Lionel Messi’s signed jersey raises millions in Chile for charity as TV host shares details of heart-warming incident

Lionel Messi's official signed Inter Miami jersey raised millions for charity at the Lucaton event in Chile for the benefit of a rehabilitation institute in San Pedro de la Paz. The jersey also fulfilled the dreams of a young Messi fan.

Mario Kreutzberger, a popular television host from Chile, shared details of the heartwarming incident in a conversation with Radio Bio Bio de Concepcion (compiled by BioBioChile, translated by DeepL from Spanish).

On Thursday, April 18, Kreutzberger visited the rehabilitation center as part of the Teleton 2024 campaign and presented La Pulga's official Inter Miami jersey that raised millions for charity.

Popularly known as Don Francisco, the TV host mentioned that the jersey raised $50,000 (48 million pesos) for the noble cause. The money was used to buy more than 300 wheelchairs.

“This jersey raised 48 million pesos ($50,000), which transformed into more than 300 wheelchairs,” Don Francisco said.

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Lionel Messi's signed Inter Miami jersey fulfilled the dreams of a young fan

Don Francisco revealed that the winner of Lionel Messi's jersey, Katherine Betanzo, paid $50,000 for it. Additionally, she also bought raffles worth $60 (50 thousand pesos). Betanzo bought the jersey for her son, a Messi fan who's "very happy" to receive it.

"She took the T-shirt for her son. Her son is very happy, as he is a Messi fan,” Mario Kreutzberger said.

Betanzo revealed that her son and she have plans to frame the jersey. She said she's happy for her son and for instilling some "kindness and solidarity."

“I am happy, very happy. It is very nice to give happiness also to my son and to instill a little bit of kindness and solidarity,” said Betanzo.

Notably, Teleton 2024 is an annual charity event hosted by Don Francisco every year in Chile. This year, the event is set to take place on November 8 and 9.

Apart from Lionel Messi, the manager of the Uruguay national team, Marcelo Bielsa, also contributed to the Lucaton event by sending a signed jersey. Official jerseys of the Chile national team signed by the players were also part of the event, alongside signed jerseys of various Chilean football clubs.

The event also sold replicas of the Copa America trophy (2022 Estrella award) and Copa Sudamericana award. Photos from the 2015 Copa America were also up for grabs. However, Lionel Messi's signed Miami jersey stole the show in the event by raising a massive amount.