Messi has been the face of Adidas since switching from Nike in 2006. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner holds a lifetime deal with the brand and features prominently in their advertisements and promotional campaigns.
He wears the F50 boots, and both he and Adidas recently launched the new ‘Triunfo Estelar’ collection, which translates to ‘Star Triumph.’ The boots, primarily white with accents of purple, black, and fluorescent yellow, were unveiled on October 10, now celebrated as ‘Messi Day.’
These cleats, which bear Messi’s name, honor the Argentine legend’s remarkable legacy and reference an iconic pair he wore in 2010. While Messi has already showcased them on the field with Inter Miami and Argentina, he has also allowed a select group of young talents to wear them.
In a promotional video, Messi revealed the exclusive list of players who will don the boots, including Barcelona and Spain prodigy Lamine Yamal, who was photographed with Messi as a baby.
Yamal, who wears Messi’s former No. 19 at Barcelona, has recently been announced as a signature Adidas player. Messi also selected his fellow Argentine Claudio Echeverri, who signed with Manchester City in January but is currently on loan at River Plate.
Additionally, two other Manchester City youngsters were included in the ‘Messi+10’ initiative: Joel Ndala and Cavan Sullivan. Ndala, an 18-year-old who was bought from Port Vale for £300,000 at just 10 years old, is now on loan at PSV Eindhoven. Meanwhile, 15-year-old Sullivan, the youngest player in MLS history, has a contract that ensures he will join City once he turns 18.
Playing for Philadelphia Union in MLS, Sullivan was recently photographed with Messi on the pitch after a match.
Additionally, Juventus’ rising star Kenan Yildiz, RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa and Assan Ouedraogo, and Monaco’s Eliesse Ben Seghir received Messi’s endorsement, along with female prospects Jaedyn Shaw and Vicky Lopez.
