Lionel Messi is the latest face of Sorare, an NFT-based fantasy football game. This is according to a company statement seen yesterday. The football superstar joins the platform as a brand ambassador and investor.
According to Nicolas Julia, co-founder and CEO of Sorare, the partnership will help the NFT platform “set new standards in how it connects with clubs and players.” The plan now is to collaborate on creating new content and fan experiences.
“We believe Messi will help us set new standards in how we do this, and we look forward to sharing what new content and fan experiences we’ve been collaborating on soon.”
Messi was equally upbeat following the partnership, stating:
“Fans have always looked for ways to express their passion and get closer to the players and teams that they love, and Sorare’s combination of a fantasy game with digital collectibles gives fans new ways to do that, wherever they are in the world.”
Lionel Messi Joins An Impressive List Of Athletes Part Of Sorare
Sorare did not disclose the size of Messi’s stake on the platform. However, the partnership marks a significant milestone for Sorare. Launched in 2019, Sorare is a fantasy football game that utilizes non-fungible tokens. On the platform, you can collect and trade digital player cards, which are NFTs. Also, you can participate in simulated football tournaments consisting of five players per side.
Messi’s deal comes a few months after Sorare struck a similar deal with PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe. Sorare agreed to support Mbappe’s charity, dubbed Inspired By KM (IBKM). The charity aims to enlighten youths from disadvantaged backgrounds on the merits of Web3 technology.
Messi is the latest high-profile athlete to partner with Sorare as they work towards expanding their user base. The platform has already seen investments from the likes of Gerald Pique, Rio Ferdinand, and Serena Williams.
