Other events have illustrated Messi 's presence in popular culture . A solid gold replica of his left foot , weighing and valued at $ 5.25 million , went on sale in Japan in March 2013 to raise funds for victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami . A 2013 Turkish Airlines advertisement starring Messi , in which he engages in a selfie competition with then-Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant , was the most-watched ad on YouTube in the year of its release , receiving 137 million views , and was subsequently voted the best advertisement of the 2005 – 15 decade to commemorate YouTube 's founding . World Press Photo selected " The Final Game " , a photograph of Messi facing the World Cup trophy after Argentina 's final defeat to Germany , as the best sports image of 2014 . '' Messi '' , a documentary about his life by filmmaker Álex de la Iglesia , premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August 2014 . Born in a zoo at Saransk , Mordovia , Russia in late 2015 , Messi , a pet cougar who became popular on social media , was named after the player
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
Lionel Messi