Lionel Messi reveals his three sons asked him to do Marvel goal celebrations with Inter Miami – and he watches the movies with them every night before they start school in the US
Lionel Messi reveals his three sons have asked him to do Marvel goal celebrations with Inter Miami – and he watches the movie with them every night before they go to school in the US.
Inter Miami striker Lionel Messi has shed some light on some of his goal celebrations that have received additional fan attention since his move to Major League Soccer.
Since making his debut for Miami in the Leagues Cup, Messi has scored nine times in six games and is in great form.
The one thing that struck some as much as Messi’s game, however, was the Marvel superhero-inspired goal celebrations he broke out on three separate occasions.
Some questioned whether it was a publicity stunt as Marvel teamed up with MLS earlier this year, but speaking to media on Thursday, Messi revealed a much simpler explanation.
“My three sons are still on vacation, haven’t gone to school yet, so every night we watch Marvel superhero movies,” he said. “They came up with the idea and asked that when I have a game and score a goal, I do a Marvel superhero celebration.”
Lionel Messi revealed that his three sons are the reason he does Marvel celebrations
He performed celebrations of Thor and Black Panther after watching the movies with his kids
After breaking out in Thor and Black Panther celebrations, Messi broke out a Spider Man
‘That’s how it started, and we’ve continued that ritual. Every time we watched a new movie, we practiced a goal celebration.’
“But I only do them for home games, when the kids are around here with me, so we can share those moments. If I see them in the stands, I’ll do them.’
Messi’s three sons Ciro, Mateo and Thiago are five, seven and ten years old respectively.
The first of such celebrations took place during Miami’s 4-0 win against Atlanta United when he celebrated a goal by reaching out and cupping his hand.
Fans had initially speculated that the celebration was the 36-year-old Argentine turning to Miami co-owner David Beckham and saying “hold my beer,” until Messi’s wife Antonela revealed it was in fact a pose by Thor. reaches for his hammer.
Then, in a win against in-state rivals Orlando City, Messi crossed his arms in the form of the Black Panther to celebrate his second Marvel themed party.
Messi’s third and final Marvel celebration for now came during the 4-0 win against Charlotte when he celebrated his goal by pretending to shoot webs as if he were Spider-Man.
This led some fans to speculate that Messi was being paid by Marvel or hinting at a future project he would star in.
Messi scored nine goals in his first six appearances for Inter Miami in a whirlwind start
Messi and Miami will play in the Leagues Cup final against Nashville on Saturday evening
Adidas had also recently released a Marvel themed ball and gear for the MLS All-Star game.
Even though it now appears that Messi and his arrival in Miami had absolutely nothing to do with the league’s All-Star activations, Adidas’s releases only fueled fan speculation – which has now been proven completely false.
The World Cup winner scored nine times in his first six games in Miami and will play next against Nashville in the Leagues Cup final on Saturday evening.
And if Messi continues his superhero level of scoring, it certainly means Miami lifts the trophy in Tennessee.