Lionel Messi has donated a once-in-a-lifetime meet-and-greet to the Football For Change charity founded by Jude Bellingham and other footballers.
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Messi makes astonishing donationCharity founded by Bellingham, Carragher and othersCharity helps young people growing up in povertyWHAT HAPPENED?
Per Messi has donated the experience to the charity ahead of a gala dinner on Saturday, in which they are hoping to raise over £1 million. The Football For Change gala was founded by Bellingham, along with Jamie Carragher, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Coady in 2021.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi's efforts could fetch over £300,000 while David Beckham, Inter Miami's co-owner, has also donated a tour of the football club, potentially to be conducted by the former England captain himself. Football For Change will also hand out 20 grants, each worth £100,000, for children and young people growing up in disadvantaged communities in the United Kingdom.
WHAT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD SAID
Ahead of the gala this weekend, Alexander-Arnold said: "Football For Change is about helping young people onto a positive path. It is footballers and business leaders coming together with a goal to help improve the life chances and opportunities of young people from some of the most challenged neighbourhoods in the country. It is a brilliant initiative and I know growing up in Liverpool that is needed now more than ever.”
GettyWHAT NEXT?
Messi will likely be keeping a close eye on the auction this weekend. He is on international duty with Argentina ahead of two vital World Cup qualifiers; they face Uruguay on Friday before playing Brazil on Wednesday.