Spider-Man star says football legend Lionel Messi was his biggest hero while promoting Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Tom Holland has revealed that football icon Lionel Messi, rather than Spider-Man or another Marvel superhero, was his childhood hero while promoting the upcoming film Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
The actor made the comments during an interview linked to a promotional campaign for the latest Marvel film, which also features the Argentina captain.
The campaign imagines Spider-Man swinging through the city while giving Messi a ride using his signature webs, bringing together two of the world’s most recognisable figures from sport and entertainment.
Asked which superheroes inspired him while growing up, Holland surprised fans by choosing the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner instead of a comic book character.
“I’ve always really loved Messi,” Holland said during the interview.
The remark caught the attention of both football and Marvel fans, particularly because Holland has become globally associated with portraying Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
His comments reflected his long-standing admiration for Messi, whose success at both club and international level has made him one of football’s most celebrated players.
Messi has enjoyed an extraordinary career, winning numerous domestic league titles, UEFA Champions League trophies and major international honours. His achievements with Argentina, including lifting the FIFA World Cup, have cemented his reputation as one of the greatest footballers in history.
The promotional campaign also arrives as anticipation builds for another significant moment in Messi’s international career.
The 39-year-old is preparing to captain Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain. Victory would see Argentina become the first men’s national team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title.
Meanwhile, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is one of Marvel Studios’ most anticipated upcoming releases, with Holland returning as Peter Parker alongside a new cast and storyline following the events of previous Spider-Man films.
The collaboration between Holland and Messi has generated significant attention online, bringing together two global stars from different worlds while highlighting the actor’s lifelong admiration for one of football’s greatest players.