Breaking: Messi has made it the Oscars, after all!

Breaking dog news, everyone: Messi, the canine star of Anatomy of a Fall will in fact be at this year’s Academy Awards. Not only that, he is currently seated inside the Dolby Theater.

The news comes after significant blowback online when it was reported that Messi would not be allowed to attend the event. Reportedly, several studios complained when Messi was present at the Oscars luncheon for nominees that having an adorable, talented pup would sway attention away from the ceremony, the nominees, and generally be disruptive.

Counterpoint: Messi is adorable, and those studio heads are horrible people.

Now, #JusticeForMessi has prevailed, and he is ready to go. Not only that, host Jimmy Kimmel posted a bit on Instagram with Messi where he was running potential jokes by the dog. Messi looked, frankly, unimpressed.

If you haven’t seen Anatomy of a Fall yet, Messi stars as Snoop, the faithful canine companion of Daniel, a blind boy at the center of a contentious court case. As we’ve already argued here on Dog o’Day, not only is Messi fantastic in the movie, it’s easily one of the best performances of the year. And frankly, Messi shouldn’t just be allowed to be in the audience at the Oscars, he should be up for Best Supporting Actor along with Robert Downey Jr., Sterling K. Brown and the rest.

And I know we’re biased here on this dog focused site, but he should win, too.

Regardless of that far-out outcome (do the Oscars do write-in votes?), Messi is in the house, and ready to steal hearts all over the globe. All is, once again, right in the world. As they say, every dog has his day, and this day belongs to Messi.