FC Barcelona player Ronaldinho had the honour to receive a welcome usually reserved for the leaders of states in the United Nations headquarters in downtown Manhattan yesaterday. Barca superstar Ronaldinho signed an agreement to become the spokesman for the Development for Sport and Peace at the United Nations in New York on Friday to take on a leading role in international diplomacy. The press room was completely full, so journalist had to take place in the aisles to follow the press conference.


The Brazilian forward was met by Secretary General Kofi Annan and was signed up to become an ambassador for the organisation. Ronaldinho, an idol for many young football fans is proud to have commited himself for two years to mobilise young people to help fighting against poverty.
Ronaldinho will put himself completely at the disposal of the UN for a symbolic $ 1 per year.

Additionally, Ronnie will help to reach the targets set by the Millennium Goals campaign. The United Nations (UN) and FC Barcelona had already signed a collaboration agreement in May.


Ronaldinho proves that he is not only committed to football, but also to help for good causes and social matters. The Brazilian international was visibly touched and explained seriously his motivation to take on the challenge:

I am very, very happy and proud to take on this social challenge. Sport is a universal language without barriers. Football has given me a wonderful life and I believe that it is now my mission to give something back and help young people understand that power of sport can help make dreams become reality.

Barcelona caretaker president Sala i Martin expressed his feelings on the appointment of Ronaldinho as an ambassador for the UN. He believes that the appointment of Ronaldinho also proves that Barca is "More than a club". Barça´s former president Joan Laporta had already committed to give 0.7 per cent of FC Barcelona´s gross annual income to the UN charity. Sala i Martin said he was very proud that Ronaldinho is a Barca player and that the player will transmit the values of FC Barcelona around the world. He also believes that now many more people will understand that Barca "is more than a Club".

Sources within UNICEF have confirmed on Cadena SER "La Graderia" yesterday that the presentation of the agreement between Barça and the humanitarian organization UNICEF will be presented on the 11th of August in New York.


The agreement between Barça and UNICEF is the first ever shirt deal of FC Barcelona in their more than 100 year history and Barca decided to go along to give their name to a good cause rather than to accept a record offer from BetandWin. UNICEF also confirmed that a deal has not been signed yet but the officials could put pen to paper in the next weeks. Barça will be on their US Tour at the beginning of August and the official presentation of the agreement in the presence of UN General secretary Kofi Annan and UNICEF president Anne Marie Belman is scheduled for planned for August, 11 at 11.00 am in the UN headquarters in New York.

Catalan Television station TV3 has reported that FC Barcelona has agreed to wear the UNICEF logo on their famous Barca shirts next season.
FC Barcelona have never had a shirt sponsor in their over 100 years history, but have agreed to break with the tradition to support the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). A presentation will be made at the United Nations Headquarters in New York when the official contract will be signed.


Barca had several record-breaking sponsorship deals before, but Barcelona president Joan Laporta has always remained sensitive about a commercial sponsorship with a company's name on the jersey because it could have caused opposition among the club's faithful supporters.


Barca, the biggest football club in the world, are "more than a club" and are happy to be seen as a humanitarian club that wants to give his share to fight racism and poverty around the world. Barca already agreed a charity deal with UNICEF last month. The agreement between UNICEF and FC Barcelona will see Barca donate 0.7 % of their annual income (estimated to be over € 2 mill. next year) to the UN-Charity fund from the start of the 2006-07 season. FC Barcelona became the first football club ever to formally support the UN Millennium Development Goals campaign and hopes that other rich football Clubs will follow. The UN Millennium Development Goals campaign aims to halving extreme poverty, limiting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education by 2015 anog other targets.