As June 24 arrives, the world once again pauses for the birthday of Lionel Messi. In 2026, however, the celebration feels less like a football milestone and more like a global cultural ritual, one that stretches from Argentina to Bangladesh and from Hollywood to Bollywood.
At 39, Lionel Messi is no longer just a footballer. He has become a shared reference point in global pop culture, a figure whose influence extends far beyond the pitch and into music, cinema, fashion, and celebrity fandom.
In Bangladesh, Messi’s following has grown into a cultural phenomenon of its own.
During both the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the ongoing 2026 edition, Argentina’s matches have transformed neighbourhoods into a sea of sky-blue and white, with fans turning rooftops into viewing galleries and streets into celebration zones.
This fandom is not limited to ordinary supporters. It is equally visible among public figures in the country’s entertainment industry.
Dhallywood actress Pori Moni has been among the most visible celebrity supporters of Argentina in recent years. During the 2022 World Cup, she frequently shared celebratory posts and football-related content on social media, expressing her excitement over Argentina and Messi’s performances. In the 2026 cycle as well, her continued engagement with Argentina-themed football culture has kept her associated with the country’s celebrity fandom wave.
Actor Chanchal Chowdhury has also been widely seen aligning with Argentina during major tournaments, while figures such as Mehazabien Chowdhury, Nusrat Imroze Tisha, Tanzika Amin, Nadia Ahmed and FS Nayeem and even Brazil supporters like Abul Hayat and Ziaul Faruq Apurba and several television personalities have publicly reacted to Argentina’s victories.
Singer Asif Akbar, a renowned fan of Brazil, has similarly expressed admiration for Messi’s consistency and footballing genius, reflecting how deeply the Argentine captain has entered Bangladesh’s entertainment consciousness.
The Messi phenomenon, however, is not confined to Bangladesh.
Globally, celebrity admiration for Messi cuts across industries. Pop star Shakira has been seen cheering for Argentina in stadiums during the 2026 World Cup, reinforcing her long-standing connection with football culture.
Basketball icon LeBron James publicly congratulated Messi after Argentina’s historic World Cup triumph in 2022, while tennis legend Novak Djokovic has consistently praised Messi’s mentality and longevity.
In Bollywood, Ranbir Kapoor is one of Bollywood’s biggest and most vocal fans of Lionel Messi. The Bollywood actor considers the Argentine superstar his ultimate role model and has been an avid supporter of Messi’s former club, FC Barcelona.
Other actors such as Ranveer Singh and Ayushmann Khurrana have openly celebrated Argentina’s World Cup success in 2022, often sharing emotional posts during key matches.
In Hollywood, celebrities including the retired wrestler-actor John Cena and actor Owen Wilson have also been associated with public admiration for Messi, either through social media tributes or interviews highlighting his greatness.
Part of Messi’s unique global appeal lies in his dual identity: an athlete defined by extraordinary success and a personality defined by restraint. Unlike many modern superstars, he has remained largely free of controversy, allowing his career achievements to shape his public image.
From winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup to extending his influence into the 2026 tournament cycle, where he is leading the goal-scoring chart with an incredible hat-trick in Argentina’s opening match against Algeria and the recent 2-0 victory against Austria, Messi’s legacy has only deepened. His performances continue to generate viral global moments, while his image remains one of the most recognisable in world sport.
In Bangladesh alone, studies and media reports during recent World Cups have shown how Argentina and Messi in particular have developed one of the largest fan bases outside Latin America, turning football viewing into a collective cultural experience rather than just a sporting event.
As the world marks his birthday once again, Messi stands at a rare intersection of sport and culture. He is not only a record-breaking footballer but also a shared emotional language between millions of fans and celebrities across continents.
In an era where fame is often fragmented, Lionel Messi remains one of the few figures capable of uniting it all.
