Lionel Messi chases fresh goals in a new Expo 2020 Dubai

Lionel Messi’s dazzling skills help to spread a message of unity and collaboration via the medium of football in a new short film that kicks off his debut campaign as an Expo 2020 Dubai global ambassador. 

Messi juggles a football at the Expo 2020 site before passing on the mantle to his teammates across a variety of international landscapes. Together, he and his fellow players use the universal language of football to keep the ball airborne in athletic style, showing how the world is better when we act together. 

The world-famous footballer was appointed Expo 2020 global ambassador in 2016, supporting Expo’s goals to leave a lasting impact on the path of human progress, build a better future and commit to positive change. 

As well as specialising in goals on the pitch, he also chases them off the pitch through his roles as a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocate and UNICEF (UN Children’s Fund) Goodwill Ambassador. 

The balls represent Expo 2020’s aim to facilitate collaboration and the strengthening of ties within communities, while spreading happiness. 

It is all part of the exciting build-up to the big match: the first whistle is blown to start 173 days of fun when Expo 2020 Dubai kicks off in October 2020, the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.