Lionel Messi Head & Shoulders Ad Misses The Mark With World Cup Fans

Lionel Messi may be one of the best footballers in the world but even he can't keep dandruff at bay. Or at least so one would be led to believe after watching the Head & Shoulders commercial featuring the famous striker that aired during Sunday night's match between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Messi's Argentine squad.

The Proctor & Gamble dandruff shampoo is a popular brand, and the FC Barcelona star is just one in a long line-up of sports figures to do advertisements for the company, including big names like Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps of America and Pittsburgh Steelers star defender Troy Polamalu.

But that didn't stop fans from taking to social media Sunday after Messi's ad ran. Some joked about the partnerhsip:

Messi plays with 100% flake free hair.
- gaвrιella. (@GabriellaArcee) June 15, 2014

It’s good to know that Messi uses Head & Shoulders. I mean, can you even imagine suffering the indignity of dandruff during the World Cup?
-- Chris Gorski (@gorskic) June 15, 2014

The ad is just the latest in a string of commercials Messi -- who makes about $20 million each year from all his various promotional deals -- has done for the dandruff shampoo company since the two signed a commercial deal in July 2012, but many fans went even further, directly criticizing Messi's footbal skills and accusing him of "selling out":

Messi rlly did a head and shoulders advert. What a sell out lol
-- Lou Moffa (@the_mastermind1) June 15, 2014

Cristiano Ronalda is head and shoulders above Messi Literally and Figuratively
-- Mr Man-Like (@travisjayent) June 15, 2014

Not everyone hated the ad, though, and a few fans even tweeted words of admiration for the spot:

S/o to #Messi for an impressive Head & Shoulders commercial. I see u bro
-- Ja'Michael (@U_Trash) June 15, 2014

#messi in a head and shoulders ad, I've bought h&s in both Argentina and Barcelona. Guess the ad works.
— logiclust (@logiclust) June 15, 2014

No matter what anyone thinks of the commercial and Messi's involvement in it, it got people talking, and that's exactly what effective advertising is supposed to do.

Press play below to check out one of the Messi-Head & Shoulders ads that was released last month:

Argentina Lionel Messi