SerpApi.Org
As one of the most celebrated soccer players of all time, Lionel Messi has spent his entire career under the spotlight—both on and off the pitch.
More often than not, the cameras have captured moments of brilliance: breathtaking solo goals, iconic celebrations, emotional victories and unforgettable moments with teammates. But they have also captured the other side of his journey, from heartbreaking defeats to moments he would probably rather forget.
In the internet age, those snapshots don’t simply disappear. They are transformed, remixed and immortalized as memes—and when the opportunity presents itself, the internet is always ready to turn Messi’s biggest moments into viral gold.
From hilarious reactions to unforgettable celebrations, these are some of the funniest Messi memes ever created, starting with his most recent—and perhaps most entertaining—viral moment from the 2026 World Cup.
Messi’s Viral Nod
‘Pessi’
This one is for the Cristiano Ronaldo fans.
Over the years, some of Messi’s biggest critics have given him the nickname “Pessi,” usually accompanied by heavily edited images, videos and jokes suggesting the Argentine relies too heavily on penalties or struggles in certain moments.
The meme first appeared during the 2012 Spanish Super Cup clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid. As fans of Messi and Ronaldo debated throughout the match on a discussion board, anonymous users began repeatedly posting “PESSI” as a sarcastic twist on Messi’s name.
For years, the joke remained mostly within online soccer communities before gradually spreading across social media, eventually becoming one of the most recognizable anti-Messi memes on the internet.
The funny part? The criticism has always been somewhat ironic. Messi has scored more than 110 penalties during his career—but Ronaldo has converted over 180. Unsurprisingly, rival fans have since created their own playful nickname for Ronaldo too: “Penaldo.”
Messi & Baby Lamine Yamal
Long before Lamine Yamal became one of the biggest names in world soccer, he was simply a five-month-old baby appearing in a Barcelona and UNICEF photoshoot alongside a young Messi.
At the time, Messi was only 20 years old, but he was already being recognized as a special talent and one of the most exciting prospects in the game. Yamal, meanwhile, was still decades away from announcing himself on the global stage.
During the shoot, one image captured Messi helping Yamal’s mother, Sheila Ebana, bathe the future Barcelona star in a small blue plastic tub—a moment that seemed ordinary at the time but would later become one of soccer’s most famous photos.
For years, some questioned whether the unusual image was genuine. However, UNICEF later confirmed it was real, with photographer Joan Monfort explaining that Messi immediately took a liking to the baby, saying Yamal “stole his heart” because he was always smiling.
Nearly two decades later, the picture has taken on a life of its own. With Messi entering the twilight of his career and Yamal emerging as Barcelona’s next generational talent—and even defeating Messi’s Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final while representing Spain—the image has become pure meme gold.
Most jokes revolve around famous mentor-student or father-son relationships from pop culture. The most popular comparison, however, is likely the Star Wars one, with Messi cast as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yamal as Anakin Skywalker; the young prodigy learns from the master before eventually becoming the one who surpasses him.
The comparison became even more fitting after the 2026 World Cup final, when the student defeated the master on soccer’s biggest stage.
