Lionel Messi shown as 'ISIS captive' in poster released by terror outfit

MOSCOW: A photo of iconic footballer Lionel Messi has been used by global terror outfit Islamic State, also known as ISIS, in a ‘propaganda poster’ that threatens terror at the Russia World Cup 2018.

Published by The Sun, the image is believed to have been released by pro-Isis mouthpiece and is said to be the latest in a series of sick messages aimed at football fans.

In the propaganda poster, Barcelona star Messi is seen kneeling down wearing an orange jumpsuit – similar to those worn by people held captive in ISIS execution videos.

A jihadi soldier stands next to him, holding his head up, in the photoshopped image. In the background, the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow is shown.

The newly built arena will host the opening game of the tournament, Russia versus Saudi Arabia as well as the semi-final and final of the World Cup in July.

In text alongside the image, a threat reads: ‘So strike them upon the necks and strike from them every fingertip.’ The official logo for the tournament has been altered to make it look like the world cup and the number eight in 2018 has been damaged.

The poster was shared by online jihadist tracking company SITE Intelligence Group. The terrorist group has made repeated threats against the summer games in Russia in retaliation for airstrikes in Syria that helped bring the terror regime to its knees.