Argentine footballer Lionel Messi speaks during a press conference in Medellin, Antioquia department, Colombia, yesterday. Messi, 26, is in Colombia to participate in the second Battle of the Stars ‘Messi and his friends’ against the ‘Rest of the world’ team, as part of a an exhibition football match at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium in Medellin today.
RIO DE JANEIRO: Television audiences for the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 semi-finals broke records in key global markets, with both matches registering large viewing figures which underline the growing popularity of FIFA’s tournament of champions.
Brazil’s semi-final game against Uruguay on Wednesday June 26th drew an audience of more than 53.5 million across nine key television markets, a high for the tournament.
Spain’s match against Italy on Thursday June 27th drew the biggest Italian television audience for a sporting event since the final of UEFA Euro 2012.
An average audience of 12.5 million tuned in to RAI Uno, attracting more Italian viewers than the semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. It was the third most popular programme on Italian television this year. AGENCIES
