Argentine footballer Lionel Messi arrived in Cairo on Tuesday to promote a new treatment for Hepatitis C virus, a source at Cairo International Airport told newsmen.
“The visit was deemed as part of “Tour n’ Cure” international tourism initiative launched under the slogan of “For a World Free of Virus C,’’ it said.
The source also noted that Messi arrived at Cairo West International Airport, making him stay near the Pyramids of Giza and close to the nearby Mena House Hotel where he would show up for a ceremony.
The soccer superstar, who plays for Spanish club FC Barcelona, or “Barca,” was scheduled to arrive in Egypt last week but the trip was delayed after his team suffered an overnight massive 0-4 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
Reports say that the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism pins hopes on Messi’s “historic visit” to be one of the steps towards enhancing the tourism sector in Egypt that has been suffering recession over the past few years.
“Such visits by international public figures, undoubtedly, pour in favour of Egypt and serve its tourism sector significantly,’’ the Egyptian ministry said in a previous statement.
