The "Ankara Messi" Meme Explained

Have you seen the funny phrase "Ankara Messi" floating around soccer social media? You’re not alone! Let’s break it down like you’re five years old.

What Is the "Ankara Messi" Meme?

• If you’ve been on soccer pages or videos online, you’ve probably heard the term "Ankara Messi."
• The meme usually shows a video of Lionel Messi (a super famous soccer player) dribbling past other players.
• Fans often wonder: Is "Ankara" his nickname? A cool soccer trick? Something else?
• Here’s the surprise: it has nothing to do with Ankara, the capital city of Turkey!
• It’s actually a funny quote from a famous soccer TV broadcast.

Important Point: "Ankara" is not a place or a nickname—it’s a misheard Spanish cheer from a live soccer game!

Where Did the "Ankara Messi" Meme Come From?

The story starts with an amazing goal:

• On April 18, 2007, Messi played for Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final against a team called Getafe.
• He was only 19 years old!
• Messi ran from his own side of the field, passed many defenders (the other team’s players), beat the goalkeeper, and scored.
• People said this goal looked just like Diego Maradona’s famous "Goal of the Century" from the 1986 World Cup.

The Magic Words

• A Spanish commentator named Joaquín María Puyal was watching the game live.
• As Messi ran past players, Puyal kept shouting: "¡Arranca Messi!"
• In Spanish, that means "Messi takes off!" or "Messi is off on a run!"
• Because it sounds like "Ankara," fans online started calling it the "Ankara Messi" meme.

Summary

The "Ankara Messi" meme is not about Turkey or a nickname. It comes from a 2007 Messi goal where a Spanish commentator yelled "¡Arranca Messi!" (Messi takes off!). People heard it as "Ankara Messi," and a soccer meme was born!

FAQ

1. Is Ankara a nickname for Messi?
No! Ankara is the capital of Turkey. The meme comes from a Spanish phrase that sounds like "Ankara."

2. Who said "Ankara Messi"?
Spanish commentator Joaquín María Puyal said "¡Arranca Messi!" during Messi’s 2007 goal against Getafe.

3. Why is the goal so famous?
Because a teenager ran almost the whole field past many players, like Maradona did in 1986.

4. What does "¡Arranca Messi!" mean?
It means "Messi takes off!" or "Messi is on a run!" in Spanish.