Throughout Lionel Messi’s career, his relationship with adidas has been a near-constant. The Argentine has been with the Three Stripes since he was a teenager, and launched a number of exclusive boots with the brand. His various adidas releases have celebrated everything from Ballon d’Or wins to the birth of his children.
It wasn’t always like this, though.
Before he signed with adidas, Messi made his first steps in professional football wearing the Nike Swoosh. Even as a teenager, the hype was evident, leading to a court case and an eventual move to adidas.
More than 15 years later, he’s committed to a lifetime deal with the brand.
From his Nike roots to his own adidas line, this is how Messi’s boots have evolved through the course of his career…
GettyNike T-90
When Messi burst onto the scene as a precocious teenager he wore one of Nike’s most famous boots ever. For some matches in his debut Barcelona season, which ended with the U20 World Cup in 2005 – he scored six as Argentina won their fifth title – Messi wore the classic black and white Nike Tiempo. For some of his stand-out early performances, Messi moved on to Nike’s Total 90 line, following in the footsteps of teammate and idol Ronaldinho.
AdvertisementGettyF30 TUNiT
By 2006, adidas had gazumped Nike and signed Messi to a long-term endorsement deal. Throughout that year, he tended towards the F30 model, ignoring adidas’ top-of-the-range F50 line. Messi’s early adidas boots included the F30 TUNiT during a breakout season that included his first Champions League winner’s medal and his first World Cup.
GettyF50i
The F50i instantly became a classic due to a single moment in the 2009 Champions League final. Messi, looking resplendent in Barcelona’s half-and-half kit, leapt to head home a Xavi cross. As he landed, his right boot – a bright blue F50i – came off. Messi didn’t stop to put the boot back on before celebrating, holding it aloft and kissing it as he ran towards the waiting cameras.
GettyF50 adizero
As the 2000s turned into the 2010s, Messi began wearing the F50 adizero. His relationship with the boot lasted for a long time, and covered some major events, all of which were celebrated with special-edition pairs. 2012 was a bumper year, with special pairs marking his 90 goal record, three Ballon d’Or wins and the birth of his son Thiago. adidas continued the special designs, with one highlight being a birthday pair as Messi turned 27 during the 2014 World Cup.