EA SPORTS & Leo Messi Foundation bring joy of football to streets of Barcelona

By Lukas Jaro on March 14, 2012@@__SubZero__

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – March 13, 2012 – EA SPORTS™ announced that, in partnership with the Leo Messi Foundation, a popular street football pitch in Barcelona will be brought back to life through a complete upgrade and refurbishment in 2012. The pitch, located in the Bon Pastor neighbourhood of Barcelona and in disrepair for several years, will be outfitted with a new state-of-the-art surface, side boards, goals and much more, creating a high-quality and safe environment for the youth of Barcelona to enjoy.

“Football has brought me so much joy, and this new street football pitch will hopefully bring that same joy to children across Barcelona,” said Messi. “EA SPORTS shares my passion for helping the dreams of children come true, and I thank them for bringing this new project to life.”

“Our partnership with the Leo Messi Foundation is fundamental to our relationship with the world’s undisputed greatest footballer, and this pitch refurbishment is a great first project in that partnership,” said Jon Rosenblatt, Senior Director of Marketing, EA SPORTS. “We can’t wait to see the kids of Barcelona enjoying the new pitch and expressing their love of football in a safe and quality environment.”

The pitch refurbishment project funded by EA SPORTS and the Leo Messi Foundation also celebrates the launch of FIFA Street, which includes Messi on the cover of the game and brings authentic street football to fans around the world on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system. The game ships to retailers worldwide this week.

In November of last year, EA SPORTS announced a multi-faceted partnership that will see Messi become an EA SPORTS Football Ambassador. EA SPORTS is teaming up with the Leo Messi Foundation to support social, educational and health care related initiatives for children around the world. Messi will also be the cornerstone of marketing and advertising campaigns, featured on packaging, and utilized in social media activities around the world for the critically acclaimed FIFA franchise.