Messi Stars as Villain in New Spider-Man Film Trailer

Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, who plays for Inter Miami, features in a promotional video for one of the biggest upcoming American films, set to be released at the end of this month.

In the video, Messi, aged 39, promotes the new installment in the Spider-Man series titled "Spider-Man: Brand New Day." The clip shows Messi entering a café where he encounters Tom Holland, the film's lead actor, portraying his character Peter Parker.

Messi admits in the advertisement that he has joined the city's ongoing search for Spider-Man by using a tracking device on his mobile phone. Subsequently, Parker disappears into a back room briefly before reappearing suddenly as Spider-Man.

In a scene highlighting Messi's acting skills in Hollywood action films to the fullest extent, according to the American network ESPN, he utters few words before the two embark on a tour through the city's spider webs.

ESPN commented, "We can imagine what will happen next; this is the perfect start for the new villain who will face Spider-Man. Forget Doctor Octopus and the Green Goblin, and welcome The Dribbler."

The film is scheduled to premiere in American cinemas on July 31, and the production company has already begun selling tickets for the screening.

Messi's appearance in this promotional clip continues a long series of his participation in other advertisements related to the tournament currently taking place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, which runs until July 19.

In recent days and weeks, the captain of the Argentine national team has been involved in high-budget advertising campaigns for various brands and products ahead of the World Cup kickoff.

On the sports front, Messi and his team are preparing to continue defending their title from the previous edition. The Argentine team, known as "El Tango," will face Cape Verde at Miami Stadium on Saturday at 1:00 AM Doha time, as part of the round of 32 matches.

Messi played in all three group stage matches against Austria, Jordan, and another team, completing only the second match in full. Overall, he has scored six goals, sharing the top scorer position with French star Kylian Mbappé, who has played one more match.