Today, adidas Originals announced an exciting new collaboration between global music sensation Bad Bunny and soccer icon Lionel Messi. The “Bad Bunny & Messi Collection” highlights the powerful connection between music and sport, paying tribute to the individual legacies of both stars while solidifying adidas’ role in global culture.
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, has long admired Messi, often referencing the soccer legend in his music, including five mentions in his latest album. Messi, in turn, has shown his respect for the Puerto Rican artist, sharing that seven Bad Bunny tracks are featured on his pre-game playlist. The collection reflects their mutual admiration, uniting two cultural giants who have pushed boundaries in their respective fields.
The collection draws inspiration from Adidas’ heritage and features two of the brand’s iconic models—the Adidas Gazelle and the Adidas F50 cleat. The F50, a soccer cleat Messi wore throughout his illustrious career, is renowned as one of the best soccer shoes ever. Meanwhile, the Gazelle, once a staple in indoor soccer gyms, has evolved into a lifestyle footwear icon and one of Bad Bunny’s favorites.
Both models in the collection pay homage to Messi’s numerous accomplishments, particularly his status as the greatest male footballer in the world. Gold accents on the designs are inspired by the prestigious trophies Messi has won, and the “X” stripe on the heel references his famed number 10 jersey. With blue details connecting back to adidas’ heritage, the collection merges tradition and excellence. Both shoes also feature the signatures of Bad Bunny and Messi, symbolizing their partnership and shared legacies.
“Messi’s last name has become its own word, a synonym for greatness, courage and heart,” said Benito Martinez Ocasio. “Watching him play with the passion he does is a privilege. I compare the love he feels for his country and his sport to the love I feel for music and Puerto Rico. Collaborating with him is an honor that so many people dream of and I never even imagined I could achieve it. Today, I feel so grateful to be able to represent our culture with the GOAT.”
“This campaign celebrates our fans. Seeing people who follow me and support me does more than just inspire me, it makes me feel very grateful. I always try to give everything I have on the pitch, so it’s great to see that there are people who appreciate that effort and always support me, even in bad times,” said Lionel Messi. On the collaboration with Benito, he commented, “Music is connected to many aspects of my life, and Bad Bunny is an artist who is never missing from my playlist.”
In celebration of this historic collaboration, adidas is launching a campaign that pays tribute to the millions of fans who have supported Bad Bunny and Messi. The campaign’s centerpiece is a heartfelt letter, crafted from fans’ messages across social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter). The letter, brought to life in a short film featuring both stars, expresses these figures’ deep impact on their fans, with Messi and Bad Bunny taking turns reading it aloud.
The Bad Bunny & Messi F50 will be available globally for 300 EUR, while the Gazelle will be sold exclusively in North and South America for 180 EUR. Fans can sign up for the collection on the Adidas CONFIRMED app starting October 21, and it will be available in stores on October 26.
This collaboration redefines the intersection of sport and music, offering a unique moment that resonates beyond soccer and entertainment.
There aren’t many names in the world of music that are bigger than Bad Bunny. There aren’t many names in the world of sports that are bigger than Lionel Messi. Now, the two are coming together as part of a new collection from adidas that sits directly at the intersection of sport and culture.
some moments are made for the world to see. ⁰this is one of them.⁰⁰introducing Messi x Bad Bunny collection, available 10/26.
The aptly named ‘Bad Bunny & Messi’ Collection features special silhouettes of two shoes. One, the adidas Gazelle, is a favorite of Bad Bunny, while the other is the adidas F50 cleat, which Messi has worn throughout his decorated career. To celebrate two of the biggest stars on the planet linking up, adidas dropped a campaign film on Instagram on Monday afternoon.
Both releases will share a number of details, which adidas laid out in a release.
Each model in the collection pays tribute to individual trophies honoring Messi’s status as the best male footballer in the world, with gold hues inspired by the prestigious trophy and design elements like the ‘X’ stripe heel that reference Messi’s number 10 jersey number. The blue accents connect the designs to adidas’ heritage, blending tradition with excellence. Both the Gazelle and F50 models feature the signatures of Bad Bunny and Messi on their famous stripes, symbolizing their mutual respect and enduring legacy. The shoes also sport the Trefoil and Badge of Sport logos, along with the inscription ‘Bad Bunny Para Messi’ on the tongue. These designs transcend their original athletic purpose, fostering a new community that merges sport, music, fashion, and creative expression.
The F50s will be a worldwide release, while the Gazelles will only be available in North and South America. Both Messi and Bad Bunny expressed their admiration for one another in an interview with ESPN, with the latter saying a collaboration with Messi is “a dream come true” and Messi praising Bad Bunny’s music as being “part of the mix that always plays.”
Today, adidas Originals announces a one-of-a-kind partnership between two global superstars, Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, better known as Bad Bunny, and soccer legend Lionel Messi. The Bad Bunny & Messi Collection celebrates the incredible connection between music and sport, two passions that unite fans across the world, and pays homage to the individual legacies of Bad Bunny and Messi, while cementing adidas’ role in culture.
Bad Bunny has long admired Messi, referencing the soccer superstar in his music, including five mentions in his latest album. Messi, in turn, has expressed his own admiration for the Puerto Rican artist, revealing that seven Bad Bunny tracks are included on his personal pre-game playlist. As two adidas ambassadors, this collaboration reflects a deep mutual respect between the two stars — two titans in their fields — pushing the boundaries of their respective crafts.
The Bad Bunny & Messi Collection draws inspiration from adidas heritage models, materials, and colorways from its rich brand archives. It features two of adidas’ most celebrated silhouettes – the adidas Gazelle and the adidas F50 cleat. The F50 has been worn by Messi throughout his playing career and is widely recognized as one of the best soccer cleats of all time. The Gazelle has evolved from being worn in indoor soccer gyms to a lifestyle footwear icon and one of Bad Bunny’s favorite styles.
Each model in the collection pays tribute to individual trophies honoring Messi’s status as the best male footballer in the world, with gold hues inspired by the prestigious trophy and design elements like the ‘X’ stripe heel that reference Messi’s number 10 jersey number. The blue accents connect the designs to adidas’ heritage, blending tradition with excellence. Both the Gazelle and F50 models feature the signatures of Bad Bunny and Messi on their famous stripes, symbolizing their mutual respect and enduring legacy. The shoes also sport the Trefoil and Badge of Sport logos, along with the inscription ‘Bad Bunny Para Messi’ on the tongue. These designs transcend their original athletic purpose, fostering a new community that merges sport, music, fashion, and creative expression.
“Messi’s last name has become its own word, a synonym for greatness, courage and heart,”said Benito Martinez Ocasio.“Watching him play with the passion he does is a privilege. I compare the love he feels for his country and his sport to the love I feel for music and Puerto Rico. Collaborating with him is an honor that so many people dream of and I never even imagined I could achieve it. Today, I feel so grateful to be able to represent our culture with the GOAT.”
“This campaign celebrates our fans. Seeing people who follow me and support me does more than just inspire me, it makes me feel very grateful. I always try to give everything I have on the pitch, so it’s great to see that there are people who appreciate that effort and always support me, even in bad times,”said Lionel Messi. On the collaboration with Benito, he commented, “Music is connected to many aspects of my life, and Bad Bunny is an artist who is never missing from my playlist.”
To coincide with the launch, adidas is releasing a campaign that commemorates this groundbreaking partnership by honoring the millions of Bad Bunny and Messi fans who have voiced their devotion through social media, in the stands, and beyond, over the years. At the center of the campaign is a touching letter, crafted from the heartfelt words of fans on Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter). This powerful message is brought to life in a short film featuring Messi and Bad Bunny, who read excerpts from the letter which begins with a soulful truth for both stars, “this country wouldn’t be the same,” says Messi, “… if you were born anywhere else,” continues Bad Bunny.
With a focus on creativity and excellence, this collection redefines the interplay between soccer and music, creating a moment that will resonate far beyond the worlds of sport and entertainment.
The Bad Bunny & Messi F50 will be available globally at RRP 300 EU. The Bad Bunny & Messi Gazelle will be available exclusively in North & South America at RRP 180 EUR. Sign-ups for the collection will be available on the CONFIRMED and adidas flagship apps starting October 21st, and in adidas flagship stores starting October 26th.
The sneakers feature a gum rubber sole, paired with a coordinating midsole for a unified look. Additionally, the uppers are carefully made from brown leather, accentuated by additional suede overlays for contrast. Further along the sides, Adidas’s famous Three Stripes are presented in sail leather, with Benito and Leo in red lettering.
More Photos
Sneaker Bar Detroit reports that the Bad Bunny and Lionel Messi x Adidas Gazelle Indoor will be released on October 26th. Also, the retail price of the sneakers will be $180 when they drop. Further, make sure to let us know what you think about these kicks in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the most recent updates and news from the sneaker community. We’ll make sure to offer you the newest products from the most notable brands.
Originally designed for indoor soccer, the Gazelle Indoor maintains its sporty roots while transitioning seamlessly into streetwear. The rubber outsole provides excellent grip, making it suitable for various activities. As sneaker enthusiasts eagerly await this release, the collaboration highlights the intersection of sports and music. Also, the Adidas Gazelle Indoor collaboration with Bad Bunny and Lionel Messi promises to be a must-have for fans of both icons. With its unique colorway and special details, this sneaker is sure to capture attention and elevate any collection.
The sneakers boast a gum rubber sole, complemented by a matching midsole for a cohesive look. Additionally, the uppers are meticulously crafted from brown leather, enhanced by more suede overlays for contrast. Further along the sides, Adidas’s iconic Three Stripes are rendered in sail leather, with Benito and Leo in red font.
Sneaker Bar Detroit reports that the Bad Bunny and Lionel Messi x Adidas Gazelle Indoor will be released on October 26th. Also, the retail price of the sneakers will be $140 when they drop. Further, make sure to let us know what you think about these kicks in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the most recent updates and news from the sneaker community. We’ll make sure to offer you the newest products from the most notable brands.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor and celebrate the rich culture, history, and contributions of the Hispanic community. In the world of sneakers, several brands have created designs that pay tribute to this vibrant heritage. From bold colors to intricate patterns, these sneakers not only make a style statement but also carry meaningful cultural significance. Here’s a roundup of some of the best sneakers to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in style.
Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican superstar, has made a significant mark on both music and fashion, and his collaboration with Adidas reflects his cultural influence. As part of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, the Bad Bunny x Adidas Gazelle Indoor “Core White” stands out as a tribute to his roots and the broader Hispanic community. Featuring a clean white leather upper with gum rubber soles and subtle sail and black accents, the sneaker combines modern streetwear with traditional elements.
The Jordan 1 “SiEMPRE Familia” is a perfect addition to Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, with its design paying homage to Mexican culture. Released in 2021, this sneaker showcases intricate details like ornamental Swoosh embroidery, symbolizing the rich heritage of the Hispanic community. The black and red colorway, paired with bold elements, captures the vibrancy of traditional Mexican art. The “Familia” branding on the tongues further emphasizes the importance of family and unity, key values in Hispanic culture.
Adidas Samba “Día de Muertos Pack Black”
Image via Adidas
The Adidas Samba “Día de Muertos Pack Black” pays tribute to the deeply rooted traditions of Día de Los Muertos, a significant cultural celebration in Mexico. Featuring floral embroidery and intricate stitching, this design honors the vibrant marigolds often seen on altars during the holiday. The classic black base of the Samba contrasts beautifully with these bold details, making the sneaker a stylish yet meaningful nod to the tradition.
J. Balvin x Jordan 3 “Rio”
Image via Nike
The J. Balvin x Jordan 3 “Rio” brings vibrant energy to Hispanic Heritage Month, reflecting the colorful essence of the Colombian artist and his cultural roots. J. Balvin brings his dynamic style to the classic Air Jordan 3 with vibrant shades of blue, green, and pink. These lively colors pay tribute to the energy of his hometown, Rio. His signature smiley face logo on the heel adds a playful and personal touch. This collaboration perfectly blends fashion with cultural heritage.
Jarritos x Dunk Low SB
Image via Nike
The Jarritos x Dunk Low SB is a perfect blend of tradition and streetwear, celebrating the rich culture of Mexico. This collaboration between the iconic Mexican soda brand Jarritos and Nike Skateboarding honors the brand’s heritage and craftsmanship. Bold colors and unique materials bring the design to life on these Jarritos Dunk SBs.
Bad Bunny is a global music superstar, but the “Baticano” rapper’s home and heart will forever belong to Puerto Rico. Over the years, he has showcased his silly side with meme-worthy photos and viral videos. However, when it comes to his native country, it’s not a laughing matter.
On his latest song, “Una Velita,” Bad Bunny is using his award-winning voice and international platform to draw attention to the plight of his people. Bad Bunny’s discography is filled with danceable bops, but now he adds a political resistance track to round things out.
With all eyes on Puerto Rico’s gubernatorial election, as well as the anniversary of Hurricane Maria, Bad Bunny offers a public prayer for the island. “And of the Holy Spirit, may God protect my song / I don’t want a tarp, I want His mantle / Obviously, the light will go out, God knows it will never rеturn / The bridge they took so long to build, thе river has grown and will break it / A couple of songs saved on my phone for when the signal goes out,” he raps (translated to English).
Bad Bunny then turns his sharp pen toward elected officials, rapping: “The signal has already been given, and they don’t wanna see it, it’s just that the Puerto Ricans have to wake up / Don’t forget the old lady over there who lives alone, we need to help her / Remember that we’re all from here, it’s up to the people to save the people / Don’t send me anything from the government, those bastards will hide it / They’re going out on the streets just for photos, they can all go to Hell / Five thousand were left to die, and that we’ll never forget / The palm tree they want to use to hang the country, one of these days we’ll take it down.”
adidas Originals continues its partnership with global superstar Bad Bunny, unveiling their latest release: the Gazelle Indoor. This new drop offers a bold reinterpretation of the classic Gazelle, embodying the theme “The right thing in the wrong place,” which promotes styling freedom through creative design choices.
The concept focuses on design details that might seem out of place, yet become defining features when reimagined. This innovation is showcased through the shoe’s combination of a classic double tongue and disruptive elements like the Flipped T toe and an exterior size label on the heel. These unexpected features blend seamlessly with the overall aesthetic, redefining the iconic silhouette.
Inspired by Benito Martinez Ocasio’s (Bad Bunny) daring style and artistic fearlessness, the Gazelle Indoor mirrors his boundary-breaking creativity. This release further cements his influence not only in music but also in fashion and culture.
Sign-ups for the Gazelle Indoor will be available on the CONFIRMED app and adidas’ flagship app starting September 16th. The shoe officially drops on September 21st, priced at $140 USD for adults, and will be available in stores, on adidas.com/badbunny, and at adidas flagship locations.
When Creative Director Adrian Martinez started out in the music industry, he had no idea where he’d be today. Doing what he describes as “bits and pieces of the creative process” and capturing content for artists via video and photography was his first glimpse into a future he hadn’t necessarily planned for. “I was doing like a ton of video editing. I got into graphic design,” he tells UPROXX. “I started working on cover art from there. I got into music video direction after a couple of years of being around artists and networking.” Those connections he made combined with a comfort behind the camera – not to mention the symbiotic relationship he was able to easily build between himself and musicians – “snowballed into other opportunities” and he was able to put on live shows for artists.
Fast-forward to now, Martinez has worked with the likes of Rauw Alejandro, Peso Pluma, Bad Bunny, 6lack, and more to bring their creative ideas to life. From 3D animation to branding merch design and experience production, his creative house, STURDY, has become a one-stop shop for musicians who want start to finish creative handling of their campaigns.
Ahead of receiving the Spotlight Award for excellence in creative direction at the upcoming UPROXX event for the Sound + Vision Awards, we spoke to Martinez about how his creative intuition and love for music pushed him into a self-made career and what he’s most excited to create next.
Is there an early project you worked on that cemented your desire to be a creative director?
I got an opportunity, which was at the end of 2016, to work with PARTYNEXTDOOR on his second tour. He let me do the creative behind it, let me design it. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was just going to figure it out and had good people working around me on all the other departments of the show. From there, I found out that I enjoyed working on the design side of the show more than capturing it. As a creative director, I’m able to speak to all these different people that work across different mediums and take in different parts of what a campaign is these days — which is everything from cover art to marketing ad mats, tour posters, the music videos, all the way through to the stage design and lighting direction.
When you say you enjoyed the design side more than the capture side, what was it about that experience with PARTYNEXTDOOR that led you to that realization?
On a very basic level, I felt that when I was taking photos, I didn’t enjoy how he was lit. I didn’t enjoy how the lighting was captured. It always felt a little messy and uncurated and it felt like the lights were just there to be there. I felt like he should be standing here at this part of the show or he should interact this way and the lighting should be hitting him from the back so that he has a good rim light. That PARTY show I’m talking about was much more a trial than a success, but it made me open my eyes to what was possible and where I wanted to go.
Do you always work on every aspect of a campaign and all the different facets you mentioned, from tour posters to set designs?
My goal is to be able to do the campaign and its live side. I feel like that’s where the needle really gets threaded in the best way and where I have found the most success. People always do want to piece it together and I understand there are other creatives involved before I get in the mix, there are always other people helping execute things and I think it’s important to be open to the collaborative process. But I try to either keep it to the whole campaign or the whole live show, and if that’s separate, that’s cool. But ideally, like I said, it’s kind of like the more global approach.
You mentioned PARTYNEXTDOOR felt like a trial. What was you first success?
Four or five months later I got an opportunity to work on another OVO SOUND artist’s show. It was Majid Jordan playing at Coachella. That was April of 2017. I felt that through that process I got to know the artists very well. I had a sense of confidence and comfort in being able to ask questions and try to assert my point of view much more than just subsiding to what they wanted.
Also, in between the PARTY tour and the Coachella show I had met a couple of guys that ended up being a co-founder of this company I run called STURDY, and they were really focused on the visual side of the shows. They were doing 3D and 2D animation and I was with them almost every single day. I was soaking up so much. I learned things like a pixel map which is what you use to map content onto screens properly. I picked up new software and started messing with After Effects and seeing what I could do with 3D software. I didn’t realize that it was the very beginning of what we’re doing now. When I look back it’s still one of the shows that stands out to me because it felt like although we were young kids having fun, we were also really into the process. We were very dedicated.
Tell me more about Sturdy, how did it come together?
We got to work on a lot of shows really quickly after that, and we started getting opportunities to do visuals and get involved in the creative side of artists’ careers. Things were kind of moving for us pretty rapidly in the summer of 2017. We got to work on Kendrick Lamar’s tour. It was a three-day turnaround on some visuals but we were super stoked and it was awesome to be able to work with Dave [Friley] and Kendrick on that. It gave us a little bit more validation within the industry. And also, I needed more confidence to keep pushing and keep going.
By summer of 2018, we got to work on Drake’s tour visuals and we’re seeing stuff happen at a really high level and felt like we were actually starting to compete with bigger companies and being looked at by bigger clients. We realized that if we were just a bunch of ragtag freelancers, it was just never gonna turn into something real. We also knew we really enjoyed working together and that our team dynamic paired with finding a name that we felt we could stand behind made us want to make it official. By the fall of 2018, we had made STURDY an official thing.
LVRN/Interscope
The position of Creative Director can be opaque in some cases, especially when you’re doing so many jobs and wearing so many hats. How do you describe your work to people?
I always say a creative director is not just the person who says this is how we’re going to do it. You’re actually directing creatives. That is what you’re doing. So that means you have a bunch of people that you need to be able to speak to in a way they’ll understand. That translates to the way that they look at the execution, the buttons that they press on their side, and the way they process concepts. And then you have to do that in a bunch of different ways with all these different people. Same with a live show. You have the guys who do visuals, and then you have the guys who are in charge of rigging and that are in charge of making sure that the building can withstand the weight of the screens that are hanging or the lights or whatever. And then you have the lighting designer and you have to make sure that they’re doing things in a way so that the really cool designs and renders that you have in 3D are realistic in real life and the list goes on.
What are you excited to create next?
Without getting super specific, I’ve just got some really exciting tours coming out this next year that are with artists that I love, that I listen to, that I’m fan of. It’s always fun to be able to work with an artist whose music you are a fan of, and you then become part of that picture and help build that world. It’s a privilege for sure.
In a new venture into acting, global music sensation Bad Bunny has been cast in Adam Sandler’s highly anticipated sequel to the 1996 comedy classic Happy Gilmore. The Hollywood Reporter broke the news, although details about Bad Bunny’s role remain under wraps. This announcement adds to the excitement surrounding the film, which also features NFL star Travis Kelce.
Sandler himself officially confirmed the sequel’s production on Instagram, and shooting is now underway. This marks Bad Bunny’s second major acting role, following his recent casting in Darren Aronofsky’s crime thriller Caught Stealing from Sony Pictures.
Bad Bunny, known for his groundbreaking contributions to reggaeton and Latin trap, has been making significant strides in the entertainment industry. He transitioned from music to acting with impressive ease. Fans eagerly anticipate how the superstar will bring his unique flair to the beloved Happy Gilmore franchise.
⁰this is one of them.⁰⁰introducing Messi x Bad Bunny collection, available 10/26. 
