The President of Argentina, Mauricio Macri, was a special guest at the Home of FIFA this Sunday, when he became the first-ever recipient of the Living Football Award: an accolade bestowed by the FIFA President to honour those who contribute to the growth and development of the beautiful game.

Mr Macri was the president of Boca Juniors for 12 years (1995-2007), a period during which the club amassed 17 trophies, including 11 international titles. As the mayor of Buenos Aires, he was at the helm of the city’s successful bid to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2018.

"The Living Football Award was devised from our need to praise and recognise those who outstandingly contribute to the growth and development of football, as well as of the values it represents all around the world. President Macri is a widely respected figure in the football world, not only thanks to the many titles he won, but also because he has always been truly living football: from his childhood until now, as the President of a country where our sport is all about heart, passion and emotion,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“There is hardly any other walk of life in which someone can learn and grow as much as in football. In a world that is in increasing need of dialogue to solve problems, football is a uniquely powerful bridge,” concluded president Mauricio Macri during his acceptance speech.