Lionel Messi already holds nearly every title available on the football pitch, from the World Cup to eight Ballon d'Or awards. Now he is adding a title of an entirely different kind.
The University of Buenos Aires (UBA) has decided to grant the Argentine star an honorary doctorate, the highest academic recognition the university bestows. The decision was approved unanimously by the institution's supreme council.
Not just for the football
The university cited the excellence, perseverance, humility and ethical conduct that have characterised Messi throughout his career, alongside his connection to the Argentine national team and the way he represents the country around the world.
The university's rector, Ricardo Gelpi, also addressed the status Messi has achieved far beyond the boundaries of the pitch, presenting him as a figure who has become part of popular culture and Argentine national identity.
