If you've ever been on soccer social media, you've likely heard the term "Ankara Messi. The meme is usually accompanied by footage of Lionel Messi dribbling past defenders, and fans are left wondering if “Ankara” is a nickname, a skill move, or something else entirely.
In fact, the term is not related to the capital of Turkey. Rather, it is a quote from one of the most memorable soccer broadcasts ever.
Where Did 'Ankara Messi' Meme Come From?
The meme goes back to Messi's iconic solo goal in the Copa del Rey semi against Getafe on April 18, 2007. The then-19-year-old Barcelona forward played through his own half, past several defenders, and then beat the keeper and scored a goal that was likened to Diego Maradona's "Goal of the Century" at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
The viral phrase is from Spanish commentator Joaquín María Puyal's live call of the goal. Puyal kept yelling "¡Arranca Messi!" ("Messi takes off" or "Messi is off on a run" in Spanish) as Messi beat down several defenders.
Due to Puyal's Catalan accent and the fast speed of the commentary, many international viewers misheard "Arranca" as "Ankara. As time went on, the internet users took to the wrong pronunciation, and "Ankara Messi" became one of the most popular soccer memes.
Why the Meme Is Still Popular
Today, "Ankara Messi" is still in use whenever Messi has one of his trademark dribbling runs, almost 20 years later. The phrase is often used by fans with clips of the Argentine dribbling past defenders for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami or Argentina.
The meme has also gone beyond Messi. When a player makes a great solo run, soccer fans sometimes refer to the player as "Ankara" before his name, in reference to the original commentary, and in the process, making new internet jokes.
Reuters - Brett Davis
Although it is popular, “Ankara Messi” is not an official nickname. It's just a result of a great commentary call that was misinterpreted by millions of fans who don't speak Spanish.
