The Argentine photographer posted a series of old photos of Messi on the Instagram account @craquesd0futbol on June 30, recounting his early impressions of working with the future football icon.
According to Martin, back in 2005, very few companies offered Messi advertising deals. At that time, he was only playing about 10 minutes per match for his club Barcelona. No one knew for sure whether he would even be called up by the national team coach to play for Argentina in the upcoming 2006 World Cup.
Martin’s production crew picked Messi up from his home to film him juggling a football at the National Flag Monument in Rosario, Argentina.
“He stepped out sweaty, with his shoelaces untied, and people walked right past him without a second glance. He wasn’t ‘Messi’ yet; he was just a skinny kid,” Martin recalled.
Lionel Messi during a photoshoot when he was 18 years old. Photo by Instagram/@craquesd0futbol |
During the shoot, the crew rushed off to fetch clothes, leaving only Martin and Messi alone. While waiting, Martin noticed the young player looked hungry and asked him to have a hot dog.
Messi simply replied: “But I don’t have any money.” He had arrived at the shoot completely empty-handed, no pockets, no wallet or any personal belongings.
Martin bought the hot dog for the young Messi, and they sat together to eat on the grass. Before parting ways, the photographer told him: “The day you win the World Cup, I will tell everyone that I bought you a hot dog.”
That prophet took 16 years to turn true, as Messi won the World Cup in 2022.
The nostalgic series of photos has since received hundreds of thousands of likes and shares on social media. Under the post, many fans left comments wishing Messi success in his current campaign to win the 2026 World Cup. Argentina will face England in the semifinals on Wednesday afternoon (local time).
Martin worked extensively in the advertising industry in Argentina throughout the early 2000s, participating in numerous international sports and commercial projects.
At the 2026 World Cup, Messi remains in excellent form. After six matches in the tournament, the star striker has already scored eight goals, making him the top contender for the World Cup Golden Boot.
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