Hit or miss? World Cup stars Salah, Pogba and Messi painted as historical leaders - in pictures

The art project 'Like the Gods' has opened in the Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts in St Petersburg, featuring work by Italian artist Fabrizio Birimbelli

Visitors speak in front of a portrait of Argentina's Lionel Messi at the Museum of Academy of Arts in St.Petersburg, Russia. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP Photo

Visitors speak in front of portrait of France's Antoine Griezmann at the Museum of Academy of Arts in St.Petersburg, Russia. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP Photo

Visitors examine a portrait of Egypt's Mohamed Salah at the Museum of Academy of Arts in St.Petersburg, Russia. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP Photo

A portrait of Argentina's Diego Maradona on display at the Art Project 'Like the Gods', presented by the Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts and Italian artist Fabrizio Birimbelli devoted to the FIFA World Cup of Russia 2018 in St. Petersburg, Russia. EPA

A visitor walks among portraits including France's Paul Pogba, left, at the Museum of Academy of Arts in St.Petersburg, Russia. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP Photo

Italian artist Fabrizio Birimbelli poses in front of a portrait of Italian player Francesco Totti during the Art Project 'Like the Gods', presented by the Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts and Birimbelli devoted to the FIFA World Cup of Russia 2018 in St. Petersburg, Russia. Anatoly Maltsev / EPA

A child walks in front of a portrait of Sir Alex Ferguson (L) and Portugal player Cristiano Ronaldo (R) as they attend during the Art Project 'Like the Gods', presented by the Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts and Birimbelli during the FIFA World Cup of Russia 2018 in Saint Petersburg. Olga Maltseva / AFP

Visitors speak in front of portrait of English football manager Frank Lampard at the Museum of Academy of Arts at an exhibition within the cultural programme at the World Cup in St.Petersburg, Russia. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP Photo

Italian artist Fabrizio Birimbelli poses in front of a portrait of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during the Art Project 'Like the Gods', presented by the Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts and Birimbelli during the FIFA World Cup of Russia 2018 in Saint Petersburg. Olga Maltseva / AFP

Visitors speak in front of portrait of Eric Cantona at the Museum of Academy of Arts in St.Petersburg, Russia. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP Photo

A visitor examines a portrait of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo at the Museum of Academy of Arts in St.Petersburg, Russia. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP Photo

Italian artist Fabrizio Birimbelli stands next to a portrait of Argentina's Lionel Messi drawn by him at the Museum of Academy of Arts in St.Petersburg, Russia. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP Photo

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