EA Sports announced that top soccer player Lionel Messi will be on the cover of the FIFA Street video game in March 2012.

The Barcelona and Argentina superstar signed a multiyear endorsement contract to also become an EA Sports ambassador and the global spokesman for the game maker's FIFA franchise.

That will involve him becoming part of marketing and advertising campaigns, and global social media activities. EA Sports will support the Leo Messi Foundation's campaign of improving global children's health care.

"I want to be part of the team behind the best sports game in the world and be associated with the great EA Sports name," said Messi in a statement as part of the announcement. "EA Sports is a brand that shares my values of creativity, excellence and social responsibility."

Messi, 24, won the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2010 award as the top soccer player in the world, and has also been the UEFA Champions League top goal scorer the past three years. A three-time La Liga Player of the Year, he is also on the shortlist for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or.