Has Lionel Messi really signed a two-year contract with KFC?

A social media post claiming Lionel Messi has signed a two-year contract with KFC has sparked widespread speculation and discussion. The image and text suggest a significant endorsement deal between Messi and the fast-food chain. However, fact-checking organizations like Fact Crescendo have deemed this claim misleading, emphasizing the need for careful scrutiny of viral content. It’s crucial to verify such claims through credible sources to prevent misinformation from spreading.

This is about our investigation of this claim.

Social Media Claim

A recent viral photo and claim circulating on Facebook suggested that Lionel Messi has signed a two-year contract with KFC. This claim quickly gained traction on social media, leading to widespread discussion and speculation among users. The image and accompanying text implied a significant endorsement deal between Messi and the fast-food chain, creating considerable buzz online.

The post featured a photo purportedly linking Messi to KFC, which fueled curiosity and reactions from fans and the public.

The following image, captured from the Facebook user’s post, has attracted significant attention from other users.

Facebook Post | Archived Link

The above claim has also been seen and published by other Threads users, which has led many other users to question whether this news is real.

Threads Link | Archived Link

Similarly, the above claim was also found and posted on X recently, with multiple reactions and shares by the users. The user claimed “BREAKING: Lionel Messi has signed for KFC on a two year deal”.

X Link | Archived Link

Given the claim’s extensive dissemination and the considerable attention it has received from the internet community, we believed it was necessary to perform a fact-check on the above subject.

Fact Check

Fact Crescendo monitors and verifies these videos through the Google Reverse Image Search process, which leads us to find the truth as follows:

As of now, there have been no official reports or credible sources confirming such a deal. Messi is a professional football player, and any major contract he enters would typically be with a football club or brand related to sports, not a fast-food chain.

The official KFC account on X (formerly Twitter) posted a photo that appears to show someone resembling Lionel Messi. The image created significant buzz due to Messi’s high profile. The person in the photo is not the real Lionel Messi. Instead, he is identified as Alexandro Pereira Negreiros, a young man who notably resembles Messi. This resemblance has led to the confusion or intrigue surrounding the post.

KFC might be using Alexandro Pereira Negreiros’s resemblance to Messi as part of a creative marketing or promotional campaign. This approach leverages the association with Messi to attract attention and engage with audiences in a novel way.

X Link | Archived Link

According to Reuters published on April 23, 2017, a young employee at a food business in São Paulo, Brazil, has gained Internet fame after a photo of him went viral due to his striking resemblance to Argentine football star Lionel Messi.

Negreiros expresses that it “would be an honor” to meet Messi and learn more about him, acknowledging that “he is a personality of global reach”.

Alexandro Pereira Negreiros initially felt “very strange” when people began calling him “Messi”. However, as a passionate football fan, he has gradually grown accustomed to the nickname.

Reuters Link | Archived Link

Lionel Messi has been involved in several high-profile contracts and endorsements throughout his career. Here are some notable ones:

Football Contracts:

1. FC Barcelona (2000–2021):
   • Messi joined Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, in 2000. He made his first-team debut in 2004,
   • His contract with Barcelona was one of the most lucrative in football history. He won numerous trophies with the club, including La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and Copa del Rey titles.

2. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) (2021–2023):
   • After leaving Barcelona due to financial constraints faced by the club, Messi signed a two-year contract with PSG in August 2021,
   • His time at PSG included winning domestic trophies like Ligue 1 and the Trophée des Champions.

3. Inter Miami (2023–Present):
   • In July 2023, Messi signed with Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer (MLS) club. The contract was reportedly a significant deal, reflecting his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Endorsements and Sponsorships:

1. Adidas:
   • Messi has had a long-standing endorsement deal with Adidas, which includes personal endorsements and his own line of football boots and apparel.
2. PepsiCo:
   • He has been involved in various advertising campaigns with Pepsi and other PepsiCo products.
3. Gatorade:
   • Another major endorsement deal with the sports drink brand Gatorade.
4. Budweiser:
   • Messi has also been featured in campaigns for Budweiser, expanding his brand influence beyond football.
5. Rolex:
   • As a global ambassador, Messi has endorsed Rolex, representing the luxury watch brand.

Philanthropic Endeavors:

• Leo Messi Foundation:
  • Founded in 2007, Messi’s charitable foundation focuses on access to education and health care for vulnerable children. The foundation has partnered with various organizations to support its initiatives.

These contracts and endorsements reflect Messi’s prominence not only as a footballer but also as a global brand ambassador. His deals have often included significant financial terms, reflecting his status as one of the sport’s greatest players.

Biography Link | Archived Link

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Conclusion

Fact Crescendo found that the above claim posted on social media is misleading. In fact, Lionel Messi has not signed a two-year contract with KFC. The person in the viral photo is actually Alexandro Pereira Negreiros, who resembles Messi but is not the football star himself.