Lionel Messi 'has Adidas ad body double'

Lionel Messi's body double in an Adidas advert has opened up about filming the commercial.

Hussain Isa, 22, covered for the Barcelona star when Messi was unavailable because of his busy domestic and European schedule.

The advertisement shows Messi facing the Spanish international team on his own, and the Argentinian's head was digitally added to Isa's footage in post-production.

Isa, a primary school sports teacher and semi-professional footballer, told The Sun: "It makes me smile that billions around the world think it's Messi when it's actually me - a normal bloke from Essex."

Isa, who spent three days filming a variety of tricks for the commercial, explained that a friend suggested he should apply for the role.

He added: "I play for Canvey Island Football Club, and one of my friends from Canvey Island has been doing Ronaldo's stunt double - lookalike - when he was at Manchester United... He said, 'Why don't you come to a casting? You never know what might happen!'

"I've followed Messi all my life, and to be offered to do something like this is just overwhelming really. I was really happy and proud."