10 Things Lionel Messi Wants You To Forget About

By Dale Armitage /

2. The 'Messi & Friends' Series Of Charity Games

Like many of the world€™s biggest stars, Messi does his fair share for charity. He is a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, has his own charity set up in his name, as well as making numerous other appearances and donations the world over. Yet it€™s the €˜Messi and friends€™ series of charity games that casts doubts on the veracity of these charitable endeavours. Germany€™s Der Spiegel claimed this year that they have evidence that Robert Lewandowski was offered ‚180,000 to participate in a €˜Messi and friends vs the rest of the world€™ charity game back in 2013. Lewandowski declined the offer, but plenty of other pros happily took part, presumably handsomely recompensed in spite of the game€™s supposed charitable nature. Der Spiegel doesn€™t stop there, however. They claim that of the $7.9m generated for charity, only $300,000 went to Messi's foundation. The rest appears unaccounted for, leading to suggestions the series of games were conducted primarily to line the pockets of footballers and agents alike.