UN signs up Messi to help beat poverty

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring the opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Coruna at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015. (AP Photo/ Emilio Morenatti)

He was recently again named the best footballer on the planet and now Barcelona star Lionel Messi has set his sights on an even bigger prize — the end of poverty.

The Argentine and Colombian singer Shakira head a list of 17 well-known names recruited by the United Nations to promote its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The world body’s objectives include the eradication of poverty by 2030, the fight against climate change and universal access to education and health.

“The advocates will build on their unique standing and leadership to promote the SDGs as part of an ambitious and transformative global development agenda,” said a UN statement.

Messi and Shakira are already goodwill ambassadors for UNICEF, the UN Children’s Fund.