Lionel Messi to endorse FIFA franchise

Barcelona and Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi has signed a multi-year endorsement contract that will see the superstar become the global face of the FIFA franchise, EA Sports have announced today.

The multi-faceted partnership will see Messi, who has achieved 27 goals and 14 assists in 29 games this season across all competitions, become an EA Sports Football Ambassador. He will become the cornerstone of marketing and advertising campaigns, featured on packaging, and also utilised in social media activities around the world for the critically acclaimed FIFA franchise.

He is set to first appear on the cover of FIFA Street, which is due to release in March 2012.

EA Sports is to also team up with the Leo Messi Foundation to support social, educational and health care related initiatives for children around the world.

“Our FIFA franchise is the number one selling sports videogame franchise in the world, and Lionel Messi is the number one player in the world, so this agreement is a true partnership of superstars,” comments Matt Bilbey, Vice President and GM of Football at EA Sports. “With Messi on our team we have the world’s best and most exciting player to help EA SPORTS maintain its global leadership in the years ahead.”

Messi himself adds, “I want to be part of the team behind the best sports football game in the world and be associated with the great EA Sports name. EA Sports is a brand that shares my values of creativity, excellence and social responsibility.”