Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has been named as an ambassador for UNICEF.
The Spain international has joined the children's charity in the same week that the World Cup gets underway in Brazil on Thursday.
Ramos, who clinched a Champions League winners' medal with Real last summer, was chosen by UNICEF during an event with youngsters in the city of Curitiba in Brazil.
Ramos said: "As an ambassador for UNICEF Spain, it is an honor for me to help the initiatives of the organization on a larger scale to ensure that we strengthen the rights of children. I am thrilled to join 'Team UNICEF' during the World Cup and to support UNICEF's work for the promotion of sport and for the protection of children.
"I just had a son and I cannot imagine the pain of not being able to protect him from any circumstances that would prevent him from fully enjoying his rights."
Ramos and his Spanish teammates will open their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on Friday.
Danielle Joynson
