Lionel Messi's foundation recently donated nearly half a million dollars to UNICEF.

CBS Sports reported from Argentine TV show TN that the football superstar was not in attendance at the "A Sun for the Kids" event at Argentina's Luna Park, but he recorded a video from Barcelona, Spain to present the cheque worth $487,316.34.

"It's a pleasure to be with you all through this video, collaborating with the people of UNICEF," Messi said in the recording, as quoted by CBS Sports.

Messi, 28, is currently prepping for Supercopa de España's season-opening against Athletic Club, the news outlet wrote. He faced criticisms from his homeland of Argentina for failing to win the major finals they have participated in throughout last year, but the FC Barcelona forward's monster donation to UNICEF could turn the negativity surrounding him into the opposite.

Newcomer Reece Oxford Not Fazed by Lionel Messi?

On Sunday, Reece Oxford made his debut at the Premier League for West Ham. The 16-year-old's performance was outstanding, with 95% pass accuracy, 3 won tackles, and 3 interceptions made throughout the game, Squawka Football's Twitter page listed.

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic heaped praises on Oxford, saying that the young player wouldn't even flinch if up against Messi, Joe.co.uk reported.

"People were asking 'are you sure he is 16?' It was going to be a risk but he has got something," Bilic said, as quoted by Joe.co.uk. "I thought if we need someone to sit in front of the defense who is cool and can be a third defender, but who can also play on the ball, I am very proud of him. Only on paper he is 16, he is a part of this new generation. Put it this was, if Messi was in front of me I would be more fazed than Reece."

Lionel Messi Dessert

Pastry chef Jordi Roca whipped a special dessert dedicated to Messi.

The treat called "Gol de Messi" contains ingredients such as mint, lemon, orange, caramel, eucalyptus, and a scent of grass. The dessert is mixed with a pair of meringues, "so as not to forget Barcelona's eternal rival, Real Madrid, who Messi 'beats' on the way to scoring," Sport reported.

The dessert met favorable reviews, but it didn't stay long on the menu of Celler de Can Roca in Spain, a restaurant owned by Jordi and his two brothers, Joan and Josep, Sport noted. According to the Roca siblings, not all of the restaurant's customers are fans of Barcelona, but they still make the dessert if anyone orders it.