On October 21, Adidas announced a partnership between soccer legend Lionel Messi and world-renowned musician and performer Bad Bunny. The collection dropped in all Adidas stores on October 26.
The superstars wanted to cement their legacy in their respective industries while celebrating the connection between music and soccer. Messi and Bad Bunny were already Adidas ambassadors, and the company likely wanted to solidify its role in South American and world culture.
Both individuals admire each other due to their work in their respective fields. Bad Bunny has long admired Messi, and he has also referenced the soccer star in his music, including five mentions on his latest album. Messi has also expressed his love for the performer, mentioning that he has at least seven songs in his pre-game and favorites playlists.
The collection is inspired by Adidas’ previous colorful and powerful models, along with materials from its huge brand archive. It contains two of Adidas’ most popular items, the Gazelles and the F50 cleats. The Gazelles have recently risen in popularity, going from being worn in indoor soccer gyms to becoming everyday footwear for all. This style is also one of Bad Bunny’s favorite shoes. The icon himself has worn the F50s throughout his whole career, and many fans have declared them to be the best cleats of all time.
Each item in the collection consists of a mix of beige, blue, brown, pink and purple colors. Each piece is attributed to individual achievements honoring Messi and his iconic status as one of the best soccer players. The items include intricate details, such as gold hues inspired by unique trophies and an X on the back heel, representing Messi’s number 10 jersey.
The collection features Bad Bunny and Messi’s signatures, along with the iconic Adidas stripes. The shoes also include “Bad Bunny Para Messi” written on the tongue. Both the performer and the player have expressed dedication to their communities by being involved in numerous campaigns over the years through Adidas. Most recently, Messi has been playing in Miami in the MLS, and Bad Bunny has been rumored to be working on a new album.
