Lionel Messi has already conquered the sports world and the hearts of most fútbol fans across the globe. Now, he’s getting ready for a new, animated step. The Argentinian superstar, who led his team to a World Cup just last December, and was recently crowned the Best Player in the World by FIFA, is teaming up with Sony Music Entertainment to develop a new animated series featuring his younger self.
The series, aimed at children and young adolescents, will follow Messi as a child, as he confronts obstacles while traveling through a videogame. It is set to be produced in both Spanish and English. No network or streamer is currently attached, but considering Messi’s popularity, chances are that will change soon.
“Since I was a kid, I’ve always loved animated series and my kids are big fans of animated characters,” said Messi, who has three kids. “Being able to participate in an animation project makes me happy, because it fulfills one of my dreams. I would like to thank Sony Music for joining this project and we hope that everyone will like the result.”
The animated series feels like the next step for a player that, after having won the World Cup, has very few sports achievements left to conquer – but who is still far from the global superstar other sports players are, at least numbers-wise. And with a documentary series on Argentina’s World Cup win also coming up on Netflix, it’s likely whoever has managed to remain unaware of who Messi is until now will soon learn his name.
But this doesn’t necessarily mark the end of his fútbol career, either. There are still two friendlies to be played in Argentina at the end of March, a chance for the World Cup-winning team to celebrate with their fans. And, there’s a Copa America coming next year Lionel Messi hasn’t ruled out yet. Fingers crossed the only glimpse of him fans will get in the near future won’t be outside of the pitch.