Anatomy of a Fall's beloved canine star, Messi, stole the show as he was caught on camera 'clapping' for Robert Downey Jr. in a delightful display of support and adoration.
The talented dog, named Messi, became an internet sensation after a video of him 'clapping' for Robert Downey Jr. went viral.
Messi, who played the role of Snoop, a guide dog in the movie, captured hearts when he showed his support for Downey Jr. after he won the Best Supporting Actor award.
During the Oscars live broadcast, a video clip captured the adorable moment when Messi, the talented dog, seemed to clap using his fake paws.
It was a sweet and heartwarming way for Messi to show his appreciation for Robert Downey Jr.'s accomplishment.
Although it was later disclosed that the moment was planned with the use of two fake paws, it didn't dismiss the excitement of the social media users.
Ryan Gosling's big smile when he saw Messi added to the heartwarming atmosphere, generating lots of excitement among viewers.
Ryan Gosling, 43, couldn't hide his joy as he spotted Messi in his designated seat at the ceremony, sporting a stylish bow tie.
Messi's surprise appearance at the awards ceremony further boosted his growing popularity.
Initially, there were rumors that the French dog wouldn't be present. However, he finally managed to secure a seat next to his trainer and owner, Laura Martin.
This surprise appearance captivated audiences, who took to various social media platforms to express their joy and admiration for the furry star.
Many humorously suggested that Messi deserved his own award for Best Supporting Actor, while others simply reveled in the cuteness and charm he brought to the prestigious event.
The heartwarming interaction between Ryan Gosling and Messi also garnered significant attention, with viewers sharing clips of the actor's delighted reaction.
Anatomy of a Fall, the movie in which Messi stars, tells the story of Snoop, a guide dog owned by a blind character named Daniel.
Messi's portrayal of Snoop has touched hearts and captivated audiences, leading to his well-deserved moment in the spotlight at the Oscars.
Messi's role required him to skillfully portray being dead for several minutes, a task that his trainer, Laura, acknowledged as quite challenging.
In an interview with IndieWire, Laura shared that Messi underwent extensive training and preparation to master the ability to convincingly play dead.
They started by teaching Messi to lie down and keep his head still, gradually progressing to lifting and dropping it without resistance.
Following his impressive performance in the critically acclaimed film, Messi had the opportunity to mingle with A-list stars at the nominees' luncheon in Los Angeles.
Trainer Laura revealed that Messi shared a special connection with Billie Eilish, with the two bonding for nearly 10 minutes through hugs and petting.
Additionally, Bradley Cooper and Ryan Gosling also had heartwarming interactions with the talented pup.
While Messi didn't receive an Oscar nomination, he did receive recognition at the Cannes Film Festival, where he was honored with the unofficial Palm Dog award.
