Lionel Messi and Tom Holland appear in a humorous promotional video for Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Lionel Messi has proven himself to be a superhero on the field for decades, but the Argentine legend took a step forward when he appeared alongside Tom Holland in a viral promotional video. The Inter Miami star stars in a humorous teaser for the upcoming Marvel movie "Spider-Man: Brand New Day." In a combination that few predicted, eight Ballon d'Or winner Messi left the football field to explore the streets of New York City in a new promotional video for Sony Pictures. "GOAT" is currently leading Argentina in the 2026 World Cup, but he took the time to collaborate with Hollywood star Tom Holland in a video that quickly attracted the attention of the online community.

The short begins with Holland's Peter Parker sitting quietly in a coffee shop before being shocked by the football icon's appearance. Clearly overwhelmed, the actor stumbled while trying to reach the World Cup champion. Messi, playing a taller version of himself, reveals that he is using a tracking device to hunt down Spider-Man himself, leading Parker to don the suit and take the veteran striker on a tour of the city's skyscrapers.

The promotional video comes at a busy time for Holland, who is promoting his fourth solo film as the Marvel superhero. The British actor has been a prominent figure during the 2026 World Cup, recently visiting Madrid to discuss both his film and his love of the sport. During this trip, he even pointed out Barcelona star Lamine Yamal as the perfect Spider-Man thanks to his agility and speed.


Holland's return to the big screen marks his first appearance since 2022's "Uncharted." Before the new Marvel movie comes out, he will also star in Christopher Nolan's upcoming project "The Odyssey," making the actor's summer busier than ever. Despite his busy filming schedule, Holland has maintained an interest in football, having previously mentioned his admiration for Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, who is famous for his spider-themed goal celebrations.

The promotional campaign for the new film has officially moved into high gear, with the studio asking fans "Who's next?" along with the release of Messi's image. The reaction to the video has been very positive, with fans delighted to see Messi's sense of humor as he screams while being carried into the air by Spider-Man. Although Messi's appearance was mainly for promotional purposes, it has sparked interesting theories as to whether the Argentine will appear at some point in the actual film. The legendary number 10 showed enthusiasm in the ad, leading many to believe that he is actually a fan of the brand.

"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" is expected to be released on July 31, 2026. The film is made by Destin Daniel Cretton, director of "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings", and promises to bring a new direction for this franchise. The film will be released just as World Cup fever reaches its peak, making the partnership with Messi an extremely smart multinational promotional strategy. In the commercial, Spider-Man asks Messi, "Are you okay with heights?" before the two jumped into the air. It was a light-hearted moment for the player, who now carries the responsibility of an entire country on his shoulders as Argentina seeks to defend its crown. Whether Messi lifts another trophy or simply enjoys a hit movie this July, his status as a global cultural icon remains undeniable.