Lionel Messi documentary gets Amazon Prime release.

Buzz, Film

In the absence of what would’ve been the UEFA Euro 2020 kick off, in Rome this today, 102 Distribution announces the SVOD release of MESSI, the Argentine sporting sensation who is widely considered to be the best football player in the world. Available on Amazon Prime UK, MESSI features previously unseen footage and provides rare insight into the life of the sporting hero who seldom gives interviews. This revised edition of Álex de la Iglesia‘s biographical documentary is available ahead of Messi’s birthday on 24 June and so plays as a fitting tribute to be enjoyed by audiences at home and to maybe inspire games in the garden or local park.

An undeniable legend, MESSI traces the rise of this former child prodigy who joined his first football club aged four. From his childhood discovery by Barcelona when he was just 13 – and when his contract was written on a napkin as it was the only paper to hand – and his debut three years later, to becoming the club’s highest paid player in 2008 and the Champions League’s top scorer; he remains one of the world’s top scorers of all time and has broken multiple sporting records.

MESSI presents an innovative approach to the telling of this extraordinary life, incorporating previously unseen archive footage and family films, reconstructions and interviews with other football legends including the infamous Argentine player and manager Diego Maradona, former Barcelona stars Andrès Iniesta and Gerard Piqué and the late Dutch midfielder Johan Cruyff. In order to add insight to his career trajectory, Messi’s friends and family, teachers, admiring colleagues and commentators are also interviewed to create an intimate and detailed overview of Argentina’s highest goal scorer.

What also makes this documentary special is the innovative approach to filming by the cult Spanish director Álex de la Iglesia (Perdita Durango, The Day of the Beast), who was able to corral many key figures from international football and Messi’s personal life in one room to share their memories and stories of the star player.

MESSI enjoyed a limited UK release in cinemas and was released in Italy to huge acclaim and box-office success, now it may be seen exclusively at Amazon Prime Video UK.