On June 21, Messi continued his latest installment of "Messi and Friends" — an worldwide exhibition soccer tour which focuses on helping underprivileged children throughout the world. His most recent game was dedicated to the children of Colombia.
Most of the work Messi does off the field is related to his Leo Messi Foundation, which he founded in 2007 to help children and adolescents that are at risk throughout the world (when it comes to education, health, and more).
In 2011, the Argentinean star partnered with FIFA Street who, in exchange for having Messi as its star, dedicated funds to his foundation and also rebuilt a street court in a poor area of Barcelona.
It was not his first foray into video games. In 2010 he helped sponsor Pro Evolution Soccer alongside Spanish star Fernando Torres.
Messi has been a sponsor for Herbalife since 2010, as one of its main spokespeople with proceeds from the company going to his foundation.
His foundation has also been linked to UNICEF. The star finally became an international ambassador for the organization in 2010. He has visited at-risk places like Haiti with UNICEF as part of his role.
Of course, due to his superb talent, Messi has always been a star at the awards ceremonies — especially the Golden Ball, which he has won three consecutive years.
Due to his actions on and off the field, Messi has become one of the defining stars of our generation, as he was twice named in Time Magazine's list of the 100 Most Influential People.
Messi is sponsored by Adidas and, in addition to using their gear, he features prominently in their advertisements and commercials.
Aside from his many awards and organizations, Messi has maintained a low profile when it comes to his personal life, only recently admitting that he will be a father with his longtime girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo.
The closest Messi has come to off-the-field controversy was when rumors circulated about him attending a wild party in Argentina with Diego Milito, Gaby Milito and Martin Palermo. But even then, witnesses admitted he spent the night playing PlayStation.
Click here for photos of Lionel Messi's off-field activities>>
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