Remember when Messi wore Nike Boots?
When you think of Lionel Messi, you think of Adidas.
It’s not unusual to associate brands with football players.
When you think of Messi’s greatest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, you think of Nike.
It’s just another element that helps to aid the ever-growing rivalry between two of the greatest players that the game has ever seen.
Due to the strong relationship between both brand and player in this scenario, it would be weird to envision, let’s say… a loyal Argentinian, Adidas ambassador wearing Nike boots, right?
Well, it actually happened.
The Debut
Via fcbarcelonanoticias.com
Despite amassing only a handful of appearances for Barcelona’s B team in the Segunda Division, a young Lionel Messi had already done enough to attract the attention of Barca boss at the time, Frank Rijkaard.
Starting on the bench for the Blaugrana against RCD Espanyol, 17 year-old Messi came on for Portugal star, Deco - making for a historical moment in the game.
Although he only played eight minutes, Messi showed signs of promise and arguably should have scored, having found himself one on one against the goalkeeper.
It’s a chance that Messi pondered on after the game, as did manager at the time, Frank Rijkaard:
“When I got on, I just enjoyed the moment.
I remember I had a really good chance against the goalkeeper, but I didn't get hold of it.
Rijkaard came up to me after the game and said that I missed the chance."
Via Josep Lago/Getty Images
The Boots
Via Getty Images
This will surprise a few.
Lionel Messi made his debut against RCD Espanyol, wearing the Nike Air Zoom T90 III Football Boots.
This was a result of the contract that Messi signed when he was just 14 years-old. Nike clearly saw potential in the Argentine from a young age and acted on it quickly.
It was a move that saw Lionel regularly switch between Nike’s 3 models at the time; Nike Air Legend, Nike Mercurial and Nike T90.
Yes, Lionel Messi wore Nike Mercurials.
Via Getty Images
The Switch
Via fcbarcelona.com
It was February 2006 when Messi made the switch to Adidas, on an initial 5 year contract with the German brand.
The switch came as part of a bidding war for the Argentine, with Nike battling to keep their star but inevitably losing out to a £400,000 deal annually.
Of course, that contract is worth a lot more today.
Messi’s switch from Nike saw him immediately don the famous F50 line, with his first official signature boots arriving in 2013, after the Argentine had already scooped 4 Ballon D’or awards.
Due to the success and loyalty that Messi has shown towards Adidas, he was reportedly awarded a lifetime contract in 2017; meaning that we will see him represent the company’s apparel until the end of his playing career.
It’s been a good 16 years since we saw Deco make way for Messi. A lot has changed, his boots in particular - but the trajectory of Messi has been consistent and has seen the now 33 year-old firmly place his name into the footballing history books; potentially as the Greatest of All Time.