Argentine superstar Lionel Messi fulfilled the dream of Cristian Guglielmett, a visually impaired man who, by means of a letter, asked the footballer to donate a portable device with artificial intelligence that reads any printed or digital text with the press of a button.
Messi is a long-time ambassador of OrCam Technologies, producer of the portable device that has the power to change the lives of blind and visually impaired people.
Advert
As Argentine publication La Capital de Rosario first reported, upon hearing of Guglielmett's request, Messi didn't hesitate to donate the device to his fellow countryman.
They add that the equipment, which is worth around $4000 in total, is set to arrive later this month.
Thanks to the AI technology within, the device can massively improve the day-to-day lives of those who are most affected by sight issues - including Guglielmett.
The man from Rosario has already defied the odds, having gone on to study law - and later graduate from university - despite going blind at the age of 17.
Advert
With the assistance of the OrCam device, he will be able to translate law books with much greater ease.
The equipment itself comprises of an advanced optical sensor coupled to lenses that capture an image of the surroundings and communicate the information audibly.
Even more remarkable is the fact that the device doesn't need an internet connection to be fully functional.
Advert
Moreover, it is capable of instantly reading the text of a book, a screen, or any other flat surface where text is clear and visible.
Crucially, it can also receive direct voice instructions from the user, which allows it to carry out more exact readings.
This isn't the first time that Messi, who now plays for Ligue 1 side Paris-Saint Germain, has donated one of the devices to a fan in need.
Back in 2020, the 35-year-old gifted a number of OrCam 'MyEye' devices to young fans around the world - even meeting some of them in person.
"The emotion was incredible. Meeting with this amazing group of people from around the world was truly a magical and inspiring moment," Messi said at the time [via Joe].
Advert
"Witnessing each of the members of the ‘Dream Team’ trying out the OrCam MyEye features, it was clear that this would be a life-changing device for each of them."
One of those people to receive the device back in 2020 was 10-year-old Arsenal fan Mikey Poulli.
Mikey lost his sight as a child but has not lost his passion for football, and attends coaching for blind footballers in the hope of one day representing England.
Advert
In a video posted to Twitter, Mikey and his parents explained how much the OrCam MyEye has improved Mikey's life, saying it had given him 'a new lease of independence'.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy/contextotucumanTopics: Lionel Messi, Football, World News, Science, Technology, Celebrity