Each Messi, Neymar goal to feed 10,000 children

From Thursday onwards, each goal scored by Argentine genius Lionel Messi and Brazilian sensation Neymar in competitive matches including the upcoming FIFA World Cup, will feed 10,000 school children in Latin America and the Carribean.

MasterCard is the company who are initiating the programme and they announced on Thursday that they will donate 10,000 school meals to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) each time the Argentine or the Brazilian scores a goal.

"I am very proud to be a part of this campaign, it will help change the lives of thousands of children and I hope that it will produce just as many smiles," Messi was quoted as saying by Marca.

Neymar declared himself "happy" to be able to help.

"We want to ensure that the children of the region can have a plate of food and more hope," he said. "We Latin Americans know we can do great things when we unite and this is an example of that. Together, we can fight hunger."

MasterCard’s regional spokesperson Ana Ferrel said: "More than 40 million people throughout Latin America suffer from hunger, many of which are children. Combating hunger and child malnutrition is a way to support education and is key to reversing the cycle of poverty."

This Initiative, referred to as #JuntosSomos10, or 'Together we are 10,' is part of an initiative started by Mastercard last April. 

Those interested can also donate money directly to through the website of this campaign or use the hashtag #JuntosSomos10 on Twitter and Instagram.

Each time the hashtag is used, MasterCard will donate one school meal. If a donation is made directly with a MasterCard card, the company will donate 10 meals. In addition, MasterCard have already donated 300,000 meals to the cause, with numbers expected to grow rapidly in the future.

Now Brazil and Argentina fans will not only cheer their favourite players as they score in World Cup but also gain satisfaction in the knowledge that their favourite's goals help will save children from the claws of hunger.

"Mastercard is taking another significant step in its commitment to help combat childhood hunger and malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). For the first time in history, goals made by football icons Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr., will transcend the playing field. Starting today and running until March 2020, each time Messi and/or Neymar Jr. score a goal across any official tournament, the company will donate the equivalent value of 10,000 meals to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP),” read part of Master Card's press release .