Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend

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Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend
Messi's World Cup The Rise of a Legend 2024.png
Promotional poster showing Lionel Messi with the FIFA World Cup Trophy
Genre Biographical
Docudrama
Starring Lionel Messi
Original languagesEnglish
Spanish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producers
  • Brian Carmody
  • Juan Camilo Cruz
  • Patrick Milling Smith
  • Tim Pastore
  • Matt Renner
  • Jenna Millman
Producer
    Production locations
    Running time43–49 minutes
    Production companies
    • SMUGGLER Entertainment
    • Pegsa Group
    Original release
    Network Apple TV+
    Release21 February 2024 (2024-02-21)

    Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend is a biographical documentary series produced in a collaboration between Apple TV+, SMUGGLER Entertainment and Pegsa Group. The series follows Lionel Messi's triumphant career, his overall impact on football and shows his journey of highs and lows with the Argentina national football team across five World Cups, culminating with his fairytale ending of winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup. [1] [2] [3]

    Contents

    Cast

    Episodes

    No. in
    series
    TitleFeatured matchesDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [4]
    1"The Last Cup" Argentina  Flag of Argentina.svg 1–2 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia UnknownUnknown21 February 2024 (2024-02-21)
    Having been on a 36-match unbeaten streak since 2019, the reigning champions of the Copa América and the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions get the most dream-shattering start to the World Cup. Messi reflects on his career start with FC Barcelona and his first World Cup goal with Argentina at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
    2"We Can Dream Again" Argentina  Flag of Argentina.svg 2–0 Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico
    Poland  Flag of Poland.svg 0–2 Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina
    Argentina  Flag of Argentina.svg 2–1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
    UnknownUnknown21 February 2024 (2024-02-21)
    Messi remembers his time with Diego Maradona as Argentina prepare for a do-or-die clash against rivals Mexico. Afterwards Argentina get a dominant win against Poland in the final group match and advance as group winners. In the Round of 16 Argentina overcome Australia in another dominant display.
    3"The Weight of a Nation" Netherlands  Flag of the Netherlands.svg 2–2 (3–4 pen.) Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina (Battle of Lusail)
    Argentina  Flag of Argentina.svg 3–0 Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia
    UnknownUnknown21 February 2024 (2024-02-21)
    Messi looks back with regret at the 2014 FIFA World Cup final defeat, the subsequent unsuccessful campaigns at the Copa América and talks about all the criticism and abuse he experienced during his career with the national team which led to his early international retirement in 2016 and his comeback. Argentina win a dramatic and hard-fought battle against their historic rivals the Netherlands and advance to the semi-finals where they easily overcome Croatia thanks to Messi brilliance.
    4"Redemption" Argentina  Flag of Argentina.svg 3–3 (4–2 pen.) Flag of France.svg  France (2022 FIFA World Cup final)UnknownUnknown21 February 2024 (2024-02-21)
    With the chance of leading Argentina to World Cup glory and realizing a lifelong dream, Messi takes on Mbappé and France in the most epic and thrilling final in World Cup history.

    Release

    The series premiered on Apple TV+ on 21 February 2024. [5] [6]

    Reception

    On IMDb, the docuseries scored a rating of 8.4/10 based on 402 audience reviews. [7] In the first week of its release, it ranked as the 8th most watched TV show worldwide on Apple TV+, and ended the first week in Apple TV+'s Top 10 list in over 50 countries. [8]

    References

    1. "Apple TV+ scores with documentary series featuring legendary football champion Lionel Messi and his FIFA World Cup career, culminating in his dramatic Qatar 2022 win". Apple.com . 6 June 2023. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
    2. "'Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend': Release Date, Trailer, Cast, and Everything We Know So Far". Collider . 14 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
    3. "Lionel Messi Docuseries Gets Premiere Date At Apple TV+ & Teaser Trailer". Deadline . 15 December 2023. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
    4. "Shows A-Z – Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend". The Futon Critic . Retrieved 21 February 2024.
    5. "Apple TV+ reveals the new teaser trailer for the highly anticipated new documentary event "Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend," premiering February 21, 2024". Apple.com . 15 December 2023. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
    6. "'Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend', new Messi documentary scheduled for February". Diario AS . 16 December 2023. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
    7. "Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend – Ratings". IMDb . 21 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
    8. "Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend". FlixPatrol.com. 21 February 2024. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.