Did Lionel Messi Kiss the Western Wall? the Viral Photo Resurfacing Online Explained
By Sarah Jenkins
Misinterpretations of the Jerusalem visit collapse when measured against Messi's well-documented religious background. Born and raised in Rosario, Argentina, Messi grew up in a devout Roman Catholic household. Throughout his career with Newell's Old Boys, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami, and the Argentina national team, he has consistently displayed public signs of Christian faith.
His signature goal celebration, crossing himself and pointing both index fingers toward the sky, is a direct tribute to his maternal grandmother, Celia Olivera de Cuccittini, who first walked him to soccer practice as a young child. His body art reinforces these personal beliefs. On his right arm, Messi carries an intricate portrait tattoo of Jesus Christ wearing the Crown of Thorns, paired with a detailed rose window design inspired by Barcelona’s Basilica of the Sagrada Família.
In August 2013, just days after returning from the Peace Tour, Messi and the Argentina national team traveled to Rome for a private papal audience with fellow countryman Pope Francis at the Vatican. During the visit, Messi presented the Pontiff with an olive tree representing international fraternity. He has repeatedly credited God in post-match interviews for his athletic longevity and Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph in Qatar, maintaining an unbroken connection to his Catholic upbringing.
Sarah Jenkins is a veteran tech journalist with over 12 years of experience covering artificial intelligence, mobile innovations, and digital ethics. Her insights have appeared in leading technology publications worldwide.
