Lionel Messi’s $900 Million Left Foot Set to Rescue Paraná River, After the Argentine’s Name Saved a Grandmother From Kidnapping

Is there anything Lionel Messi can’t do? Throughout his illustrious career, the Argentinian superstar has left no stone unturned in breaking new ground. Of course, the weight that his name carries extends beyond the soccer pitch, as it can even bring about positive change. While earlier his reputation saved a grandmother from getting kidnapped, this time he is preserving the Paraná River through his $900 million left foot.

In January, Lionel Messi collaborated with the Join The Planet initiative, a sustainability program aimed at environmental conservation. Their mission began with a commitment to cleaning and recycling along the shores of the Paraná River, the second-largest river in South America, which flows through Rosario, Messi’s hometown. They will be cleaning the river with the help of Messi’s left foot, which has been insured for $900 million, the biggest insurance of a body part in sports history. As complied by Eco News, the project intends to sell replicas of Messi’s left foot made from recycled plastic as part of their fundraising efforts.

Purchasing these replicas will contribute to the cleaning efforts of the Paraná River. Notably, these waters are currently facing a state of emergency, with scientists discovering over 200 bottles, glasses, and other plastics for every 100 square meters in the middle section. Recognizing this urgent need for action, Messi, in collaboration with Join The Planet and the Rosario Foundation, took no time to protect the river from ongoing plastic pollution. Fans interested in buying a replica of Messi’s foot can visit the international organization’s website to support this cause.

Earlier, Coldplay co-founder Chris Martin had also expressed his support for the Inter Miami star’s new initiative. Meanwhile, let’s discuss how his name saved the life of a 90-year-old grandmother. 

Lionel Messi saved the day of a Jewish Argentinian grandma!

Ester Cunio awoke on October 7 to an ordeal when armed invaders reproached her home in the Israeli Kibbutz Nir Oz. Ester, along with eight family members, faced the horrific prospect of being abducted to Gaza. In a tense standoff with gunmen demanding information about her family, the 90-year-old revealed her inability to comprehend Arabic, speaking instead in her native Argentine Spanish due to her limited proficiency in Hebrew. 

READ MORE: Luis Suarez Spends 3X Extra to Become Lionel Messi’s Neighbor in Miami

Interestingly, when the intruder questioned about Argentina, Ester immediately cited soccer, emphasizing her native country as the birthplace of Lionel Messi. This unexpected connection seemed to diffuse the hostility of the gunman. Narrating the encounter with Fuente Latina and as reported by Marca, Ester said, “He put his arm on my shoulder, gave me his gun, he made me do the peace sign and they snapped the picture.” Indeed, it’s quite remarkable to see how Messi acted as a beacon of hope in the face of terror. Now, he acts as the ‘Messiah‘ of nature.