Lionel Messi follows Michael Jordan’s path with a Disney hero who never has to retire
“Messi and the Giants” could introduce the soccer star to children who never watch him play, extending his name beyond his final match
M ichael Jordan has not played an NBA game in 23 years, but his name still sells billions of dollars in sneakers and clothing. Lionel Messi is building another way to stay in children’s lives after his playing career ends: an animated adventure. “Messi and the Giants,” which he executive produces, will premiere globally on Disney+ in summer 2027. Its first teaser debuted on October 2 at San Diego Comic-Con Málaga.
Jordan showed how an athlete’s name could outlast the athlete’s career. Nike reported $7.034 billion in Jordan Brand sales for fiscal 2026. Forbes estimated his latest annual Nike royalty check at approximately $260 million in 2023, although that figure should not be treated as his confirmed yearly payment today. His business reaches people who watched him win championships and younger customers who never saw him play.
Messi’s next audience may meet him through a cartoon
The series follows Leo, a 12-year-old from Argentina trapped in a world ruled by giants. To return home, he must face them in soccer-like battles, relying on skill, teamwork and determination. The connection to Messi is easy to understand: a small kid facing much bigger opponents and finding a way through. Sony Pictures Television and Sony Music Vision developed the project, with animation from Atlantis Animation.
That choice opens a different door. A child does not need to remember a Barcelona goal or Argentina’s World Cup victory to care about Leo. The character can keep having adventures long after Messi stops playing. Sony has also announced plans for consumer products and brand partnerships, giving the project a business beyond the screen.
Sony’s timing gives the project added significance. While Messi continues playing for Inter Miami under a contract through 2028 , he is already helping build something that could keep his name familiar to children long after his final match.
His role as executive producer places him behind the project as well as at the center of its inspiration, potentially giving him a say in how the story develops and how his name is used. Any ownership stake or share of the profits, however, depends on financial terms that have not been made public.
There is a personal reason behind it, too. Messi has said he loved animated series as a child and looks forward to watching this one with his own children. “I hope I will inspire them and motivate them to achieve their own dreams,” he said of its young audience.
Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami through the 2028 MLS season, while Jordan’s latest annual brand sales show how much a sporting name can mean decades after retirement. Messi’s series has yet to prove it can build that kind of lasting connection. But it gives him a chance to become a childhood favorite for kids whose first memory of him may come from Disney+, rather than a soccer match.
