Adidas Store in New York City Displays Lionel Messi in Inter Miami Jersey
Lionel Messi’s potential move to Inter Miami has already caused a buzz in the soccer world, and now the Adidas store in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood has added fuel to the fire. Despite the fact that Messi’s signing with the team has yet to be officially announced, the store has wasted no time in showcasing images of him in an Inter Miami jersey.
As of July 5, the store’s main window display prominently featured large photos of Messi donning the Inter Miami No. 10 jersey. Screens on the side of the display showed Messi alongside the slogan, “Impossible is coming,” before switching to Adidas’ well-known slogan, “Impossible is nothing.”
Interestingly, no Inter Miami jerseys with Messi’s name and presumed number were available for purchase at the Adidas store or at Inter Miami’s home match on July 4. The absence of official merchandise raised questions about how Adidas was able to display Messi in an Inter Miami jersey without an official announcement.
When asked for comment, a representative for Adidas North America did not respond immediately. Adidas sponsors both MLS and Messi with a lifetime deal, making their involvement in promoting Messi’s potential move understandable.
Inside the store, Inter Miami and Messi themes were prevalent. Upon entering either of the two entrances, customers were greeted with an array of Inter Miami, Argentina, and Messi-branded gear, alongside a sign that read, “Bienvenido a Miami.” Additionally, a collection of workout clothing was displayed containing only the colors white, black, and pink, which are Inter Miami’s team colors.
Curiously, child-size jerseys from Adidas’ Messi brand, featuring “Messi 10” in Inter Miami colors, were placed on a rack in front of NYCFC’s new home jersey. This is notable because NYCFC is one of the two local MLS teams in New York City.
Messi initially announced his intention to move to Inter Miami on June 7, before the official signing of the contract. The announcement reportedly caught MLS and its commissioner off-guard, according to sources. The delay in making the deal official is due to its complexity, involving structuring the richest contract in MLS history, revenue-sharing provisions with Apple (MLS’s media rights partner), and negotiations over image and marketing rights.
Although Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami is yet to be finalized, the anticipation and excitement surrounding his potential move continue to grow. Soccer fans eagerly await the official announcement and the prospect of seeing Messi in a new chapter of his storied career.