Damson Idris has revealed the exact moment he knew his dreams of becoming a soccer star weren’t going to work out… and it came while watching Lionel Messi do what he does best.
The British star, who once seriously considered a future in the sport, admitted that seeing Messi’s level firsthand forced a reality check he couldn’t ignore. Rather than chase a dream he felt he couldn’t match, Idris made the difficult call to walk away.
That decision ultimately paved the way for his rise in Hollywood and, more recently, his growing ties to the world of Formula 1.
Long before he found fame on screen, Idris had his sights set on becoming a professional soccer player. He was fully committed to the path, training and playing through his teenage years, until one moment changed everything.
Speaking with AP, the 34-year-old actor revealed that watching Lionel Messi in his early 20s forced a reality check he couldn’t ignore. Faced with the Argentine star’s extraordinary level, Idris said he quickly realized he wasn’t going to match it and made the call to walk away from the sport.
“I wanted to be a footballer. I played up until the age of 18, and then I remember seeing Lionel Messi play. He was around 23 years old. And I was like, ‘I’m never going to be as good as this guy,’” Idris said, via CentreGoals on X.
Fans Cast Doubt On Idris’ Messi Claim
The comments section wasn’t exactly sympathetic to Idris’ reasoning, with several fans pushing back on the idea that watching Lionel Messi could be enough to abandon a lifelong dream.
“He actually wanted to play pro football, but this dumb reason can’t be why it didn’t happen,” one X user wrote, while another added, “Well, that’s a d*mb decision and we ain’t buying it.”
Others questioned the logic behind his takeaway, arguing that Messi’s greatness should have been a source of motivation rather than discouragement. “Isn’t Lionel Messi supposed to be the reason you’re inspired to play football and not the other way around?” one person asked.
Damson Idris Named F1 Global Ambassador
Despite falling short of his football ambitions, Idris is carving out a growing presence in the world of Formula 1. The actor was recently named a global ambassador for the sport, further cementing his ties to F1 following his on-screen role.
Idris helped usher in the new Formula 1 season by appearing in the “All To Drive For” campaign alongside all 22 drivers, positioning him at the center of the sport’s global push to expand its audience.
The British star also took his connection to F1 to the big screen, starring opposite Brad Pitt in the film “F1: The Movie.”
According to Variety, the film grossed over $630 million at the box office, making it the most successful sports movie of all time.
F1 CEO Praises Idris’ Appointment
Formula 1 leadership has made it clear they see Idris as more than just a celebrity face for the sport.
Speaking on the appointment, Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula One Group, welcomed Idris into the fold and pointed to his growing influence as a key reason behind the decision.
“I’m delighted to welcome Damson Idris officially to the Formula 1 family. Following his starring role in ‘F1: The Movie,’ which made history at the box office and helped bring our sport to new audiences, he is joining us as an official Global Brand Ambassador,” Domenicali said in a statement.
On his part, Idris said stepping into the role carries real meaning for him. While he already respected Formula One, the actor admitted that getting a behind-the-scenes look at the sport gave him an even deeper appreciation for what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Damson Idris Has Other Ventures Beyond F1
Away from the world of sport, Idris has been quietly building a diverse portfolio across business and entertainment.
The actor has stepped into design with his luxury jewelry house, Didris, a venture inspired by his mother and rooted in personal storytelling. At the same time, he continues to solidify his reputation on screen, with standout roles in projects like “Snowfall,” “Outside the Wire,” and “Farming.”