The ESPN-produced documentary reveals the pivotal moment that shaped Lionel Messi’s international future. It premieres on June 10 on Disney+.
Messi: The Lost Tape, the ESPN Films documentary that uncovers one of the most decisive and little-known stories in modern football, premieres this Wednesday, June 10, on Disney+ via ESPN.
The documentary explores the key moment that shaped Lionel Messi’s international career and ultimately changed the course of global football.
In 2004, when internet access was still far from widespread, news of a young Argentine player making waves in Spain had barely reached his home country. At just 16 years old, Messi was beginning to attract attention at FC Barcelona, while many in Argentina remained unaware of his extraordinary talent. The Argentine Football Association could not understand how a player of such potential—who was also in the process of obtaining Spanish citizenship—had yet to represent any national team.
To showcase his abilities, a Barça TV journalist compiled Messi’s best plays onto a VHS tape, which was personally delivered to an assistant coach of the Argentina national team in the hope that it would help earn him a call-up.
That tape traveled across the world and triggered a crucial decision between Spain and Argentina, giving rise to a story never before told in a documentary: how the Argentine Football Association swiftly organized two friendly matches with a single objective—to secure Lionel Messi’s future with the Argentina national team.
