​Not all football memes celebrate breathtaking goals or unforgettable matches. Some memes stem from fan rivalries, conspiracy theories, and years of online disputes. A prominent example from recent years is the nickname “FIFA’s Princess,” which has become a common way for rival supporters to mock Lionel Messi, the Argentinian soccer superstar. Known in memes as the “Lionel Messi FIFA Princess,” the joke casts Messi as FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s favorite player, often depicted in AI-generated images and edits wearing pink princess gowns, crowns, and tiaras.
So, where did the nickname originate, and why did it gain traction during the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Here’s how it unfolded. The “FIFA’s Princess” label first appeared during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as rival fans accused FIFA of favoring Messi and Argentina throughout the tournament. Following Argentina’s victory in Qatar, online conspiracy theories about biased refereeing and preferential treatment grew more common, as critics vented their frustration with the tournament’s outcome. In this climate, some viewers began sarcastically referring to Messi as “FIFA’s Princess,” insinuating that he received special treatment from FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino.
The earliest known uses of the nickname surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) in December 2022, near the end of the event, though many of those initial posts have since been deleted or obscured by time. One of the earliest documented examples was a December 9, 2022 tweet claiming that Messi avoided punishment because he was “FIFA’s princess.” Similar posts continued to appear throughout 2023 on Facebook, X, and other platforms as debates about the 2022 World Cup persisted online. The meme typically shows Messi dressed in pink princess gowns, tiaras, or other fairy-tale attire, with Infantino depicted as showering him with praise or affection. Many variations also rely on AI-generated images and videos to amplify the joke, often placing the two together in deliberately over-the-top scenarios and interactions.
The nickname kept spreading into 2025, as fans referenced it in discussions about Messi’s performances, awards, and club matches. AI-created edits imagining Messi as a literal princess also grew in popularity, expanding the joke beyond simple text posts. The meme saw another major surge during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as controversial refereeing decisions involving Argentina again sparked accusations of favoritism. Each disputed penalty, foul, or VAR ruling prompted new waves of posts calling Messi “FIFA’s Princess” and depicting him wearing crowns, dresses, or other royal regalia. At the same time, Messi supporters pushed back with their own counter-memes.