Fans debate if video of Lionel Messi hitting three successive balls into a bin from distance is real

Fans have been left split after a video posted on Lionel Messi’s Instagram account appeared to show him hit three balls into a bin from various distances.

The 34-year-old Argentina star was promoting his new adidas ‘Diamond Edge’ boots -which he said in the caption of the Instagram post were ‘feeling good’ – during the video.

In the clip, Messi is seen hitting three balls perfectly with his left foot into a bin located some distance away, and even did some keepy-uppies before hitting the target with the second one.

Lionel Messi’s posted a video appearing to show him hit three balls into a bin from distance

The 34-year-old Argentina star was promoting his new adidas ‘Diamond Edge’ boots

After putting the balls perfectly into the bin Messi smiled and gave a thumb up to the camera

He then smiles towards the camera and gives a thumb up after finding the target with the third. But fans have been left questioning the authenticity of the video of the Paris Saint-Germain forward’s sensational skill.

Some Twitter users have backed Messi’s video as being genuine, with one tweeting: ‘Beautiful stuff only’, while another added: ‘Bruhhhhh…. This guy is football himself.’

Others were also simply in awe of the former Barcelona star, describing him as an ‘alien’ and being ‘the goat’ and the ‘best to ever do it’.

However, others were less convinced, with odd adding: ‘He’s great but the video is fake.’

There were other users who agreed, insisting the clip is ‘obviously fake’ because it is an advert for German sportswear manufacturer adidas.

Another claimed it had been clearly edited, while another claimed it was ‘as fake as [David] Beckham’s.’

It was a reference to a video that went viral of the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and England star smashing three footballs into bins placed handily along a beach in Santa Monica, Los Angeles.

The video, just over one minute long, was shot in a 2011 filming of a Pepsi advert and was uploaded onto YouTube by Pepsi.

Beckham is seen sipping a can of the soft drink throughout, but viewers also questioned the authenticity of that video at the time.

The video also reminded many of Ronaldinho’s infamous crossbar challenge which the Brazilian filmed for Nike. The video of the ex-Barcelona star was the first to ever reach one million views on YouTube.

Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has been contracted to adidas since 2006.

In 2017, he signed the biggest endorsement deal he currently has in the form of a lifetime contract with adidas, that is understood to pay him £9million each year.

Adidas have also made him the face of their company – and seven years ago he was the first footballer to release a sub-brand of adidas boots – the adidas Messi.

Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has been contracted to adidas since 2006