It was a power shot like no other.

As a suitable way to commemorate Adidas’ 75th anniversary, FN was prepared to capture the dynamic combination when CEO Bjørn Gulden travelled to South Florida last month to observe the brand’s longstanding ambassador Leo Messi in action.

The impressive duo pulled it off just before Messi’s match against the New York Red Bulls, in front of a sold-out crowd, demonstrating that “Messi Mania” is still going strong in America.

Since signing with Inter Miami CF in July 2023, the sport of soccer has been greatly enhanced by the presence of the finest player the world has ever seen, Lionel Messi. The club announced at the time that his deal would be valid until the 2025 MLS season.The sportsman told FN that American enthusiasm will only increase from here on out. It’s a worldwide phenomenon, and Messi predicts it will only grow in popularity. Competition in the local competition is high, and the inclusion of Mexican teams in the Leagues Cup increases its appeal. On a national level, there is a lot of pressure for the 2026 World Cup, the 2025 Club World Cup, and the Copa America. And the league is seeing an influx of players from all over the world.

When Messi left Nike in 2006, he signed on with the German sporting giant Adidas, where he has been an ambassador ever since.Adidas staged a stunning welcoming party for Messi, complete with a cargo ship, boats, and helicopters decked up in the black and pink colors of Inter Miami FC. Additionally, Adidas loaded vehicles with crates containing Messi jerseys, soccer balls, and other items from the ship, and fans all across Miami were given them.Messi said that Adidas has always been a part of his life, even if he wore the Swoosh before donning the Three Stripes. The Argentine national team’s consistent use of Adidas gear in the matches he saw on TV as a child meant that the brand was ever-present, he remarked.

The influence of Terrace culture, which originated from the clothes worn by soccer fans in the standing parts of stadiums, and the fashion derived from the sport, known as “Blokecore,” have both continued to grow as Messi increases the sport’s popularity in the United States.

At its core, soccer is a universal language and a universally loved pastime, as Messi put it. It follows that there is a growing trend of style in football and its environs. The exposure that this activity brings about has a profound impact.

With an assist from Adidas, Messi added his own touch to this trend in late May, creating two pairs of Sambas — a staple shoe of Terrace culture — that are synonymous with Miami fashion, which he described as “vibrant, yet relaxed.”

These styles, which debuted in the US on May 29, feature the black and pink colors of Inter Miami FC. The pink-dominated style is called “Home” and is a reference to the team’s jerseys worn at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The black-based “Away” style is the opposite. You could get these kicks for $100.