The reason Messi left his deal with Nike ahead of the 2006 World Cup for Adidas has been revealed.
Global superstar Lionel Messi is currently on a lifetime contract with German sports brand Adidas; however, according to reports, he was more or less a Nike athlete before making a U-turn.
The 36-year-old Argentina international is currently making waves with MLS side Inter Miami, and Adidas, his apparel sponsor, was a huge influence in his choosing to go to North America, amid interest from Europe and the Middle East.
What now looks like a match made in heaven between the brand and Messi was, however, due to a 'fumble' by Adidas' major competitor Nike, according to reports.
What happened
Messi's boyhood club Barcelona are currently in an over 20 years partnership with Nike, a relationship that began in 1998.
So when Messi's talent began to shine in the early 2000s, Nike, the kit maker for his club, became an obvious choice, and according to a report by the Mirror, they were indeed in a partnership with him, a lucrative one at that, which saw them supply him with boots, clothing, and other relevant merchandise.
But according to the Mirror, a book titled 'Messi vs. Ronaldo: One Rivalry, Two GOATs, and the Era That Remade the World's Game' reveals what ended the relationship between Messi and Nike.
The report claims that Nike was stunned ahead of the 2006 World Cup by Messi and his camp, as they already had a campaign for their stars going into the tournament planned, and it included the former PSG man.
The American sports brand was reportedly informed before the tournament not to include Messi in the campaign they already had a photo shoot with him for, as he already had a deal with Adidas.
The reason for this, according to the book, was in part because Nike failed to meet the demands of the footballer's father, who asked for more athletic gear for his son. This made them feel he was not being valued by the brand.
Also, the report claims that Nike was uninterested in entering a bidding war for the footballer, as Adidas already had him on a bumper deal.
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