It didn't take long for Adidas to issue a special edition boot in honor of their most celebrated athlete: Lionel Messi. The Argentine won a record-setting 8th Ballon d'Or last night in Paris.
According to football boot insider Eric Wang, the new boot will officially launch on China's official Adidas app soon. But only one pair will be available via raffle — talk about a collector's item. We will post more details about the draw date as soon as we have them.
By launching the boots in China, Adidas is tapping into one of the fastest-growing football markets, boosting the brand's presence in Asia.
Adidas x Messi Crazyfast Ballon d’Or Special Edition boot
The special edition Adidas x Messi Crazyfast Ballon d’Or boot combines white and gold to make an appearance worthy of Golden Ball status.
Zooming in on the shoe, one can see the names of Messi's children, plus the Argentine flag and #10 on the opposite side. The cleat also features tiny footballs, presumably eight, to represent each of his Ballon d'Or awards.
Adidas also released a special ring commemorating the GOAT's Golden Ball milestone. “This ring celebrates Leo's role in Argentina's third World Cup victory in Qatar in 2022. Three stars on top symbolize the win, and ‘Campeón del Mundo 2022' surrounds it. Two figures on the sides resemble those on the FIFA World Cup Trophy holding up the globe,” writes Adidas Football.
Most notably, the new cleat showcases a rare Lionel Messi boot feature — the Burrito Tongue. The Burrito Tongue connects to the shoe's upper on one side, giving Messi that majestic touch while playing.
What are your thoughts on the one-of-a-kind boots?
Photo: Instagram/ericawang7621
