Lionel Messi Rap References: Unforgettable Times Rappers Name-Dropped the GOAT as His 2026 Retirement Was Announced

Lionel Messi rap references have been part of hip-hop culture for years, but they feel even more meaningful now that the Argentine legend has officially retired from international football. On August 31, 2026, Messi announced the end of his career with the Argentina national team after 21 years, 207 caps, 125 goals, a World Cup title in 2022, and a final appearance in 2026.

This article celebrates that legacy by collecting the most notable times rappers from different scenes paid homage to him in their lyrics. From mainstream American hip-hop to Latin trap and French rap, the list shows how deeply Messi’s name has entered global music.

In the following sections you will find a complete and accurate collection of Lionel Messi rap references. We start with the biggest names in English-language hip-hop, move into the Latin trap and reggaeton world where Messi is treated almost like a cultural icon, and finish with French rappers who have been name-dropping him for more than a decade. Every entry includes the correct song title, the real lyric, and a short background so you can understand the context behind each bar.

Whether you are a football fan discovering these lines for the first time or a hip-hop listener who already knows some of them, this guide brings all the important Lionel Messi rap references together in one place with proper detail. Let’s begin with the tracks that reached the widest audience.

Lionel Messi Rap References from Mainstream Hip-Hop

Some of the strongest Lionel Messi rap references come from the biggest names in American and Canadian hip-hop. These artists used his name as a symbol of pure excellence, precision, and greatness.

Travis Scott

On the 2023 track “Meltdown” from his album Utopia (featuring Drake), Travis Scott delivered one of the most quoted lines of the year:
“The boy going Lionel Messi, I go Tom Brady.”
The bar compares Drake’s preference for watching Messi with Scott’s own love for NFL legend Tom Brady. It dropped only weeks after Messi arrived in Inter Miami, making the reference feel timely and cultural.

Drake

Drake has referenced Messi more than once. The clearest example appears on Future’s 2022 hit “I’m On One,” where Drake raps:
“I’m just all about my goals like I’m Messi.”
Drake, a known football fan, used the line to talk about ambition and consistency. The same song also name-drops Cristiano Ronaldo, showing how both GOATs sit comfortably in his bars.

Kanye West

On the 2021 album Donda, Kanye West included a surreal and memorable reference on “Off the Grid”:
“They playin’ soccer in my backyard, I think I see Messi.”
The line comes in the middle of a spiritual and chaotic verse, turning Messi into a sudden vision of greatness appearing in everyday life.

Chance the Rapper

Chance the Rapper delivered a clever left-foot pun on Justin Bieber’s 2020 single “Holy”:
“When they get messy, go lefty, like Lionel Messi.”
The bar plays on Messi’s famous left foot while fitting perfectly into a song about staying clean and focused.

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj joined the conversation in 2023 on Lil Uzi Vert’s “Endless Fashion” with the line:
“When bitches test me, it get Messi like soccer.”
She used Messi’s name to describe chaos and skill at the same time, turning a football reference into pure attitude.

Kendrick Lamar & Baby Keem

On their 2023 collaboration “The Hillbillies,” the pair kept it short and stylish:
“5’7”, I’m Messi, girl.”
The line nods to Messi’s height while claiming the same level of greatness in a compact, confident bar.

These mainstream Lionel Messi rap references show how naturally his name fits into bars about dominance, skill, and being the best.

Latin Trap and Reggaeton Lionel Messi Rap References

In the Latin world, Messi is treated with deeper emotion and cultural pride. Many of these Lionel Messi rap references feel personal rather than just flashy.

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny has mentioned Messi multiple times across his career.
On the 2016 track “Tú No Vive Así” with Arcángel he rapped:
“No he metido un gol y tengo a cristianos orándole a Messi.”

In 2023 he returned with two strong lines. On “Mónaco” he said:
“Es como meter un gol después de Messi y Maradona.”

And on “Vuelve Candy B” he declared:
“Desde que Messi está en la USA, to’ el mundo sabe quién es la cabra.”
These bars show Bad Bunny’s genuine respect for Messi as both a football legend and a cultural figure in the United States.

Paulo Londra

Argentine trap star Paulo Londra gave one of the most romantic references on his 2019 song “Nena Maldición”:
“Quiero ser Messi y tú mi Antonella.”
The line compares his relationship to Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo, turning the football couple into a symbol of the perfect love story.

Neo Pistea

Neo Pistea went further than almost anyone by releasing an entire song simply titled “Messi” in 2018. He repeats the name “Messi” more than one hundred times throughout the track, turning it into a full celebration of the player. The song became a cult favorite among Argentine trap fans.

Anuel AA

On the 2020 track “Medusa” (with Jhayco and J Balvin), Anuel AA kept it simple and confident:
“Me siento como Messi.”
He used the name as a direct claim of being on top of his game.

French Rappers Who Name-Dropped Messi

French rap has a long tradition of football references, and Messi has been part of that conversation for over a decade.

Gims

One of the earliest French references came from Gims (then with Sexion d’Assaut) on the 2009 track “La Douille”:
“J’t’explique j’suis précis comme Messi.”
The bar highlights Messi’s legendary precision with the ball.

Niro

Niro opened his song “N.I.R.O” with a clear and proud declaration:
“Ni Ronaldinho, ni Ronaldo, dans c’rap j’suis Lionel Messi.”
He rejected other legends to claim Messi’s status for himself in rap.

Booba, Rohff, Jul and others

Booba released a track called “Léo Messi,” while Rohff, Jul, Dry, and R.E.D.K. have all included Messi bars over the years. These French artists often focus on his genius, technique, and untouchable status.

Why Rappers Love Referencing Lionel Messi

Across languages and styles, rappers keep returning to Messi because his name has become global shorthand for greatness. Saying “Messi” instantly communicates skill, consistency, vision, and being on another level. Whether an artist wants to brag about success, describe precision, or simply claim the top spot, Messi’s name does the heavy lifting in a single word.

His international retirement in August 2026 only increases the value of these older bars. They now serve as cultural time capsules from the years when Messi was still rewriting football history in real time.

Conclusion

From Travis Scott and Drake to Bad Bunny, Neo Pistea, Gims, and Niro, the list of Lionel Messi rap references is long, rich, and impressive. These lyrics prove that Messi’s influence reached far beyond the pitch and deep into the global language of hip-hop, trap, and French rap. As the football world celebrates the end of his international career, the music world had already been giving him his flowers for years through these unforgettable bars.