Lionel Messi. Pic: Christopher Johnson

The world’s best footballer is to take on the aliens responsible for last month’s invasion of Hackney Marshes.

It was revealed yesterday that the “alien invasion” of Hackney Marshes on October 21 was part of a global advertising campaign for mobile telephone company Samsung.

Until now the 20-foot high giant footballs and large painted symbols that had appeared at the spiritual home of Sunday League football had remained a mystery.

But Hackney residents can finally rest easy in the knowledge the Barcelona superstar will be protecting the world from the alien invaders, after Samsung posted a video online starring Messi and carrying the slogan ‘Football will save the planet.’

It is thought Messi, and other football stars will take on the aliens in a “Winner takes Earth” football match. Cryptic messages have also appeared in New York and Rio De Janiero, the city that will host next year’s World Cup final.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6XKanoEEAs