Egyptians Blasts Lionel Messi For Donating His Used Boots On TV

Five-time ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi who is widely known for his mesmeric genius, calm and humble persona has drawn the collective wrath of Egypt after donating a pair of used football boots to charity.

While on the TV show ‘Yes, I am Famous’, broadcast on MBC’s Masr Channel, the Barcelona
magician wanted to make a generous offer to his fans, but got it horribly wrong, apparently.


This sparked angry reaction from the Arab nation, with Egyptian politician Said Hassan offering his own shoe to Messi during his talk show.

“We have never been humiliated during our seven thousand years of civilisation. I will hit you with the shoes, Messi,” Hassan said.

“This is my shoe. I donate it to Argentina.”

The enraged politician contacted Egyptian FA spokesman, Azmy Megahed during the show, and the latter further criticised Messi’s donation.

“Our poor people don’t need him,” he said.

“I’m confused, if he intends to humiliate us, then I say he better put those shoes on his head and on the heads of the people supporting him.

“Give your shoes to your country, Argentina is full of poverty.”

However, Messi got the backing from former Egypt international Mido, who said: “The most valuable thing a writer is his pen, and the most valuable thing for a player are his boots.”

Mona El-Sharkawy, the TV presenter on ‘Yes, I’m Famous’ who received the boots has denied Messi made the gesture and all guests on her show are asked for a gift.

“That is false,” she is quoted as saying by Marca. “On our show we always request a souvenir from the people we interview and we put those things up for auction for charity.

The Argentine probably has a way of drawing the ire of Africans, as Gabon were thrown into incredulity last year when he honoured a presidential visit unshaven and dressed in a torn pair of jeans and printed t-shirt.