If you’ve spent any time on Instagram lately, you might’ve seen a tiny, animated version of the world's greatest soccer player running around. No, it isn't a new FIFA glitch. It’s Messi and the Giants, a massive swing into the world of animation from Lionel Messi himself.
Honestly, it's kind of wild to see a guy who has won everything there is to win in sports pivot to a sci-fi cartoon. But here we are. This isn’t just some cheap marketing tie-in. It’s a full-blown production involving Sony Music Vision, Sony Pictures Television – Kids, and now, Disney.
The project has been brewing for a while. We first heard whispers back in 2023, but things got real when Disney Branded Television officially scooped it up for a global release. It’s basically a coming-of-age story that uses Messi’s real-life values—resilience, teamwork, and being the smallest guy on the pitch—and throws them into a bizarre, high-stakes fantasy world.
What is Messi and the Giants actually about?
The plot is a bit more "Isekai" than your typical sports biopic. Instead of retelling his days in Rosario or Barcelona for the millionth time, the show follows a 12-year-old version of Leo.
One minute he's in Argentina, and the next, he’s sucked into a fantastical alternate universe called Iko.
Iko is a mess. It’s broken up into 10 different realms, and all of them are being bullied by these massive, tyrannical Giants. Young Leo is essentially the "chosen one" because of his talent and his heart. Even though he’s literally the size of a flea compared to these villains, he has to lead a ragtag group to take back the realms.
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It’s a classic David vs. Goliath setup. But with more dribbling.
The Team Behind the Magic
Sony didn't just hire random freelancers for this. They brought in some heavy hitters from the animation world to make sure it doesn't look like a generic mobile game ad.
- Guy Toubes: He’s the executive producer and lead writer. You might know his work from Odd Squad or Transformers: Robots in Disguise. He’s the one making sure the "soccer" parts feel secondary to the actual story and character growth.
- Dan Creteur: Serving as director, he’s been instrumental in the creative development alongside Toubes.
- Atlantis Animation: This studio is based in the Canary Islands. They’ve worked on Miraculous Ladybug (Season 5) and Tara Duncan. If you’ve seen those shows, you know the animation is going to be fluid and vibrant.
Why this project matters for Leo’s legacy
Messi isn't just a face on the poster. He’s been pretty vocal about why he’s doing this. He grew up loving cartoons and now has three sons of his own—Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. He wanted something he could actually watch with them that wasn't just a highlight reel of his goals.
“Nothing truly is impossible with teamwork, perseverance, discipline, and hard work,” Messi said during the press announcement. It sounds a bit like a cliché, but when the guy who won eight Ballon d'Ors says it, it carries some weight.
The show is leaning hard into the idea that being small is a superpower. Messi was always the smallest kid on the field. He had to use his brain and his speed because he couldn't out-muscle anyone. That’s the core "lesson" the show is trying to bake into the sci-fi action.
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Where and when can you watch it?
This is where the news is freshest. Disney Branded Television officially acquired the series in late 2024. This means it has a massive platform waiting for it.
The plan is to premiere Messi and the Giants on the Disney Channel first. Shortly after that, it hits Disney Channel On Demand and then rolls out globally on Disney+.
As for the exact date? We’re looking at a 2025/2026 rollout window. Animation takes forever, and they’re producing this in English, Spanish, and a bunch of other languages to make sure it hits every corner of the globe where "Messi" is a household name.
More than just a TV show
Don’t be surprised if you see Messi and the Giants everywhere. Sony and Disney are already planning a massive "consumer products" push.
We’re talking:
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- Action figures (obviously).
- Apparel and sneakers.
- Potentially a tie-in video game (since the show itself is themed around a video game world).
- Original music from Sony Music artists.
It’s a full ecosystem. They’re betting big that kids who love Messi will want to inhabit this world just as much as they want to wear his Inter Miami jersey.
Is it just for kids?
Honestly, probably. It’s targeted at children and "young adolescents." If you’re a 30-year-old tactical analyst looking for a deep dive into Messi’s 4-3-3 formation at Barca, this isn’t for you.
But if you like high-quality animation or you’re a parent looking for something that isn't brain-rot, it looks promising. The "video game quest" vibe keeps the pace fast, and the 22-minute episode format is perfect for the Disney XD/Disney+ crowd.
There's something uniquely cool about seeing an athlete at the tail end of their career build something for the next generation that isn't just a line of energy drinks.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to keep up with the project, there are a few things you should do:
- Follow Leo’s Socials: He’s been the one dropping the teasers first. His Instagram is the ground zero for any new clips.
- Check Disney+ Coming Soon: Once we hit mid-2025, keep an eye on the "Coming Soon" tray. Disney usually starts the heavy marketing about three months before a premiere.
- Look for the Soundtrack: Since Sony Music is a primary partner, the music in the show will likely feature some big-name Latin and global artists. It won't just be background noise.
The world of Messi and the Giants is expanding fast. It’s a weird, ambitious crossover between the world’s biggest sport and the world’s biggest entertainment engine. Whether it becomes a classic like Space Jam or just a footnote in Messi's career remains to be seen, but with Disney and Sony behind it, it’s hard to bet against it.