Lionel Messi has been a superhero to so many teams in his 19-year career that he’s starting to look like one, too.
Since arriving at Inter Miami, the Argentinian soccer star has scored eight goals in five games, which has certainly been a bonus for the MLS team as they attempt to win the Leagues Cup crown.
As Messi scored the final goal in Inter Miami’s 4-0 victory over Charlotte in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals on Friday, he celebrated with Spider-Man hands.
This marked his third celebration imitating a Marvel superhero across the last three games in which he scored.
Messi’s first Marvel-inspired goal occurred in the Round of 32 against Atlanta, showing off with the hand motion used by Thor to summon his hammer, Mjolnir.
The celebration had fans talking and waiting in anticipation to see if the trend continued.
In the following game, he delivered with the famous Black Panther pose.
Messi may be referencing his love for the popular cinematic universe, or he could be supporting the commercial partnership that MLS secured.
Or both.
Recently, the league, along with Adidas, partnered with Marvel to release special novelties, such as Captain America apparel, other Avenger character clothes to come and an Avengers-themed soccer ball that was used in the league’s All-Star game against Arsenal.
However, Argentinian journalist Gaston Edul said the reason behind the celebrations are “for his family and his sons, because they like those Marvel movies.”
The three-time Champions league winner first started for Inter Miami on July 25, scoring two goals and assisting on a third as they topped Atlanta United, 4-1, to win their Leagues Cup group.
Out of the five games he’s played, Inter Miami has been undefeated, including a win off of penalty kicks 5-3 against Dallas.
Inter Miami will face the Philadelphia Union on Tuesday in the semifinals, which may warrant a Hulk smash or an Iron Man fist.