Lionel Messi continues to be in the limelight for the rest of his playing career. However, today’s story is not about the Argentine. It is about Valentino Acuna, a soccer player who played the role of young Messi in his documentary. Well, the esteemed stunt double is now 17 years old and is gaining some popularity again after his recent performances at the FIFA U17 World Cup.

Once cast to recreate teenage Messi’s dazzling left foot, Valentino Acuna has gone and managed to find the back of the net on the global stage in real life!

The boy who played the role of Messi shines at the U17 World Cup!

The documentary of Lionel Messi was released in 2014. The makers needed a young boy with a Messi-like ability to recreate his childhood. A kid named Valentino Acuna did the role brilliantly. Little did fans know the same Valentino Acuna will now be impressing for club and country in real life. He is also a boy from Rosario, like Messi. The 17-year-old plays for Newell’s Old Boys and is currently in Indonesia, representing Argentina in the U17 World Cup. He scored in the team’s 3-1 win against Japan, and this was his first-ever goal in the competition.

Earlier this year, he represented Argentina in the U17 South American Championship. He played nine games and managed to score a goal too. Unfortunately, the Argentines lost the game against Brazil in the final with a 3-2 scoreline.

Valentino Acuna is already showing glimpses of a glorious career to look forward to and contracted with Newell’s Old Boys until 2025. A young Rosario boy impresses while playing for Newell’s Old Boys has a familiar tune, doesn’t it? The incredible Lionel Messi impressed Barcelona in the same way. Acuna also possesses the quality of taking free-kicks brilliantly. He is a talented midfielder who likes to join the attack with the forwards.

Newell’s Old Boys cannot afford to miss out on the opportunity to track his progress post the World Cup. Keeping a close eye on his development is imperative for the team’s success. Amid his impressive performances in the World Cup, scouts from major European clubs will already be viewing the youngster from the stands.

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The Lionel Messi documentary did receive praise from audience and critics

Lionel Messi’s documentary had a stellar star cast in their ranks. The documentary included famous soccer players like Andres Iniesta, Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique, Sergio Aguero, Xavi, Ronaldinho, and others. It also included managers like Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, and Johan Cruyff. However, what impressed many was Messi’s childhood rise as a soccer player in the documentary. It also showed his struggle in the city of Rosario.

The documentary was distributed by the reputable company Warner Films Bro. However, the film had limited release in Spain, Croatia, and other American countries. So, it could only manage a box office collection of $33,670. Whereas, his rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s documentary in 2015 went ahead with a big release. So, it grossed over $200,000 at the box office.

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Valentino Acuna hopes to play with his idol, Lionel Messi, one day. But, for him, the first step will be to do well at the moment for the Argentina U-17 team. Do you think it will be a story to remember?