The Turkish Airlines spot, titled Legends on Board, placed Messi and Bryant on the same flight competing for the attention of a young passenger. Messi used his soccer skills, Bryant showed off his basketball moves, and the child ended up more interested in ice cream than either superstar.
The ad became a huge viral hit after its release. It passed 100 million views on YouTube and helped turn the Messi and Bryant pairing into one of the most recognizable athlete commercials of that era.
At the time, both were near the top of their sports. Messi was coming off a historic 2012, when he scored 91 goals in a calendar year. Bryant was still one of the biggest names in the NBA and one of the most famous athletes in the world.
The clip feels different today. Bryant died in 2020, while Messi is still playing for Argentina in what could be his final World Cup. That contrast has helped the commercial circulate again among fans who remember seeing both legends together on screen.
For many viewers, the ad is no longer just a commercial. It is a rare clip of Messi and Bryant, two global icons from different sports, sharing the same moment.
