Is Lionel Messi a Zionist? The Argentine soccer star’s long history with Jewish and Israeli life

Lionel Messi, a global soccer icon, has maintained a carefully neutral public image throughout his decorated career, rarely engaging in political commentary. However, his occasional expressions of support for Jewish causes and Israeli entities have drawn attention, particularly during the current World Cup.

As Argentina faces Switzerland in the quarterfinals, Messi's past interactions with Jewish and Israeli culture have resurfaced. Critics have leveraged these affiliations to argue against supporting Argentina, while many Israelis reportedly favor the team. This scrutiny highlights how even a carefully managed public persona can become entangled in complex geopolitical narratives.

Throughout his career, Messi has had several notable intersections with Jewish and Israeli life. In July 2013, he sent a message to the Argentine Maccabiah team before their departure for the "Jewish Olympics" in Israel. This followed his 2011 participation in a campaign honoring victims of the 1994 AMIA Jewish center bombing in Buenos Aires.

Later that same month, Messi visited the Western Wall during a "peace tour" with FC Barcelona. The club also organized skills clinics for Israeli and Palestinian children and facilitated meetings with local dignitaries, including Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, President Shimon Peres, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In 2014, he was slated to participate in a "match for peace" in Rome organized by Pope Francis, but an injury prevented his involvement. The event aimed to promote peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Messi's interactions have not been without controversy. In 2016, he was labeled "Jewish" and a "Zionist" by Egyptian officials after donating his soccer cleats to charity. An Egyptian Football Federation spokesman criticized the donation, questioning Egypt's need for such aid from someone perceived as having Jewish or Zionist ties.

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I know he’s Jewish, he donated to Israel and visited the Wailing Wall and whatever. …We don’t need his shoes and Egypt’s poor don’t need help from someone with Jewish or Zionist citizen