Messi doc to open LA-based film festival

Eponymous film traces the soccer great's rise to fame

Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi.

Argentina's greatest export since Jorge Luis Borges is the subject of a documentary that will kick off the Guadalajara International Film Festival in Los Angeles [FICG in LA], organizers have announced.

Messi, a profile of the footballer Lionel Messi -- considered by many to be the game's greatest player--  makes its Los Angeles debut at the festival on August 28th.

This film tells the incredible, true story of Messi's rise to glory.

         --FICG in LA festival

Spanish-born filmmaker Àlex de la Iglesia directed the documentary, which has played at festivals around the world including the Seattle International Film Festival in May. 

Messi opened in theaters in Spain earlier in the year. The soccer star plays for the Barcelona Football Club, where he draws one of the highest salaries of any professional athlete in the world.

Messi contains re-enactments and interviews with companions and coaches who saw him develop as a player in his native Rosario, Argentina. It also features "spectacular footage of Messi's legendary exploits," according to a press release.

The Guadalajara International Film Festival in Los Angeles, which runs from August 27-30, will showcase 13 feature and documentary films, along with 12 shorts.

The purpose of the festival, now in its fifth year, "is to increase access and visibility of Mexican and Latin American cinema in the US," organizers said.

A still from the documentary "Messi," directed by Àlex de la Iglesia. Photo courtesy Mediapro/FICG in LA

Messi, @Cristiano, @LuisSuarez9. We have our final three! Who should win the 2014/15 #UEFABestPlayer? pic.twitter.com/7iA8SdhuKj

— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 12, 2015

4th title of the year for Leo Messi. Another step towards winning everything. #BeTheDifference pic.twitter.com/cLq9y4OV9x

— Team Messi (@TeamMessi) August 11, 2015

Why Lionel Messi's salary is thoroughly well-earned and completely justified - Sportskeeda: Sport... http://t.co/f6CiIV2T9P lionel messi

— Lionel_Messi (@Lionel_Messi) August 13, 2015