Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has shed some light into some of his goal celebrations that have garnered extra attention from fans since his move to Major League Soccer.
Since making his debut for Miami in the Leagues Cup, Messi has scored nine goals through six games and been in tremendous form.
The one thing that has stood out to some as much as Messi's play, however, has been the Marvel superhero inspired goal celebrations that he has broken out on three separate occasions.
Some questioned if it was a publicity stunt given Marvel had partnered with MLS earlier this year but speaking to media on Thursday, Messi revealed a far simpler explanation.
'My three sons are still on vacation, have not started school yet, so every night we watch Marvel superhero movies,' he said. 'They came up with the idea and asked that whenever I have a game and score a goal, I do a Marvel superhero celebration.'
'That’s how it started, and we continued that ritual. Each time we watched a new movie, we would practice a goal celebration.'
'But I only do them for home games, when the kids are here, near me, so we can share those moments. When I see them in the stands, that is when I do them.'
Messi's three sons Ciro, Mateo, and Thiago are aged five, seven, and 10 respectively.
The first of such celebrations came during Miami's 4-0 win against Atlanta United when he celebrated a goal by reaching out and cupping his hand.
Fans had initially speculated that the celebration was the 36-year-old Argentine was turning to Miami co-owner David Beckham and saying 'hold my beer,' - until it was revealed by Messi's wife Antonela that it was in fact a pose of Thor reaching out for his hammer.
Following that, in a win against in-state rivals Orlando City, Messi crossed his arms over in the form of the Black Panther to do his second Marvel themed celebration.
Messi's third and for now final Marvel celebration came during the 4-0 victory against Charlotte when he celebrated his goal by pretending to shoot webs as if he was Spider Man.
This led to some fans speculating Messi was either being paid by Marvel or had been hinting at a future project that he would be featured in.
Adidas had also recently released a Marvel themed ball and gear for the MLS All-Star game.
Even though it now seems Messi and his Miami arrival had absolutely nothing to do with the league's All-Star activates, the releases from Adidas only fueled fans speculation-which has now been proven completely incorrect.
The World Cup winner has scored nine times in his first six Miami games and is next in action on Saturday night against Nashville in the Leagues Cup final.
And if Messi continues his superhero level of scoring, it'll surely mean it is Miami lifting the trophy aloft in Tennessee.
Vowcilt
537
8th loading and millions rugby supporters crying in portugal Mozambique Angola and etc
Shmonny
490
I still can't believe how a team becomes the best team from being the worst team with just one man overnight
Clintonbillions
473
8th Balon d'or loading
Newsaint6_
417
America will always be America, just one signing 'BOOMMM' may while Saudi is still wasting money to see if their league will enter top 30 in the world.
richkid842
305
Messi left Europe but his legacy still will still be remember in Europe whenever they mention football because Messi is football goat 🐐 for a reason
Solomondechol
224
Impressive that you also care about your family even while on the pitch ✅💯🐐 Goat Messi ✅💯
cacacdlnu
139
Soon a player from MLS will win balloon d”or