Lionel Messi is one of the greatest footballers that history has ever witnessed. Not just a phenomenal athlete but an iconic cultural icon for a global audience, Lionel Messi is a product of his childhood in Rosario, Argentina, and his unmatched performance in the field. Off the field, he could create an identity by association with some of the biggest brands in the world.

brands endorsed by leonel messi

Source: Biography

Then, of his talent, humility, and relatability, he had to be gold-rained across most industries that needed him as a marketing ambassador. This article brings closer the best brands that have endorsed Lionel Messi, their relevance, and how those advertisements relate to his brand and worldwide recognition.

S. No. Brands Endorsed by Leonel Messi
1.Adidas
2.PepsiCo
3.Gillette
4.Gatorade
5.Huawei
6.Budweiser
7.Lays
8.Hard Rock Café
9.OrCam Technologies
10.Mastercard
11.Jacob & Co

1. Adidas- Brands Endorsed by Leonel Messi

adidas- brand endorsed by leonel messi

    Source: Google Images

    He has sponsored one of the best and longest-running deals – with Adidas. Another of the leading sportswear leaders from Germany has been the sportswear firm sponsoring Messi for campaigns since 2006. Adidas got Messi early. They saw his potential when he first came out on the soccer horizon. Signing him on a deal that was a bit hefty at the time brought the young lad to prominence as an endorser and set him on top as one of the best-paid athletes in the world.

    Some of the most memorable campaigns and products include:

    Messi Boot Line: Adidas produced many boot signatures dedicated to Messi. Firstly, there was “F50”, his first associated boot series, and later, the boot series “Nemeziz Messi” targeted a market base inspired by his playing style. In turn, these products carry state-of-the-art technologies, guaranteeing outstanding performances.

    International Advertisement: Messi was part of the highly renowned advertisements of Adidas, “Impossible Is Nothing,” and all others. All these depict his miraculous journey from being a boy in a small Argentine town to becoming a football hero, and his fans run into millions worldwide.

    Messi and Adidas’s association has been at the core of the sportswear brand’s football-focused campaign, which puts itself against competitors like Nike.

    AspectsDetails 
    NameAdidas
    Founded 1949
    FounderAdolf Dasler 
    Headquarters Herzrogenaurach, Germany
    IndustrySportswear and Equipment
    Key ProductsApparel, Footwear and Sports Equipment
    Revenue (2023)24.72 billion (approx)

    2. PepsiCo

      The other major part of Lionel Messi’s portfolio of endorsement deals has been PepsiCo. For over 10 years, Messi has appeared in many commercials for the brand, often alongside other football icons. The agreement represents a long-term aim for the company: linking itself to football and its vast global fan base.

      Notable Campaigns:

      Engage the Game: The advertising campaigns for this global campaign featured Messi, along with other celebrities, in action-packed, popcorn-worth-watching ads.

      Pepsi Signature Advertisements: For a long time, Pepsi has used Messi to brand the company through amusing and creative advertisements. The dashing footballer always pulls off impossible moves in his dribbles when beating up other players or making peculiar moves to get a can of Pepsi. Commercials about it show the “live for now” idea of the Pepsi brand appealing to the youth mindset.

      With this, it became possible for Pepsi to leverage global adoration of Messi while his smiling face sold the brand image.

      AspectsDetails 
      NamePepsi Co (Merger of Pepsi Colo Company and Frito Lay Inc)
      Founded 1965
      FounderCaleb Bradham (Pepsi Colo) and Elmir Doolin & Herman Lay (Frito Lay)
      Headquarters Purchase, New York, USA
      CEO (as of 2025)Ramon Laguarta
      Key ProductsBeverages (Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Tropicana, and Gatorade) and Snacks (Lays, Doritos and Cheetos) 
      Revenue (2024)$ 86 billion (approx)

      3. Gillette- Brand Endorsed by Leonel Messi

      gillette

        Google Images

        With Lionel Messi, Gillette brought something classy and maturely sophisticated to the sponsorship. He was the “Face of Precision” for Gillette, translated into purity or finesse through which he went about his play on the pitch and off.

        Inner Steel Ad Campaign: This advertisement campaign portrayed the image of Messi: tenacious, accurate, and very focused characteristics that have defined his glorious career. The message that the campaign gave to the people was well passed since it is a matter of inner strength winning.

         The Gillette endorsement has given Messi that extra attraction among sports enthusiasts. Still, it makes him an even more desirable commodity for those who enjoy a sense of class and refinement.

        AspectsDetails 
        NameGillette
        Founded 1901
        FounderKing C. Gillette
        Parent CompanyProcter & Gamble (Acquired in 2005)
        Headquarters Boston, Massachusetts, USA
        IndustryPersonal Care and Grooming
        Key ProductsRazors, Blades, Shaving gels, and Other Grooming products) 
        Revenue $ 10 billion (2023-estimated)

        4. Gatorade

          gatorade

          Source: Google Images

          Gatorade is a brand of hydration sport, and one can quickly get the idea that they have brought their hero in Lionel Messi. When it speaks about performance, resilience, and training, it refers to things Messi perfectly embodies. Most of the ads by Gatorade with Messi are centered around how much goes into perfection.

          Heart of a Lio Animated film This short film idea was from one young boy – Messi, who dreamed of being a World footballer, was turned on the perfect soothing track with it – with an idea of pursuing nothing much but keeping the spirit high in-game, was seen to place exceptionally well for the message of Gatorade brand.

          Hydration Series: Messi has been the ambassador of Gatorade drinks products, which come with electrolytes to ensure the proper body functioning of the athlete under strenuous sports conditions. More advertisements make Gatorade the leading drink brand for professional athletes worldwide.

          AspectsDetails 
          NameGatorade
          Founded 1965
          FounderDr. Robert Cade and the team at the University of Florida
          Parent CompanyPepsi Co (Acquired in 2001)
          Headquarters Chicago, Illinois, USA
          Key ProductsSports drinks designed for rehydration and replenishing electrolytes
          Revenue (2023)Over $ 6 billion 

          5. Huawei

          huawei- brand endorsed by leonel messi

            Source: Google Images

            In 2016, the global technology leader Huawei announced Lionel Messi as their brand ambassador—a strategic collaboration to develop brand awareness and penetration. In the geographies, a special focus is also needed within regions like Latin America and Europe. 

            Messi has endorsed the high-end smartphone brand: A brand quality combined with innovation. Messi-end campaigns created connection, continuity, and mastery. Its target market was the techie and the football enthusiast. The brand was associated with Messi, which increased brand awareness and authenticity in struggling markets.

            AspectsDetails 
            NameHuawei
            Founded 1987
            FounderRen Zhengfei
            IndustryTelecommunications, Consumer Electronics, Enterprise Solutions
            Headquarters Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
            Key ProductsSmartphones, 5G equipment, Cloud Services, Networking devices, Smart Devices
            Revenue (2023)$ 92.4 billion (billion)

            6. Budweiser

              budweiser

              Source: YouTube 

              The brand Budweiser identified itself with quality and tied itself with Lionel Messi. Budweiser developed several in 2020 to highlight Lionel Messi’s iconic career and history in football.

              Some Campaigns:

              Kings Aren’t Made Overnight: In the wake of breaking Pele’s, which Pele holds for scoring goals individually, this campaign would celebrate his highly arduous endeavor for being what he was and is, being successful.

              7. Lays- Brand Endorsed by Leonel Messi

              lays- brand endorsed by leonel messi

                Source: Google Images

                Lays is another product of PepsiCo whose ads feature Messi. He featured in thousands of ads and had many chances from this sporting icon. In general, the ad is funny, and the messages are hearty. This characterization of Messi reveals that this player is not severe.

                Celebrity Ads

                One often sees Messi munching Lays chips in commercials as he gets into playfully mundane situations. The brand relates to everybody across the world due to his charisma.

                AspectsDetails 
                NameLays
                Founded 1932
                FounderHerman Lay
                Parent CompanyFood & Beverages
                Headquarters Plano, Texas, USA
                Key ProductsPotato Chips, Snacks
                Advertising Slogan “Betcha Can’t Eat Just One”

                8. Hard Rock Cafe

                  hard rock cafe

                  Source: People.com

                  In 2021, Messi finalized an association with Hard Rock Café to celebrate its 50 years. It was a great brand relationship with all the crossover flavors, from football to entertainment. To the ex-football icon, this was one kind of phenomenon, a rate of passage experience, as it were, almost in the instant of a “rockstar.”

                  Branded merchandise wear, t-shirts, and even collectibles for illustration featured Messi’s picture and icon embossed and ready to buy. Interestingly, an avid footballer is exciting customers in this chain of restaurants. 

                  AspectsDetails 
                  NameHard Rock Cafe
                  Founded 1971
                  FounderPeter Morton and Isaac Tigrett
                  Parent CompanyFood & Beverage, Hospitality, Entertainment
                  Headquarters Davie, Florida, USA
                  Key ProductsBurgers, Drinks, Live music performances, Rock Shops
                  SloganLove All, Serve All

                  9. OrCam Technologies

                    orcam technologies

                    Source: Optician Online

                    Lionel Messi has teamed up with OrCam Technologies as part of his efforts toward social responsibility. OrCam Technologies focuses on AI-based assistive technology for the visually impaired, and its global ambassador, Lionel Messi, has given significant attention to it.

                    Key Highlights:

                    • It seeks to bring the challenges of visually impaired people to light and showcase OrCam’s novel solutions.
                    • Messi’s involvement includes gifting devices to deserving individuals, showcasing his dedication to making a positive impact beyond football.
                    AspectsDetails 
                    NameOrCam Technologies
                    Founded 2010
                    FounderProf. Amnon Shashua and Ziv Aviram 
                    IndustryAssistive Technology
                    Headquarters Jerusalem, Israel
                    Key ProductsOrCam MyEyeOrCam ReadOrCam Hear
                    MissionEmpower individuals with disabilities using AI-powered technology

                    10. Mastercard- Brands Endorsed by Leonel Messi

                    mastercard- brands endorsed by leonel messi

                      Source: Google Images

                      Mastercard sponsors the UEFA Champions League because Lionel Messi is the brand ambassador for moments that can never be replaced and are related to football. This means Messi is the icon of the euphoria and thrills the game of football creates in the onlookers.

                      Key Campaigns:

                      • Most of the time, Messi is not a commercial identity. His marvelous skills and deep connectivity with people masses bank support the idea of Mastercard’s motto, “Priceless.”
                      AspectsDetails 
                      NameMastercard
                      Founded 1966
                      FounderDr. Robert Cade and the team at the University of Florida
                      Parent CompanyPepsi Co (Acquired in 2001)
                      Headquarters Purchase, New York, USA
                      Key ProductsCredit, Debit, Prepaid Cards, Payment Gateway Solutions, Digital Wallet Services
                      Revenue (2023)$ 22.24 billion (2023 estimate)

                      11. Jacob & Co.

                        jacob and co.- brand endorsed by leonel messi

                        Source: GMT Magazine 

                        Jacob & Co. has collaborated with Lionel Messi, the famous Argentine footballer for luxury watch manufacturing, to classify and add classiness to Messi’s sponsorship portfolio. He and Jacob & Co. have come up with many designs of watches that are a tribute to his career.

                        “Epic X Chrono Messi” is the name of the watch, dedicated to the milestones of Messi, where art and designs merge with the perfection of engineering.

                        AspectsDetails 
                        NameJacob & Co.
                        Founded 1986
                        FounderJacob Arabo
                        Parent CompanyPepsi Co (Acquired in 2001)
                        Headquarters New York City, USA
                        Key ProductsHigh-end luxury watches and fine jewelry
                        ClienteleHigh-Profile Individuals, Celebrities, Royalty, and Collectors

                        Conclusion

                        The portfolio of Lionel Messi Endorsement reveals his unbeatable influence and marketability. In every campaign, there is a reflection of the brand, which is Messi; it can be Adidas, PepsiCo, OrCam Technologies, or one of the world giants, for everyone talks of virtues that he embodies: excellence, tenacity, and approachability. The socially responsible brands like OrCam that he endorses stand up for him, using his fame for good in this world.

                        The association with Messi is more than an advertisement for sports icons to social change initiatives; it builds inspiring stories for millions. Through this endorsement campaign, brands develop emotional and aspirational sentiments that he creates among his fans and add further depth and diversity to these parts, cementing his stature as a global cultural phenomenon.