14 DAY TRIAL // Video game developer EA Sports has announced that it is working with the Leo Messi Foundation in order to take over a well-known street football pitch in the city of Barcelona and then upgrade and refurbish it during 2012 before returning to the community.
The pitch is in the Bon Pastor neighborhood of the city and will get a new modern surface, side boards, goals and the seats needed to turn it into a solid venue for the youth of Barcelona to enjoy the game of street football.
Messi, who is widely considered to be the best player of his generation, has stated when the announcement was made, “Football has brought me so much joy, and this new street football pitch will hopefully bring that same joy to children across Barcelona.
“EA SPORTS shares my passion for helping the dreams of children come true, and I thank them for bringing this new project to life.”
Jon Rosenblatt, who is the senior director of Marketing at EA Sports, added, “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.
“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.”
Clearly, the project is also set to promote the launch of FIFA Street, the game which reboots the series from EA Sports.
The game is offered on the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 and is set to offer a football street simulation which focuses on tricks and skill while also delivering the core engine of FIFA 12.
It seems that the Leo Messi Foundation and EA Sports are set to also work together on other projects during 2012, with some of them probably linked to the launch of the upcoming FIFA 13.