Lionel Messi's foundation - FundacionLeoMessi works to build a better future for children and adolescents internationally. Part of the foundation's current project is Learning and collaborating in the fight against Chagas disease from Santiago del Estero, Rehabilitating a municipal sports venue in the city of Rosario, Structural development and maintenance of a school for children located in Santiago del Estero.
So implementing all these is not small money.
The normal way of generating money for this kind of cause is organizing charity matches where fans pay to see their favorite footballers take on each other and the proceeds of the game go directly to the foundation.
Messi has followed suite by assembling a galaxy of stars to take part in a trio of charity matches for his foundation.
Former Chelsea forward Florent Malouda, who is currently a free agent following a campaign in the reserves at the Blues, joins stars such as Sergio Aguero, Edinson Cavani and Thierry Henry for ‘Lionel Messi and Friends’ matches being held over the next fortnight in Columbia, Peru and Chicago.
The first match in Medellin, Columbia, will also feature the likes of Javier Mascherano, Robinho, James Rodriguez, Mario Yepes, Martin Demichelis, Pablo Aimar, Daniel Osvaldo, Marek Hamsik, Paolo Cannavaro, Eric Abidal, Julio Baptista, Diego Lugano, David Luiz, Alex Song, Carlos Bocanegra and Cesc Fabregas in the 36-man squad.
Florent Malouda is evidently delighted at being selected to play, “The games will not only bring together some of the greatest talents still playing the game but will also raise funds for a very worthy cause,” he said.
"One day, after a visit to a hospital, I realized the special dimension of a public figure. I understood that to these sick children the presence of a known player can be very helpful. You are there and they smile and for them is a special joy because they are most eager to keep fighting, because they really believe they will outgrow the disease and to pursue their dreams..
I reached my dream of becoming a footballer and I want you to know that I fought hard to get and I have to fight even harder to keep. That effort and that success I want to use it to help children who need it most, because that is what I chose, because I get excited every day that a child smile when he thinks that there is hope, when I see him happy. So we decided to create the Foundation Leo Messi. And I will keep fighting to bring joy to children with the same force and intensity that I need to remain footballer " (Leo Messi, May 17, 2010)
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