Hollywood superstar Will Smith has shared his experiences of working with football legend Lionel Messi, who made a cameo in the promotional trailer for the film Bad Boys: Ride or Die.
The movie, which also stars Martin Lawrence, was released on June 5 and is the latest instalment in the successful "Bad Boys" franchise. Smith and Lawrence have been busy promoting the film, appearing on various podcasts and TV shows. During an interview on the Full Send Podcast, Smith was asked about his time spent with Messi on set.
He described the Argentine as one of the greatest of all time and gave some insight into what Messi is like off the pitch.
"Messi is fantastic, " Smith gushed."He doesn't do stuff like [acting in the trailer], so it's really interesting when you see somebody who is world class in the thing that they do, and then they get that little kid smile doing something [new].
READ MORE: Man Utd star Lisandro Martinez drops Lionel Messi retirement hint
READ MORE: Lionel Messi tried to persuade Man Utd cult hero to join Inter Miami
"He loved being on the set working and doing pieces. We shot a bunch of social pieces, which was like a relief for him. He just loved playing in that world. He's fun to watch."
The promotional video for "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" kicks off with a bang as Smith and Lawrence slip back into their legendary roles as cops Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett. The action starts in their home when suddenly the doorbell chimes.
To their astonishment, it's none other than Messi, casually dressed in a white tee, standing at their doorstep. In an unexpected twist, Messi speaks up in English, simply stating "Bad Boys," paired with a grin.
Smith and Lawrence, playing their characters, are taken aback and tell Messi he's got the wrong address before shutting the door on him. As the promo wraps up, an unfazed Messi delivers a cheerful "Mucho gusto," bringing a light-hearted end to the skit.
While this might seem like a novel appearance for Messi, the Inter Miami sensation is no stranger to the limelight, having graced numerous commercials, TV shows, and films over his illustrious career. Messi's advertising portfolio boasts big names like Adidas, Pepsi, Lay's, and even a Super Bowl commercial last season.
When it comes to television, Messi has been the subject of documentaries such as "Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend" and "2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar."
He's also featured on "Conan O'Brien Must Go," a MAX travel series where O'Brien dives into the culture, cuisine, and heartbeat of various countries, including a memorable visit to Messi's native Argentina in the show's second episode.