The UN cultural agency on Friday named Brazilian footballer Vinicius Junior its “goodwill ambassador for education for all”.
The 23-year old Real Madrid forward said becoming a UNESCO representative was “more than an honor”.
“It’s an achievement and a duty which I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life,” he said at a ceremony at the club’s training ground in Madrid.
“Of course, I want to be recognized as a great player, but also as a citizen who tried to make a difference.”
UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay said Vinicius had been chosen for being not only “an exceptional football player” but also “a committed advocate for equal opportunity through education in Brazil”.
Vinicius, who has repeatedly been targeted with racial slurs in Spain, has become a leader in the fight against racism in football.
