Lionel Messi Building Brand In China With Beijing Theme Park

Chinese fans will be able to "celebrate the achievements" of Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi at a new theme park to be built in Beijing, according to Richard Martin of REUTERS. The Messi Experience Park, which is being launched by the five-time world player of the year in collaboration with Chinese broadcaster Phoenix Group and Spanish media company Mediapro, is set to open in '19. A statement from Leo Messi Management said that the theme park will have 20 indoor and outdoor attractions in a 42,000-square-meter space which will "immerse visitors in Messi's universe." Messi attended a launch event in Beijing last week. Mediapro Exhibitions Dir David Xiarau said that the theme park will "use the most advanced technology" to combine attractions with spaces to play the world's most popular sport (REUTERS, 6/2).