Damson Idris might be starring in a Formula 1 movie now, but his first dream had nothing to do with acting or racing.
Before Hollywood came calling, Idris was chasing a completely different career path, one that many kids around the world grow up dreaming about.
But that dream came to a sudden and unexpected end, and it all came down to one player.
Damson Idris reveals Lionel Messi ended his football dream
Speaking with AP, Idris opened up about the exact moment he realized his football ambitions were not going to work out.
“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.
It is a brutally honest admission, but also one that many aspiring players can relate to. Watching Messi at his peak has had that effect on more than just defenders.
For Idris, it was not just admiration. It was a moment of clarity that forced him to rethink his entire future.
Why Lionel Messi still shapes Damson Idris’ perspective
The impact of that realization has clearly stayed with him, even as his career took a completely different direction.
“So, Lionel Messi is the reason for my retirement in football. When I see him one day, hopefully I’m blessed to meet him, I’m going to tell him that he’s the reason why I quit football, because he was so good,” he concluded.
It is a statement that blends humor with genuine respect. Messi’s level was not just elite, it was untouchable for someone like Idris at that stage.
In a way, that moment redirected everything. Instead of continuing down a path that had a clear ceiling, Idris pivoted into acting, where he has gone on to build a successful career.
Looking back, Messi did not just end one dream. He indirectly helped start another.
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