Lionel Messi Criticised for Donating Football Boots to Egyptian Charity

Barcelona star Lionel Messi is facing criticism for donating a pair of football boots to an Egyptian charity after a recent interview with MBC's Mona El-Sharkawy.

As reported by Sport, shoes are regarded as "unclean objects" in Arab countries, and some Egyptians took offence to the gesture. A spokesman for the Egyptian Football Association commented: "We don't need his work shoes and we don't need charity. Give your shoes to your country, Argentina is full of poverty."

Per Sport, TV presenter Said Hasasin also criticised the Barcelona star: "The Egyptians have never been so humiliated during our 7,000 years of civilisation. I will hit you with my shoe, Messi. This is my shoe, I donate it to Argentina."

Former Egypt international Mido came out in defence of Messi, pointing out a player's boots are his "most prized possession," and according to the interviewer, the incident is based on a misunderstanding.

Per Marca, El-Sharkawy said guests on the Yes, I'm Famous show are asked to give something that can be put up for auction, and Messi never meant to donate his boots to the nation as charity.

Messi's boots could surely draw a significant fee at auction, given that he is widely regarded as the best player on the planet.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner continues to dazzle at Barca and has shown no signs of slowing down this season, as he has netted 22 goals and provided 10 assists in La Liga, per WhoScored.com.

Messi's side are still in the running for a staggering second consecutive treble, as they are nine points clear at the top of the La Liga table and are heavy favourites to win the 2016 Copa del Rey final against Sevilla.

The third leg of the treble, the Champions League, will most likely be the most challenging title to successfully defend, given the quality sides they will come up against in the latter stages.

Barcelona have drawn fellow Spanish side Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of the European competition, a tricky challenge, as analysed below by Bleacher Report's Dean Jones:

Messi is currently on international duty with Argentina, who face Bolivia in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday, and he will be back in a Barcelona shirt for their clash with Real Madrid on Saturday.