体坛英语新闻：Messi unable to score in Deco's charity match

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The world's reigning most valuable player, Lionel Messi, participated in a charity match hosted by Deco in the city of Indaiatuba, Sao Paulo.

The teams were divided among the friends of Deco and rest of the world. The match ended 3-3.

Messi has been in Brazil for the last 10 days, enjoying a vacation with his girlfriend before returning to the professional soccer.

In Sunday's charity match, Messi was unable to score and walked away with a yellow card. The athlete was whistled offside on a pass from Deco, but continued to play and shot the ball into the goal, incurring a yellow card from referee Tata.

The rest of the world took an early 2-0 lead with goals from Amoroso and Brazilian futsal superstar Falcao. Deco then took matters into his own hands, scoring his team's first goal. Careca then tied the match just before intermission.

The rest of the world reclaimed the lead in the second half with a goal from Bruno. However, friends of Deco quickly responded with a long-range goal from Diogo Nogueira.

"I was surprised to see so many Argentina jerseys and receive as much hospitality. I definetly learned a lot from all the amazing soccer players in Brazil. I have enjoyed my time here in Brazil. I am going to practice to see if I can become as elastic as Rivellino," said Messi after the match.

The event was held to raise money for the charity organization Deco20 Institute, which is in its second year. Deco hopes to receive his liberation from Chelsea in order to officialize his signing with Fluminense and his return to Brazil.