Global football and soccer icon Lionel Messi will soon reveal his favorite goal from a career that spans over 800 goals across clubs and country. Quite an intimidating task – even for the master himself. The goal he selects will be transformed into a unique digital artwork by Refik Anadol, a leading figure in contemporary AI-driven art, as part of A Goal in Life, a landmark charity initiative led by the Inter Miami CF Foundation.
The final piece, co-signed by Mr. Messi and Mr. Anadol, will be auctioned at Christie’s, with all proceeds supporting educational and humanitarian projects, including a partnership with UNICEF focused on quality education across five countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The goal, which will be revealed on May 22, through Inter Miami CF Foundation’s official social media channels, will mark the first time Mr. Messi has publicly named a personal favorite from his long list of career-defining moments. The announcement will set the stage for a rare intersection of elite football and digital art, blending data and emotion into something entirely new.
“Choosing just one goal out of them all is very difficult—each one is special in its own way, and some are really important or bring back incredible memories,” said the 37 year old Argentinian player. “But highlighting one as a favorite for the first time, to make this unique project possible is worth it. There’s a strong purpose behind it, and I’m really happy to be part of it.”
Mr. Anadol’s final creation will consist of two parts, a direct visual representation of the chosen goal and an AI-generated artwork built from millions of data points tied to that moment—movement, visuals, sound, even crowd energy. The work will be officially unveiled by Christie’s in New York on June 11, ahead of the auction’s close on July 25.
“It’s an extraordinary honor to join forces with Leo Messi—one of the greatest athletes of our time—on a project that supports non-profit organizations, including UNICEF, and bridges the emotional legacy of sport with the future of art,” said Mr. Anadol. “At Refik Anadol Studio, we’ve always believed in the power of data to tell deeply human stories. Using AI to visualize the memory of Messi’s favorite goal is both a creative and ethical endeavor: to celebrate emotion, memory, and excellence.”
The campaign is creatively led by Xavier Roca with artistic curation by Ximena Caminos. And to bring the story to life, the voice guiding the global audience through this journey will be none other than actor Morgan Freeman.
Jorge Mas, Inter Miami CF Managing Owner, said, “An education is the fuel of dreams. That is why Inter Miami is committed to supporting programs that provide access to education for all. We are excited to see the beauty of Leo’s favorite goal through the artistic lens of Refik. This innovative collaboration brings together the world’s greatest soccer player and renowned artist to create a one-of-a-kind piece to benefit our educational initiatives. It will truly be a work of art like no other.”
From the pitch to the canvas, this moment is more than a tribute to a historic career—it’s a reminder of how sport, art, and purpose can come together to make a lasting impact.
