CORNERFLICK
A new rumour has put Lionel Messi at the centre of talk around Grand Theft Auto VI, although Rockstar Games has not confirmed any appearance by the Inter Miami forward.
Why fans think Messi could appear
The speculation rests on the game’s setting. GTA 6 takes place in the fictional state of Leonida and the city of Vice City, which draws on Florida and real-life Miami, where Messi now lives and plays.
That has led some fans to imagine a cameo in several forms, including a mural, graffiti, an advertising banner, a radio joke or even an NPC inspired by him. None of those ideas has any official source behind it, and Rockstar has neither confirmed nor denied Messi’s presence.
Rockstar's track record
The rumour has spread in part because Rockstar has used real figures and cultural Easter eggs before. Phil Collins appeared in Vice City Stories, while Cara Delevingne was included in GTA 5.
For now, the Messi talk remains fan speculation tied to the game’s Miami-inspired backdrop, with no formal link between the player and Rockstar reported.