“Very happy to have been able to contribute” – Lionel Messi shares delight as he opens cancer center for children in Barcelona 

Lionel Messi has shared his delight at the opening of a new cancer treatment center for children in Barcelona. The Argentine icon has made a significant contribution towards building the unique facility.

According to Cuatro, he visited the Catalonian center with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo upon the grand opening.

The Barcelona legend took to Instagram to thank those responsible for opening the children's facility. The 34-year-old posted a picture in the center, with the caption:

"I really wanted to visit it. The truth is that it was very exciting to see how everything turned out this afternoon now that the works are finished."

He added:

"I wanted to congratulate everyone who worked on this project. I am very happy to having been able to contribute my grain of sand and I would also like to thank all the people who joined to help in the fight against childhood cancer”

The clinic is part of the the Sant Joan de Deú Hospital and will be one of the most significant in Europe. It is a one-of-a-kind center in Spain and the largest in not only Europe, but the world. The center will go a long way in curing the deadly disease in children.

Contributing to building this important facility was certainly a wonderful gesture by the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.

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Fans mob Lionel Messi upon return to Barcelona

Ahead of his visit to the hospital, Messi was greeted at Barcelona airport by a sea of supporters, who were desperate to get a glimpse of their hero.

The Argentine will go down as arguably the Blaugrana's greatest ever player, having scored 672 goals in his 778 appearances for the club.

He left the Camp Nou in tears last summer when Barca's precarious financial position forced him to leave the club. He eventually joined Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.

However, according to Sport Bible, Messi was welcomed back to Catalonia with open arms while on a summer break with his wife and three children.

The diminutive playmaker stopped to sign autographs and take selfies with supporters, while his family were safely led away by security.

Messi endured a difficult debut campaign at the Parc des Princes, having scored just 11 times in 34 appearances across all competitions. He was also jeered by his own supporters following his side's exit in the Champions League Round of 16 against Real Madrid. Messi was booed in the league game against Bordeaux despite winning the game 3-0 and will be looking to turn things around in the new season.