MLS sensation Lionel Messi has gone viral on social media. However, unlike previous occasions, it has nothing to do with his unrivaled skill on the ball.
The Argentine icon has made it onto the headlines after featuring in an ad for the upcoming Hollywood movie "Bad Boys: Ride or Die". The Inter Miami ace makes a cameo in this promo alongside famous actors Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.
And if that's not enough, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner even speaks English in this ad. While the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner utters only two words, this was enough to spark interest among football fans.
Skip to 1:24 to catch Messi's cameo
Messi's grasp of English has long been a hot topic, especially following his move to the United States to play for David Beckham's co-owned franchise. While he is learning and improving with time, the Argentine refrains from speaking publicly in the world's most common language.
The iconic attacker spent most of his life in Argentina and Barcelona, having moved to Catalonia at 13, and thus speaks Spanish and Catalan.
The Barcelona legend also featured in a Super Bowl ad three months ago and refrained from speaking English there as well, hence the intrigue behind his Bad Boys cameo.
While fans would have loved to hear more from Messi, the USA get to witness Leo do what he does best from a front-row seat: kick a football. The South American sensation has been enjoying the season so far, scoring a whopping 10 goals and assisting another 10 in only nine starts for Inter Miami in the MLS this term.
The Herons currently lead the Eastern Conference table and the Supporters' Shield race. While the presence of one of the greatest players of all time has sent ticket prices skyrocketing, fans can catch him and his Inter Miami side live in action via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.