Fact Check: Is Lionel Messi Israeli supporter? Is Messi Zionist?

Ever since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, social media has repeatedly claimed that Argentine football legend Lionel Messi openly supports Israel. Several images, memes, screenshots and viral posts have been circulated on X, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Telegram to portray Messi as taking a pro-Israel stand.

Since the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, social media has witnessed a fresh surge in posts, memes, edited images and recycled claims attempting to portray Argentine football star as a supporter of Israel or a Zionist. Many of these posts have resurfaced from previous years, while others are newly created using manipulated images, fabricated quotes and misleading captions.

A detailed examination of these claims shows that there is no credible evidence that Messi has publicly declared support for Israel in the ongoing conflict. Most of the widely circulated content has already been debunked by international fact-checking organisations.

Here's what the evidence shows.

Claim 1: Messi was photographed holding the Israeli flag

One of the most widely shared images shows Messi smiling while holding what appears to be the Israeli national flag.

Verdict: False

The image is digitally edited.

Reuters investigated the viral picture and confirmed that the original photograph was taken during a private signing session organised by sports memorabilia company Icons.com in Barcelona in November 2020. In the genuine image, Messi was holding a plain signing board used for autographs, not an Israeli flag. Representatives of Icons.com confirmed to Reuters that the viral image was manipulated.

Independent fact-checkers at AFP and BOOM also reached the same conclusion after comparing the original and altered photographs.

Claim 2: Lionel Messi is a Zionist

Verdict: No evidence

Another claim that frequently appears on social media is that Lionel Messi is a Zionist. The allegation is often accompanied by edited images, old photographs from his visit to Israel, or claims that he supports the Israeli government.

However, there is no verified public statement from Messi in which he identifies himself as a Zionist or expresses support for Zionism as a political ideology. Searches of his official interviews, verified social media accounts and public statements do not show him making such a declaration.

Many posts making the allegation rely on photographs of Messi during FC Barcelona's 2013 "Peace Tour" of Israel and the Palestinian territories. During that visit, Barcelona players met leaders on both sides and visited religious and cultural sites, including the Western Wall in Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories. The tour was organised as a football diplomacy initiative by the club and cannot, by itself, be treated as evidence of Messi's political beliefs.

Some users also point to Messi praying at the Western Wall or visiting Israel on previous occasions. Visiting a country's religious or historical sites, or participating in sporting events there, does not establish support for a political ideology or government. Messi has travelled to dozens of countries throughout his career for matches, promotional events and charity work.

Similarly, there is no verified evidence that Messi has publicly endorsed the policies of the Israeli government or expressed support for Zionism. The "Messi is a Zionist" narrative circulating online is largely based on speculation, edited images and assumptions rather than documented statements from the footballer.

Claim 3: Messi tweeted support for Israel

Several screenshots continue to circulate claiming Messi posted messages supporting Israel.

Examples include statements such as:

• "I stand with Israel."

• "Pray for Israel."

• "Israel has the right to defend itself."

Verdict: False

There is no record of Messi publishing such statements on his verified social media accounts.

Multiple fact-checkers have found that these screenshots either originated from parody accounts, fabricated graphics or edited images designed to resemble genuine social media posts.

A review of Messi's verified accounts also does not show any public political statement supporting Israel in the current conflict.

Claim 4: Messi is an Israeli supporter because he has visited Israel

Some users argue that Messi's previous visits to Israel prove he supports the country.

Verdict: Misleading

Messi has visited Israel several times for football-related events.

For example:

• Argentina has played international friendlies in Israel.

• Messi has participated in promotional and sponsorship events involving Israeli companies.

• Barcelona also travelled to Israel during pre-season activities.

Professional sporting visits do not constitute political endorsement. Likewise, Messi has travelled to numerous countries around the world as part of football competitions, charity events and commercial obligations.

Claim 5: Messi cancelled matches in Israel because he supports Palestine

Another narrative claims Messi refused to play in Israel because he supports Palestine.

Verdict: Unsupported

In 2018, Argentina cancelled a planned friendly against Israel in Jerusalem. The cancellation came amid widespread protests, security concerns and pressure from multiple groups.

Neither Messi nor the Argentine Football Association publicly stated that the decision reflected political support for Palestine. No official statement from Messi described the cancellation as a political endorsement.

Has Messi officially supported Israel?

After reviewing:

Messi's verified social media accounts,

• interviews,

• official statements,

• and reports from credible news organisations,

there is no verified evidence that Lionel Messi has publicly declared support for Israel in the current Israel-Hamas war.

Similarly, there is also no verified public statement from Messi endorsing Palestine during the conflict.

Why is Messi frequently used in misinformation?

Messi is one of the world's most recognised athletes, with hundreds of millions of followers across social media platforms.

False claims involving globally recognised personalities tend to spread rapidly because they attract attention and encourage emotional reactions.

Fact-checkers observed that the Israel-Hamas conflict triggered an unprecedented wave of manipulated images, fabricated screenshots and recycled videos involving celebrities, politicians and public figures.

In Messi's case, misinformation appeared from both sides of the conflict:

• edited images portraying him holding the Israeli flag,

• edited images portraying him holding the Palestinian flag,

• fake tweets,

• fabricated Facebook posts,

• misleading captions attached to unrelated photographs.

The conflicting fake narratives themselves indicate that users have repeatedly attempted to use Messi's popularity to push opposing political messages.

What the evidence says

Available evidence establishes that:

• The viral image of Messi holding the Israeli flag is digitally edited.

• The viral image of Messi holding the Palestinian flag is also digitally edited.

• There is no verified tweet or public statement in which Messi declared support for Israel.

• Claims linking Messi to either side of the conflict have repeatedly relied on manipulated images, fake screenshots and misinformation rather than authentic evidence.

Verdict: False.

There is no credible evidence that Lionel Messi has publicly declared support for Israel in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

The most widely shared "proof" consists of digitally altered images, fabricated social media posts and misleading claims that have been independently debunked by Reuters, AFP and other professional fact-checking organisations. Available evidence shows that Messi has not made any verified public statement endorsing Israel, and viral claims suggesting otherwise are based on misinformation rather than authentic records.