This Understated Collab Proves Adidas’s Most Storied Sneaker Still Has Legs

Messi’s latest collab with Adidas brings a breath of fresh air to the tired, old Samba.

Published January 14, 2025

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Peak Samba hype may be behind us but Lionel Messi just proved the most storied shoe in sportswear still has legs.

A new Samba variant courtesy of Adidas and the World Cup winner just surfaced online, featured in a subtle color palette of white, gray and gold — a refreshing antidote to the extravagant Samba variants trickling out of Herzogenaurach, Germany.

Front of a white sneaker — The creamy color of Messi’s newest Samba matches the timeless appeal of the monochromatic original.

All aboard the anti-hype train

Adidas founder Adolf Dassler designed the Samba as a humble soccer shoe in 1949, not a lavish sneaker with exotic leather and flashy colorways.

Messi’s previous collab with Adidas, for example, saw the sneaker take on a garish bubblegum-pink upper, suggesting perhaps that the iconic silhouette’s utilitarian days were behind it.

Fortunately, that wasn’t the case.

Top of a white sneaker — A hint of gold detailing is only visible on the tongue.

The soccer star’s newest signature sneaker features creamy off-white upper, accented with light gray detailing and a crepe-like, semi-transparent sole. Messi’s logo, printed on the tongue in gold foil, can also be found subtly embossed on the outer heel panel.

The Messi logo embossed into the outside heel panel is a nice tough.

Adidas

All in all, it’s a brilliantly simple aesthetic that not only matches timeless appeal of the original Samba but other menswear mainstays like the Stan Smith and Nike Killshot 2.

What’s more, it comes off as a much-needed breath of fresh air for a sneaker that has recently suffered from its own success.

Pricing and availability

The upcoming Messi Samba in cream will be available from February 1 for $100. Adidas has yet to confirm whether or not the sneaker will be a staple in the Samba’s revolving door, however, it has all the makings of a potential classic.