Messi vs Ronaldo: The Ultimate Showdown Shifts to the World of Fragrance

�

The upcoming launch of Lionel Messi’s perfume will reignite the rivalry between the Argentine footballer and Cristiano Ronaldo.

After finally clinching the Copa America in 2021 and the 2022 World Cup, Lionel Messi is adding the final touch to his international superstar resume: a fragrance. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has recently signed a partnership with the Australian group Game One, known for its licenses in personal care and beauty products.

The company, which collaborates with the NFL and Premier League teams such as Liverpool and , will not only distribute a signature fragrance but also a complete line of products (shower gel, deodorant, etc.). This deal has been touted as “one of the largest celebrity perfume contracts in history” in a company statement.

The first-ever signature scent of Lionel Messi was introduced earlier this year at a trade show in Miami, with its worldwide launch expected soon. Housed in a V-shaped bottle, the Messi fragrance was crafted by Frank Voelkl. Renowned for his many creations for the rather niche brand Le Labo (Santal 33, Thé Noir 29, Ylang 49…), the perfumer is no stranger to designing footballer fragrances, having also created Signature Summer for Him (2011) for David Beckham.

The ingredients of this fragrance, which fans of the thirty-seven-year-old footballer will be eager to try, include classic masculine notes such as lavender and patchouli, as well as vanilla. “The fragrance features fresh notes like cardamom and cypress, contrasted by a leather accord and cedar,” the perfumer from dsm-firmenich explained during the scent’s presentation earlier this year.

“It’s a scent for anyone who wants to feel confident and strong, just like Messi.” Already available on the Messi Fragrances website, this perfume is set to be widely distributed across the globe and in Europe before the end of the year, with a price tag of €69.95 for 100ml.

Of course, Lionel Messi is not the first athlete to launch a fragrance. Michael Jordan, Michael Schumacher, Boris Becker, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have all introduced such products at various points in their careers. In addition to his clothing line, Björn Borg even offered a complete range of perfumes in the early 2010s. However, the athlete who has developed the most extensive range of fragrances in recent years is none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s eternal rival.

While the allure of sport-themed perfumes often stems more from the celebrity’s personality than the nature of the fragrance, Ronaldo’s brand has rolled out a broad range featuring no less than eight diverse creations across his two collections, CR7 and Legacy. Thus, for now, Cristiano Ronaldo holds a significant lead over Lionel Messi in the fragrance sector. It remains to be seen what Game One and the Argentine have in store for the coming years.