We are all used to Messi breaking records and achieving milestones that it seems to be a norm these days. He’s that good. Messi achieved another milestone on Saturday when he hit the 200 million followers mark on Instagram.
As humble as ever, Messi refused to celebrate the landmark. He instead took the time out to pass a message about online abuse.
“I see I’ve just reached the 200 million people following me on this network. However, what’s happening today, I’m not going to take it as a reason to celebrate.
“Of course I appreciate all the love and support I always receive from you, but I think it’s time to give importance to all the people who are behind each profile. We realize that behind each account there is a person of flesh and bone, who laughs, cries, enjoys and suffers, human beings with feelings,” the Barcelona captain wrote on Instagram.
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“Let’s raise our voice to stop abuse on social media. It doesn’t matter if we’re anonymous, celebrities, athletes, referees or fans of a game, even someone alienated all of this, doesn’t matter race, religion, ideology or gender… No one deserves to be mistreated or insulted.
“We lived to see and experience abuse getting worse and worse on each of the networks, without anyone doing anything to prevent it. We must strongly condemn these hostile attitudes and demand companies that manage the networks to take urgent action against these behaviors,” he added.
“I wish you, the 200 million people who accompany me, could become the 200 million reasons that exist to make networks a safe and respectful place. Where we can share what we want without fear of being insulted. And that insults, racism, abuse and discrimination remain outside of them forever.
“For those of you who are part of these networks and who are always with me, I hope you will join me and support me in this crusade. Big hug to all and congratulations to all the football people in the UK for their idea of rigging the campaign against abuse and discrimination on networks. #BastaYa #StopOnlineAbuse #EnoughlsEnough.”
Messi has the second most followers on Instagram, only Cristiano Ronaldo has more amongst football players. His message couldn’t have come at a better time as it shows his support of the stance of a social media boycott adopted by the whole of English football.
English football started a 3-day social media boycott from Friday 30th of April to Monday 3rd of May. It was adopted in the hopes that social media platforms will act more strictly against those who perpetrate online abuse.
Messi scored a brace in his side’s 3-2 win over Valencia on Sunday. It took his goal tally to 28 goals in the league. The win gave the Catalans a boost in their quest of winning the La Liga title.
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