We all know that the Oscars is a night filled with glitz, glamour, and incredible performances. But this year, there was one performer who stole the show and captured the hearts of the audience – Messi, the dog from Anatomy of a Fall.

During his opening monologue, Jimmy Kimmel took a moment to acknowledge Messi’s incredible talent. He joked about other nominee Robert Downey Jr. and his role in “The Shaggy Dog,” suggesting Messi would be the perfect replacement. The camera then panned to Messi, who was seated in the audience, and Kimmel praised him for giving the “performance of the year” in Anatomy of a Fall.

In the film, Messi’s character, named Snoop, has a powerful scene that left a lasting impression on viewers and critics alike. Despite not receiving a nomination for his performance, Messi has been a star throughout the awards season. He even won the Palm Dog Award at the Cannes Film Festival last year.

Messi attended the Oscars luncheon earlier this year, where he had the chance to meet other celebrities and Oscar nominees. He made quite an impression on stars like Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper.

Just hours before the show started, Kimmel shared a video on Instagram of him rehearsing his jokes with Messi. The dog’s trainer mentioned that Messi had to undergo extensive training to perform in the film. Even the simplest actions required a lot of work.

So, while Messi may not have been nominated for an Oscar, his talent and charm have made him a true breakout star of the awards season. The audience was captivated by his performance and his adorable presence at the Oscars.

The 96th Academy Awards was a night to remember, and Messi’s performance will go down in history as one of the highlights. We can’t wait to see what this talented dog does next!