Messi’s last name has become its own word, a synonym for greatness”- Bad Bunny praises footballer Messi while announcing a surprise collaboration 

Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio aka Bad Bunny has collaborated with football legend, Lionel Messi, and Adidas Originals to launch a sneaker collection.

The first-of-its-kind collaboration between the superstars was announced by Adidas on October 21, 2024, via a press release. The collaboration, which is set to be launched on October 26, 2024, pays homage to the intersection between music and sports whilst celebrating the impacts of the three-time Grammy Award winner and the eight-time Ballon d'or winner, in their respective fields.

The superstars have a mutual respect for each other (Image via Instagram/@adidasfootball)

Bad Bunny, who has referenced Messi on several occasions in his music, in a statement through Adidas, expressed his admiration for the Argentinian football star, saying:

"Messi's last name has become its own word, a synonym for greatness, courage, and heart. Watching him play with the passion he does is a privilege."

The artist noted that he was similar to Messi in the way they loved their countries and careers, adding:

"I compare the love he feels for his country and his sport to the love I feel for music and Puerto Rico. Collaborating with him is an honor that so many people dream of and I never even imagined I could achieve it. Today, I feel so grateful to be able to represent our culture with the GOAT."

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Messi says that Bad Bunny is never missing from his playlist as Adidas reveals sneaker silhouettes for the collaboration

The 37-year-old player in his statement in the Adidas press release, expressed that the collaboration was in honor of his and the rapper's fans and in appreciation for their support for him through the years.

Both artists have mutual admiration for each other as Messi revealed his love for Bad Bunny’s music:

"Music is connected to many aspects of my life, and Bad Bunny is an artist who is never missing from my playlist.”

The collection’s designs, as revealed by Adidas, are inspired by Adidas’s archives of celebrated silhouettes. The collection features reiterations of the Adidas Gazelle and the Adidas F50 cleat.

Messi’s favorite, the F50, has been worn throughout the athlete’s career and is regarded as one of the best football cleats ever created and the Gazelle, a favorite of the Puerto Rican rapper’s, has evolved from an indoor soccer essential to become a streetwear staple.

The collection’s models are marked by golden designs paying homage to the trophies won by Messi in the course of his career. The X stripe heel on the shoes also references the legendary number 10 on Messi’s jersey.

The sneakers also feature signatures of Messi and the Monaco hitmaker on their stripes (Image via Instagram/@adidasfootball)

The Gazelle and F50 models also feature signatures of the Monaco hitmaker and the 2022 World Cup champion on their stripes and the inscription of “Bad Bunny Para Messi” on their tongues.

The collection is set to launch alongside a campaign that Adidas describes as an honor to the millions of Bad Bunny and Messi fans who have supported them through social media and other means, through the years. The campaign will feature a letter drawn up from the messages of fans read by the award-winning artist and Argentine legend.

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According to Adidas:

"With a focus on creativity and excellence, this collection redefines the interplay between soccer and music, creating a moment that will resonate far beyond the worlds of sport and entertainment."