Lionel Messi received the Balon Educativo de Scholas award on Monday from Jose Maria del Corral, the world director of Pope Francis’ Scholas Occurrentes.
The Barcelona hitman was voted by thousands of children from the Scholas network, which includes more than 500,000 institutions from 190 countries. He received 34.38% of the vote.
Barcelona vice-president Jordi Cardoner was also in attendance when Messi received the award. The Barca Foundation is known to work alongside Scholas in schools.
The trophy was made by boys from the community of Chicomo in Mozambique and was blessed by Pope Francis in the Vatican City.
Currently nursing an injury, Messi is expected to be back in action following the international break when Barcelona face Valencia at the Nou Camp.
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