Hollywood preparing film about Lionel Messi

Los Angeles, May 9 (IANS/EFE) Epic Pictures Group is preparing a film about the life of Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi that is set to debut at theaters coinciding with the start of the 2014 World Cup, the digital edition of Variety reported Wednesday.

The film, which will be in the style of "Rocky", according to the publication, will be based on the biography "Messi: The Inside Story of the Boy Who Became a Legend", by Luca Caioli. Epic will undertake to finance and produce the film.

Epic's chiefs, Patrick Ewald and Shaked Berenson, are currently negotiating with scriptwriters and directors to take the reins of the project.

Messi, 25, who plays for FC Barcelona and the Argentine national team, is considered to be the best soccer player in the world at present.

In January, he made history by becoming the first soccer player to win FIFA's Ballon d'Or prize for the fourth consecutive time.

The producers are intending to focus the story on Messi's childhood, his humble beginnings and how he overcame his physical disadvantages, especially his 5-foot-7-inch height, to become one of the best players of all time.

"The goal is to make a powerful and positive film that will leave audiences feeling inspired to go after their dreams no matter how impossible they may seem," Ewald said.

--IANS/EFE

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