Global soccer superstar Lionel Messi has renewed his agreement with German sportswear giant Adidas, reportedly signing a ‘lifetime’ deal which will see him wear the company’s apparel until the end of his playing career.
29-year-old FC Barcelona forward Messi has long been an ambassador for the world’s second largest sportswear brand and his existing deal was worth a reported US$10 million a year. It is unclear whether the new agreement, which was confirmed by Adidas on its social media channels, is a significant increase on that, although estimates suggest it could bring him in line with the similar lifetime deal recently signed by Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo with US-based sportswear firm Nike. That was rumoured to be close to the US$1 billion lifetime arrangement Nike has in place with National Basketball Association (NBA) star LeBron James.
Messi’s affiliation with Adidas has played into his perceived ongoing rivalry with Portugal star Ronaldo, who plays for Barcelona’s arch-rivals Real Madrid and in January won his fourth Ballon d’Or award, the prize given to the world’s best soccer player over the preceding 12 months, bringing him within one of Messi’s five.
The Adidas deal does nothing to clarify the long-term future of Messi at club level. His current deal with Barcelona expires in 2018 and though the player is expected to recommit to the side, rumours continue to circulate that he may join former boss Pep Guardiola at Premier League side Manchester City.
Global soccer superstar Lionel Messi has renewed his agreement with German sportswear giant Adidas, reportedly signing a ‘lifetime’ deal which will see him wear the company’s apparel until the end of his playing career.
29-year-old FC Barcelona forward Messi has long been an ambassador for the world’s second largest sportswear brand and his existing deal was worth a reported US$10 million a year. It is unclear whether the new agreement, which was confirmed by Adidas on its social media channels, is a significant increase on that, although estimates suggest it could bring him in line with the similar lifetime deal recently signed by Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo with US-based sportswear firm Nike. That was rumoured to be close to the US$1 billion lifetime arrangement Nike has in place with National Basketball Association (NBA) star LeBron James.
Messi’s affiliation with Adidas has played into his perceived ongoing rivalry with Portugal star Ronaldo, who plays for Barcelona’s arch-rivals Real Madrid and in January won his fourth Ballon d’Or award, the prize given to the world’s best soccer player over the preceding 12 months, bringing him within one of Messi’s five.
The Adidas deal does nothing to clarify the long-term future of Messi at club level. His current deal with Barcelona expires in 2018 and though the player is expected to recommit to the side, rumours continue to circulate that he may join former boss Pep Guardiola at Premier League side Manchester City.
