Barcelona’s Argentina forward Lionel Messi has thrown his support behind the Madrid 2020 bid for the right to host the 2020 Olympic Games.
With four days to go until International Olympic Committee (IOC) members meeting in Buenos Aires choose between the Spanish capital, Istanbul and Tokyo, Messi said it would be positive to award Madrid the Games given the nation’s recent success in a number of high-profile sports.
“I don’t know whether my support will help,” the World Player of the Year, wearing a shirt with the Madrid logo, said in a video published by Spanish bid officials.
“I think it is very important for a city to host the Games,” added the 26-year-old, who has lived in the Catalan capital for more than a decade.
“I was fortunate enough to participate in the Olympics and it is a fantastic experience for any athlete and I think it could be something very important for the city of Madrid.
“I think Madrid has a good chance for what it (the city) represents, Spain’s position in the world of sport, where it has triumphed in many different areas, and that can have an influence too.
“I think it would be good for sport to award Madrid the Games and I support their bid from here.”(Source)
Goal.Com Report(Lionel Messi supports Madrid)
The Barcelona forward has put club allegiances aside to support the Spanish capital's 2020 Olympic bid while on the international break
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has put aside the huge rivalry between his club and Real Madrid by coming out in support of the Spanish capital's 2020 Olympic bid.
The four-time Ballon d'Or winner has spent plenty of time making Madrid residents miserable in the past, but he sportingly took the opportunity to assist the city's cause this time around.
Draped in the white flag of Madrid, Messi popped up to offer his support at a promotional event in Buenos Aires - where the final decision as to which city hosts the 2020 games will be made by the International Olympic Committee on September 7.
While with Argentina's squad during the international break, the 26-year-old told the bid's Facebook page: "I am with Madrid 2020."
There was controversy in Spain when Messi initially declined to put his name to the Madrid campaign with Alejandro Blanco, president of the Madrid's 2020 bid, claiming the player's representatives felt he should not take part.
Madrid face competition from Tokyo and Istanbul to host the 42nd Olympic Games, with the latter being officially endorsed by Turkish Airlines - a commercial partner of both Barcelona and Messi himself.
But Messi has avoided a political and sporting storm by gritting his teeth, smiling politely and siding with the Madridistas for potentially the first and last time.
The four-time Ballon d'Or winner has spent plenty of time making Madrid residents miserable in the past, but he sportingly took the opportunity to assist the city's cause this time around.
Draped in the white flag of Madrid, Messi popped up to offer his support at a promotional event in Buenos Aires - where the final decision as to which city hosts the 2020 games will be made by the International Olympic Committee on September 7.
While with Argentina's squad during the international break, the 26-year-old told the bid's Facebook page: "I am with Madrid 2020."
There was controversy in Spain when Messi initially declined to put his name to the Madrid campaign with Alejandro Blanco, president of the Madrid's 2020 bid, claiming the player's representatives felt he should not take part.
Madrid face competition from Tokyo and Istanbul to host the 42nd Olympic Games, with the latter being officially endorsed by Turkish Airlines - a commercial partner of both Barcelona and Messi himself.
But Messi has avoided a political and sporting storm by gritting his teeth, smiling politely and siding with the Madridistas for potentially the first and last time.
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