REUTERS: Barcelona player Lionel Messi received the St. George’s Cross on Thursday (May 16) from the president of the Catalonia region Quim Torra. The award was given thanks to his “fabulous sports career, which has made him the best football player of all times”, a presenter said.

The Catalan government also cited the Lionel Messi Foundation and his collaboration with several hospitals in Catalonia and the creation of the Pediatric Cancer Center in Barcelona.

The St. George’s Cross award was created in 1981 and has been given by the Catalan government annually with the objective of rewarding people or institutions who have rendered outstanding services to Catalonia, defended its identity or done relevant civic or cultural activities.

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