lion lionel messi viral video soccer

Soccer star Lionel Messi has been likened to a lion. But he might not be the only ‘big cat’ who loves the beautiful game… Images via Twitter @ADS_Safaris and @FCBarcelonaHome

‘Tjop met skop?’ There’s a lion next to my soccer pitch [watch]

Mane attraction: Step aside, ‘Lion King’ Lionel Messi! Things could easily have become rather messy if this male lion ventured onto the soccer pitch.

lion lionel messi viral video soccer

Soccer star Lionel Messi has been likened to a lion. But he might not be the only ‘big cat’ who loves the beautiful game… Images via Twitter @ADS_Safaris and @FCBarcelonaHome

Argentinian soccer legend Lionel Messi might be the “Lion King” on the field, but a recent video taken somewhere in “deepest, darkest Africa” features the real McCoy with an intent interest in the beautiful game…or its players.

Roaring time: Wild lion watches soccer game…

A video clip of a lion watching a soccer game – and its players – has been doing the rounds. Image: Adobe Stock

The clip shows a group of people playing on a makeshift soccer pitch, but when the cameraman pans to the side of the road, an unexpected spectator comes into view.

According to Jacaranda FM, the video was shared on the Instagram page @hunting_and_wildlife_breeding. The group share wildlife videos from across Africa, but there has been no confirmation yet about where exactly this video was filmed.

There has also not been any confirmation as to whether the lion’s main focus was on the football action or the unsuspecting players who could easily have turned into a “tjop met skop”!

Take a look…

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‘All you can eat for Simba’

Followers of the Instagram account were quick to weigh in with some humorous comments.

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Big cats show off ball skills in World Cup ad

Lion Whisperer Kevin Richardson plays football with lions on his game reserve in this World Cup ad for Van Gils clothing. Image: YouTube/Van Gils

In 2014, South African Kevin Richardson, also known as the “Lion Whisperer”, teamed up with the Dutch national team and Van Gils clothing ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

In the advertisement, he is all dressed up in a snazzy Van Gils suit and tie while he plays soccer with some of the lions on his game reserve.  

ALSO READ: Viral Video: Surprising footage shows hippopotamus chasing 3 lions