Lionel Messi will have his own World Cup documentary on Apple TV+ with a press release having been released on Tuesday.
Messi had cameras around him during the World Cup, and Apple TV+ announced a documentary on Tuesday. The film is set to have exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Lionel Messi and was filmed in Paris, Qatar and Argentina.
The best player in the world told the makers the following before filming began:
“It would be the best experience to win the World Cup and end my career in this way.” I dreamed of it after many years of fighting for it. I created a million possibilities of what could happen…
“The first match, the round of 16, the quarter-final, the semi-final and the final. I will also experience it as something special because it is the last one. To end my last year with a World Cup win would be a dream ending.”
The full press release can be found below:
Apple TV+ scores with docu-series featuring legendary soccer champion Lionel Messi and his FIFA World Cup career culminating in his dramatic victory at Qatar 2022
The inspirational series is the first official definitive account of Messi’s sensational career with the Argentine national team and his five appearances at the FIFA World Cup
Apple TV+ today announced a new untitled four-part documentary series from SMUGGLER Entertainment, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes access to global superstar Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the greatest of all time in a sport that commands the devotion of five billion fans worldwide. Filmed in Paris, Qatar and Argentina, the series follows the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner through his five World Cup appearances and winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar in one of the most thrilling finals in history. In his own words, Messi tells the definitive story of his incredible career with Argentina’s national football team, providing an intimate and unprecedented insight into his quest for a legacy-defining World Cup victory.
Just days before the start of the tournament, Messi told filmmakers: “To win the World Cup and end my career in this way would be the ultimate experience. I dreamed of it after many years of fighting for it. I created a million possibilities of what could happen… first leg, round of 16, quarter final, semi final and final. I will also experience it as something special because it is the last one. To end his last year by winning the World Cup would be a dream ending.” Within weeks and in front of record viewing figures, Leo Messi cemented his place in the sports pantheon as he lifted the World Cup.
The currently untitled documentary event is executive produced by Emmy Award winner Tim Pastore (“Free Solo,” “Jane”), Emmy and Tony Award winners Patrick Milling Smith and Brian Carmody, and Emmy Award winner Matt Renner (“Free Solo,” “Limitless with Chris Hemsworth”) from SMUGGLER Entertainment, along with Jon Henion (“Welcome to Wrexham”) and Juan Camilo Cruz (“In Her Hands”). The series for Apple is produced by SMUGGLER Entertainment and produced in collaboration with Pegsa.
Filmmakers followed Messi during the thrilling 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, providing rare and unique access before, during and after his monumental feat to become a legendary champion. From Qatar’s training facilities to the chaos of press events to quiet contemplation in Messi’s private room, the series highlights the exciting mix of public and private worlds of the planet’s greatest living athlete, as well as that of his loyal supporters across Argentina and those who have made the pilgrimage to Qatar. The series also features the most personal interviews with Messi to date, along with interviews with teammates, coaches, competitors, dedicated fans and commentators who testify to the incredible influence and impact he has on the nation and the world, along with grace, courage and willpower. he has proven throughout his career. The documents chart the dramatic journey from his first match with the Argentina national football team, where he was shown a red card in the first minute, to carrying the weight of the country on his shoulders through several elusive World Cup victories, leading to his early retirement . in 2016 and finally returning to become the FIFA World Cup champion and crowned the best player of the 2022 tournament.
Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, ground-breaking documentaries and entertainment for kids and families, available to watch on all your favorite screens. Upon its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch worldwide, premiering more original hits in its debut and winning more awards faster than any other streaming service. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been recognized with 365 wins and 1,465 award nominations, including the multi-Emmy award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and the all-time Academy Award winner for Best Picture, “CODA.”