Disney Unveils First Trailer for ‘Messi and the Giants’ Animated Series Set for Summer 2027
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04.10.2026 12:37
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2 min read
Disney has debuted the first trailer for “Messi and the Giants,” a children’s sports-fantasy animated series produced in collaboration with Lionel Messi. The teaser premiered on October 2 at San Diego Comic-Con Málaga, with the series slated for a global release on Disney+ in summer 2027. In the US, the show will also air on Disney Channel.
Despite the title and the lead character’s obvious resemblance to the soccer legend, this is not an animated biopic of Messi. As Disney describes, the plot follows 12-year-old Leo, who finds himself transported to an alternate world called Iko that has been overrun by giants. To return home, he must take part in battles reminiscent of soccer matches, wield energy spheres, and liberate shattered kingdoms.
Leo faces a significant disadvantage against his opponents: he cannot use the world’s native “code powers” that enhance players’ abilities. Instead, he must rely on technique, teamwork, and determination.
Inspired by Messi, Not a Depiction of His Childhood
The link to the real-life soccer star lies primarily in the protagonist’s persona and character traits. When the show was originally announced in 2024, Sony Pictures Television described it as Messi-inspired: an undersized hero who makes up for his lack of physical advantages with skill, wit, and team play.
That initial reveal also revealed that the world of Iko is split into 10 kingdoms ruled by giants. The recurring number “10” in descriptions refers to the lore of this fantasy realm rather than a count of Leo’s goals or trials.
Each episode will run for roughly 22 minutes. Argentine actor Milo Burgess-Webb voices Leo, while the first trailer features the original track “Vamos, Vamos, Vamos” by Argentine artist Luck Ra.
The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television, Sony Music Vision, and Atlantis Animation, with Lionel Messi serving as one of the executive producers.
Disney Adjusts Initial Release Strategy
When the project was first announced in 2024, the plan was to broadcast it on Disney Channel first before bringing it to Disney+. That rollout has since shifted: according to the latest Sony Music announcement, the series will launch globally on Disney+ in summer 2027 while retaining its broadcast on Disney Channel in the US.
Disney has not yet announced a specific release date.
