From the moment you’ve seen why Messi called Pessi, you’ve probably wondered: is this just social media trolling, or is there more behind the name? In this article, BraeckBall will walk you through the full story — the origin of “Pessi,” how it caught on, what Messi’s penalty record really looks like, and whether the nickname is fair or just another rival fan’s jibe.
What “Pessi” means and where it came from
“Pessi” is a portmanteau combining penalty + Messi. It started as a mockery — fans began calling Lionel Messi “Pessi” to highlight occasions when he missed penalties or to imply many of his goals come from spot-kicks rather than open play.
- The meme first gained traction around 2012, particularly during big Barcelona vs. Real Madrid matches.
- It wasn’t just the name: often paired with photos of Messi looking older, bald, toothless — exaggerated caricatures meant to poke fun.
- Over years, “Pessi” became part of football banter. Sometimes used humorously, sometimes more aggressively, always intended to provoke.
So, why Messi called Pessi — because it’s a trolling nickname tied to his penalty misses, used by rival fans to undermine or tease.
Messi’s penalty record: the facts
To assess how “deserved” the nickname is, here are the key statistics behind Messi’s penalty history. BraeckBall looked up the data to separate myth.
- Messi has attempted over 140 penalties in his senior career across clubs and country, scoring around 110–115 of them. That gives him a conversion rate in the high 70s percent — good, but not perfect.
- As of recent matches, he missed 30+ penalties in the 21st century, the most by any player in that span.
- Some misses have been especially costly or memorable: e.g. in the Champions League vs Real Madrid, especially a certain instance when Thibaut Courtois saved him.
- Conversely, Messi has also scored critical penalties under pressure — in finals, in shootouts (including his success in the 2022 World Cup shootout). These offset the criticism somewhat.
So: yes, Messi has missed some penalties — more than some fans might expect of a player of his stature — but he’s also scored many. Calling someone “Pessi” is more about teasing than full truth.
The spread of “Pessi” — memes, rivalry & culture
This nickname isn’t just a footnote — it’s become part of online football culture, for good and ill. BraeckBall traces how “Pessi” evolved.
Memetic life
- The term “Pessi” moved from forums like 4chan to social media (Twitter/X, TikTok, Reddit) as memes.
- Visual edits exaggerate Messi’s age or appearance to amplify the mocking tone. Baldness, wrinkles, missing teeth — all part of the meme design.
Rivalry fuel
- It’s deeply linked to the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry. As fans coined “Penaldo” to mock Ronaldo for relying on penalties, “Pessi” is the flip side — targeting Messi.
- During El Clásico matches, any penalty miss by Messi is magnified, repurposed in chants or social media threads.
Criticism & backlash
- Some argue the nickname is unfair and undermines his greatness — Messi’s open-play goals, assists, dribbles, influence go beyond just penalty stats.
- Messi himself has occasionally responded by letting his performance do the talking. Big wins, trophies, consistent high-level play dilute the sting of the nickname.
Does “Pessi” stick? Why the nickname persists
After all this, why is why Messi called Pessi still a question people ask? Because some aspects of it resonate:
- Selective memory: Fans highlight his misses, less so the goals he’s converted. Kind of an unfair scale, but part of how memes and insults survive.
- Humanizing a legend: Even the best players make mistakes. Penalty misses. Meme culture + social media echo: Once a nickname like “Pessi” is out there, it spreads — short, catchy, easy to reuse.
- Ongoing incidents: Every new miss — especially in high-pressure games — gives fuel for rivals to use “Pessi” again. For example, his failed Panenka penalty attempt in MLS recently got lots of attention.
Still, despite those slip-ups, Messi’s overall record is so strong — trophies, goals, influence — that the nickname rarely changes the narrative about how great he is.
Is the nickname fair?
This is where it gets opinionated, but fans often debate it. BraeckBall gives you pros and cons — then you decide.
Pros in critics’ favor:
- Statistical basis: He has missed enough penalties that mocking seems somewhat “justified” in a joking rivalry sense.
- Big moments magnify misses: Misses in big tournaments or shootouts are more memorable than scored goals in lesser games.
- Rival fan culture thrives on taunts: Name-calling is part of the territory in football; “Pessi” is one of many jabs.
Cons / what proponents say:
- Underplays his success: Messi has scored many more goals and has a high penalty conversion rate. Misses are inevitable.
- Skewed comparison: Looking only at misses ignores the difficulty, the pressure, and the volume of attempts.
- Legacy far bigger than memes: One nickname doesn’t erase World Cups, Ballon d’Ors, Champions Leagues, etc.
Key statistics to know
Here are hard facts to give context when “Pessi” comes up:
- Messi’s penalty conversion: ~78% (roughly 110+ scored from 140+ attempts).
- Missed penalties in the 21st century: 30 or more, highest among active and historical players in Europe in that period.
- High-profile misses: vs Real Madrid (Champions League, multiple times), Copa América shootouts, MLS Panenka attempt.
These numbers show that while Messi is extremely accomplished, penalty misses are enough in number and visibility to give rise to a meme like “Pessi.”
Conclusion
Why Messi called Pessi isn’t just because of one miss. It’s a blend of rivalry, meme culture, selective focus on failures, and high expectations. While the nickname comes, it sticks because penalty misses are rare (for Messi) but high-profile — they’re the kind of mistakes people remember.
If you’re a football fan, understanding this story helps you see how myths grow. Messi is still one of the game’s all-time greats; “Pessi” is more troll than truth.
