Entertainment
Messi and Bad Bunny Team Up for Iconic Adidas Collab: A Fusion of Sports, Music, and Latin Heritage
Lionel Messi, fresh off a historic season with Inter Miami, has teamed up with Latin music superstar Bad Bunny for a highly anticipated Adidas collaboration. The “Bad Bunny & Messi Collection” features the iconic Adidas Gazelle sneaker, originally launched in 1966, and the F50 cleat, worn by Messi throughout his legendary career.
Speaking to ESPN, Messi expressed excitement about working with Bad Bunny, whose music he’s long admired. “We’ve been following him for a while, and his songs are always on our playlists,” Messi shared. The World Cup champion also emphasized the strong connection they share through their Latin roots, saying, “The Latin community is incredibly important to both of us. It’s a bond of language, culture, and shared experiences.”
Bad Bunny, fresh off multiple wins at the Billboard Latin Music Awards, described collaborating with Messi as a “dream come true,” citing Messi’s dedication and humility as key sources of inspiration. “I’ve always admired Messi—not just his talent, but his work ethic and focus. It’s something I try to emulate in my own career,” Bad Bunny said.
The collaboration pays homage to both stars’ personal styles and cultural heritage. Unique details in the collection include “Benito” and “Leo” signatures on the Adidas Gazelle instead of their stage names, a golden sole on the F50 cleat to honor Messi’s eight Ballon d’Ors, and nods to their Latin roots with Puerto Rican and Argentine flags on the shoes.
Adidas design director Rafael Mayorga revealed that Bad Bunny explored the brand’s archives to draw inspiration for the collection, ensuring it stayed true to their personal style while being relevant for fans. “We wanted something authentic and reflective of how sport and music come together,” Bad Bunny noted.
Messi wore the new cleats during Inter Miami’s recent match against New England Revolution, where he scored a hat-trick, adding even more excitement to the upcoming launch. As Inter Miami gears up for the MLS playoffs, Messi expressed his hopes for the team’s success, stating, “We’re excited to keep winning titles.”
The Messi x Bad Bunny collection will be available this Saturday, celebrating not only two global icons but also their shared Latin heritage and influence on fans worldwide.