FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi was presented with a prestigious award in a special ceremony on Thursday, becoming only the second Blaugrana player ever to receive the honour.
Click through the gallery above to see some pictures of Messi at the awards ceremony on Thursday.
The 31-year-old was honoured by the Catalan government this week, being given the Creu de Sant Jordi (St. George's Cross) in an annual ceremony.
The honour is believed to be one of the highest civil distinctions awarded in Catalonia, as pointed out by Barca's official Twitter account.
?? Leo Messi receives the Creu de Sant Jordi 2019, one of the highest civil distinctions awarded in Catalonia. pic.twitter.com/yLsDDNWIjB
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 16, 2019
According to Barca Blaugranes, 28 individuals and 15 organisations are handed the award every year for outstanding services to the region.
Messi received the award directly from Catalonia president Quim Torra, and was described as the "greatest footballer of all time" who "embodies such basic social attributes as humility, honesty, education, creativity, teamwork, and respect".
The Argentine was reportedly praised for the successes of his own organisation, the Leo Messi Foundation, which is believed to have helped fund the SJD Pediatric Cancer Centre in the city of Barcelona.
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In picking up the award, Messi became only the second footballer ever to be honoured with the accolade, after the legendary Johan Cruyff.
Do you think Messi is deserving of this honour? Let us know in the comments section below.
