D&G: Lionel Andres Messi by Domenico Dolce

Lionel Messi poses for a series of never-before-published photographs taken by Domenico Dolce especially for this unique book. Rising from Rosario, an Argentine town in Santa Fe Province, "Leo" has become the foremost soccer player in the world. He is the forward for FC Barcelona and the Argentine national team, as well as the winner of the Ballon d’Or for four years in a row since 2009. The portraits selected for this project disclose an unconventional Messi, very different from the one seen at matches. As a matter of fact, the book showcases the star player’s private, more intimate life captured by Domenico Dolce’s creativity and unfailing eye. The photographs will be printed on special gold and silver paper. The images lay bare the emotions, moods, and passions of this young athlete, who has succeeded in bravely overcoming adversity in order to fulfill his dream: to become the number one among the world’s top soccer players.
Dolce&Gabbana published a photo book entitled ‘Lionel Andrés Messi’, with portrait photographs by Domenico Dolce of the world’s greatest player Leo Messi, as well as a line of calendars and t-shirts. Proceeds from the project went to support children with congenital melanocytic nevus and infant melanoma and to support the very good work done by the foundation in helping disadvantaged children in South America.

Football’s greatest living icon attended a public meeting event in the Dolce&Gabbana boutique on Corso Venezia in Milan, where members of the public had the chance to meet the Argentine and have their t-shirt signed. The event proved a huge success with the store heaving with fans and the Messi faithful. Not only was the creative side of the project a success but also the latest results suggest that the project has had a huge impact on the lives of children in some of the world’s poorest areas.



Leo Messi himself was also sure to thank all those involved and extended particular gratitude to Dolce&Gabbana  saying: “I have fulfilled my dream of becoming a soccer player and I want people to know that I fought very hard to get to where I am now and that I must continue to fight even more to maintain my position. As a thank you gesture for everything I have achieved in my professional career, I want to help children who are in need, as it makes me very emotional every time I can make a child smile, when I think there is hope, when I see that they are happy.



 This is why we decided to start the Leo Messi Foundation. And the project related to melanoma is one of the social challenges that we decided to attack. I would like to thank Dolce&Gabbana for their collaboration. We will continue to fight to make children happy with the same determination that I have to be a soccer player”.
The book and the merchandise are still available in Dolce&Gabbana boutiques, and of course any future proceeds will continue to help children to fulfil their potential.