Messi Israel Ties Resurface Before World Cup Quarterfinal

Online arguments over Lionel Messi's supposed Zionism resurfaced before Argentina's World Cup quarterfinal against Switzerland on Saturday. Reports said anti-Zionist users pointed to Messi's past Jewish and Israeli ties while many Israelis cheered Argentina, even though Messi is Catholic and usually avoids political statements. The background includes his 2013 FC Barcelona peace-tour visit to the Western Wall and skills clinics for Israeli and Palestinian children, Argentina's 2019 Tel Aviv friendly despite boycott pressure, and his role as a brand ambassador for Israeli assistive-vision company OrCam. The story is cultural rather than strategic, but it shows how Israel's image and Jewish identity are pulled into global sport even when the athlete at the center is not Jewish.