Inspiration

This personal project combines my animation and character modeling expertise to create a stylized 3D model of Lionel Messi's iconic goal celebration, where he points to the sky. I aimed to capture the essence of his celebration and presence on the field in an imaginative way. Messi’s agility, vision, and mastery of the game have made him a global icon. Through this stylized model, I sought to emphasize the traits that define him, both physically and symbolically. This creative approach allowed me to explore his personality in a more abstract, artistic form, highlighting his energy and dynamism.

Messi represents the pinnacle of excellence, dedication, and passion in soccer, and his journey from a young talent in Argentina to an international legend mirrors the perseverance and creativity that resonate with me as a 3D artist. His precision and ability to overcome challenges reflect the craftsmanship and attention to detail I strive for in my own work. In this model, I aimed not only to capture his likeness but also to convey the spirit of determination and greatness that defines him, blending realism with artistic exaggeration to create a tribute as dynamic and inspiring as his legacy.

Wireframe

At this stage, I focused on refining the form and proportions, ensuring the geometry and topology were accurate before moving on to details, textures, or shading.

Ambient Occlusion (AO)

After finalizing the topology, pose, and form of my model, I rendered an ambient occlusion (AO) pass to enhance its realism. My aim was to generate soft, natural shadows in areas like corners, creases, and intersections, adding greater depth and dimension to the model. By carefully adjusting the AO settings, I introduced subtle contrasts in the lighting, which enriched the scene with a more immersive, lifelike quality, ultimately leading to a more visually captivating final render.

UV mapping

At this stage, I was ready to begin UV mapping Messi’s kit (full uniform). I chose the 2019-2020 home kit and paired it with pink cleats to add a touch of contrast. Some elements of the uniform were recreated in Illustrator to ensure accurate detailing before being applied to the 3D model.

Rendering

After applying the uniform and fine-tuning the settings, I added a basic skin shader to the entire model, aiming for a stylized, cartoony look. For the scene and background, I chose to incorporate FC Barcelona's signature colors, focusing on the deep red or garnet to tie the design together. Once I was satisfied with the final appearance, I initiated the rendering process.

Final Render

For the final render, I envisioned Messi on the soccer field at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, performing his iconic goal celebration under the focus of spotlights.

Presentation

For the video and presentation, I designed a platform with grass and soil to enhance the overall aesthetic. I’m really pleased with how it turned out—I had a lot of fun and learned so much throughout the process. I hope you enjoyed following along.

Thanks for watching!