Messi’s aircraft produced 1,502 tons of carbon dioxide in 3 months
Lionel Messi’s private jet reportedly released as many carbon emissions in just three months as the average French citizen would use in 150 years.
According to L’Equipe (via Zach Lowy on Twitter), an aircraft belonging to the Paris Saint-Germain forward made as many as 52 flights between June 1 and August 31 of this year. 30 of those flights were said to be intercontinental, with 14 crossing the Atlantic.
This equated to a staggering 1,502 tons of carbon dioxide for the three months.
The plane is said to have made numerous trips to Miami from both Buenos Aires and Montevideo. There were also trips to Brazil and seven flights in or out of Barcelona, where Messi played until his high-profile move to PSG last summer.
Lionel Messi's private jet made 52 flights from June 1 to August 31, with 30 of them being intercontinental and 14 of them being trans-Atlantic.@lequipe estimates that Messi's plane released as many carbon emissions in 3 months as the avg. French citizen would over a 150 years. pic.twitter.com/9PeKxUdf0A
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) September 30, 2022
The impact of air travel on the climate has repeatedly been highlighted by scientists urging the human race to do more to address the climate crisis.
Football’s approach to the issue has also been questioned. Only last year, Manchester United were widely criticised for the decision to fly 100 miles for a Premier League game away to Leicester. The club later defended the decision, saying it was a result of circumstances beyond their control.
Earlier this season, Christophe Galtier, Messi’s boss at PSG, was criticised for making a ‘sarcastic’ response to a question about climate change during a press conference.
Galtier was joined by Kylian Mbappé for media duties ahead of PSG’s Champions League group stage opener against Juventus last month.
During the press conference, Galtier was asked about the issues surrounding climate change and if the club had considered using train travel as an alternative to flying in an effort to be more sustainable.
Perplexed by the question, Galtier turned to Mbappé, who then proceeded to burst out laughing.
The 56-year-old did eventually answer the question – albeit sarcastically – saying: “I thought I would get that question,” he told Get French Football News.
“To be very honest with you, this morning we spoke with the company that organises our trips, and we’re trying to see if we can travel by sand yacht.”
Related links:
- COP26: Is football finally waking up to the climate emergency?
- Christophe Galtier criticised for ‘sarcastic’ response to climate change question
- Activist who disrupted Spurs game claims he is a big football fan
