Lionel Messi’s Major League Soccer jersey, particularly the No 10 shirt for Inter Miami, has earned the spotlight as one of the most influential fashion pieces of 2023.
The recent New York auction of Messi’s jerseys catapulted his popularity globally, with fans flocking to Miami to witness the eight-time Ballon D’Or winner in action.
Surprisingly, it’s his jersey that has captured widespread attention, earning recognition from lifestyle magazine Vogue as one of the most sought-after apparel items in the past year.
Vogue highlighted the uniqueness of Messi’s Inter Miami jersey, describing its unexpected shade of “un-Barbie pink” as a fashion phenomenon that disrupted the norm in football apparel.
The generic Inter Miami jersey, following Messi’s arrival, quickly sold out, leading to a flourishing bootleg industry. Even after five months, the official Messi jersey, featuring his iconic number 10, continues to be in high demand, with a waitlist for most sizes on the Adidas website.
Messi’s fashion influence extends beyond the field, with high-profile personalities like LeBron James, Kim Kardashian, and Selena Gomez spotted in the audience at Inter Miami’s games.
Additionally, Messi played a pivotal role in helping David Beckham’s team secure their first silverware, the 2023 Leagues Cup, contributing a total of 10 goals to the victory.