Adidas are set to combine one of their most iconic sneaker silhouettes with arguably their greatest signature athlete, in the upcoming Lionel Messi x Adidas Sambas.
Paying homage to the Argentinian legend and capitalising off the back of a relatively recent eighth Ballon d’Or, Adidas are rumoured to have created a collaboration shoe between Messi and the Samba sneaker-line at the company.
So far there have been two leaked colourways – one a blue and white design, the other white and purple – which both embody the feel and look of your typical Adidas Samba, but have distinct colours that represent something synonymous with the name Lionel Messi.
This new shoe is expected to only continue to grow the popularity of the Argentinian star, who has been on an absolute scorcher over the past 18 months; winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, securing another Ballon d’Or and bringing untold interest to football in the United States, a host nation of the next World Cup, playing with David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
With the launch of the shoe creeping closer in 2024, Messi’s upcoming release will only pour more fuel on the hype he generates — adding new excitement to his football legacy off the pitch.
Lionel Messi x Adidas Samba: All the key details
Here are all the key details as of mid-February for the upcoming release of the Lionel Messi collaboration with the Adidas Samba range.
When will the shoe be released?
February, 2024
Reports suggest that the Lionel Messi x Adidas Samba will be available this month (February), which is hard to believe considering the brand is yet to comment on the potential collaboration, despite there being leaks.
A pair was even seen being sold online on a non-Adidas affiliated website, which has kick this focus on these shoes up a notch.
Watch this space for updates as information evolves surrounding the exact release date of this anticipated shoe.
Lionel Messi x adidas Samba pic.twitter.com/lAIcOBZ6sV
— Brandon (@brandon1an) January 9, 2024
Where will you be able to buy them, and for how much?
Adidas – $100 USD
Like with all Adidas sneakers, the shoes will be available for purchasing via adidas.com, other select online retailers and in-store at certain outlets.
It’s expected the price point will be set at around $100 USD (roughly $150 AUD), a very reasonable price point for a low-rise streetwear sneaker.
Interestingly, GOAT – an online sneaker shop that sells past shoes along with ones recently released – has already started selling the shoe on its website with fluctuating prices depending on the size, but only have one photo from the outer side.
DETAILED LOOK: Lionel Messi x adidas Samba ⚽️
— Sneaker Bar Detroit (@SBDetroit) February 17, 2024
MORE INFO: https://t.co/mDaD4te4hO pic.twitter.com/Ugd5xYANG6
The design
In the brief leaked preview we’ve gotten so far of the Messi Sambas, there are two colourways available — both with a white base-colour, with blue detailing on one, and purple on the other.
The one that has grabbed the most attention is the blue pair, which seems to be nod to Messi’s Argentinian background. It has matching dark blue laces, tongue and lining, and a lighter shade of blue stripes along the inner and outer panels, similar to the colours of Argentina’s national colours.
In an acknowledgment of the man’s greatness, there are touches of gold around the shoe including the top of the back heel, and the writing ‘Messi’ on the outside panel.
Both pairs are made of white leather that is accompanied by the classic Samba grey suede mudguard at the front of the shoe.
The second purple pair is much more simplistic, with that colour only taking up the Triple Stripes and the top of the back heel. The only other standout features are the fluro-green logo on the tongue, and the ‘gum sole’ of the shoe.
Our prediction is not only will these be popular with football heads, but all people who love streetwear as they have a dress-downed feel, with the sleekness of being affiliated with one of the greatest athletes of all-time.
