Messi is the first men's soccer player to receive the honor.
A brand new team under the former president's patronage wins the championship with a 100% record.
European soccer body UEFA went to the United Nations on Tuesday pledging to do more to promote human rights and protect women from abuse in the sport. At Champions League games next week, messages will be broadcast on television and social media for the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis said at a sports conference in the UN’s European headquarters. Theodoridis committed UEFA to “strengthen our fight against discriminations in all their forms” and “admitting your mistakes when you make them.”
Without Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr was held to a 1-1 draw at Istiklol of Tajikistan on Tuesday but still topped its group in the Asian Champions League as all four Saudi Arabian teams advanced to the round of 16. Big-spending Al-Nassr, which has never won the continental competition, had already secured a place in the knockout stage. Ronaldo was rested as coach Luis Castro fielded a starting lineup comprised of domestic players.