubai will be making further ambassadorial appointments over the coming months.
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About Expo 2020 Dubai
· Expo 2020 Dubai will play host to 25 million visits across the 6 months of the event. This will be the most international Expo in history, with 70% of visitors travelling internationally to attend the Expo.
· The Expo will form the centrepiece for celebrations of the UAE's Golden Jubilee.
Since the first Great Exhibition of 1851, World Expos have continued to be one of the largest and most enduring global mega-events. Lasting six months, World Expos attract millions of visitors who explore and discover pavilions, exhibits and cultural events staged by hundreds of participants including nations, multilateral organisations and businesses.
Dubai's World Expo is held under the theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, echoing the powerful spirit of partnership and co-operation that has driven the UAE's success in pioneering new paths of development and innovation. Through this theme, Expo 2020 Dubai will serve as a catalyst, connecting minds from around the world and inspiring participants to mobilise around shared challenges, during a World Expo of unprecedented global scope, under the sub-themes of: Mobility, Opportunity and Sustainability.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Barcelona and the Argentinian national team. Messi is the only football player in history to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or five times, four of which he won consecutively, and the first player to win three European Golden Shoes. Born and raised in central Argentina, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child. At the age of 13, he relocated to Spain to join Barcelona, which agreed to pay for his medical treatment.
For more information, please visit www.fcbarcelona.com/all-about-leo-messi
For media enquiries, please contact:
Expo 2020 Dubai Media Office
Email: media@expo2020dubai.ae
P.O. Box 2020, Dubai, UAE
www.expo2020dubai.ae
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© Press Release 2016
