Lionel Messi isn’t just a soccer player.
He’s a global icon with a fan base that spans generations, borders, and social platforms. The kind of cultural pull most brands could only dream of tapping into.
From Argentina to Miami, Messi moves with a level of influence that’s hard to quantify. Whether it’s a sold-out stadium or a social media post, he doesn’t just play — he shifts entire conversations.
He’s the most-followed athlete on Instagram, with over 500 million followers, and one of the most endorsed names in sports history. And unlike many athletes, his appeal isn’t divisive.
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Messi is seen as a quiet, consistent, hard-working legend — a player who lets his performance speak louder than his presence.
When you collaborate with Messi, you don’t just get clicks.
You get culture. You get family households, World Cup diehards, Gen Z hype, and international fans who treat his jersey like sacred cloth.
So while Stanley cup loyalists are raising eyebrows, Messi fans are ready to click “add to cart” before anything even goes on sale.
Stanley’s upcoming Messi collab is already dividing fans online
The brand officially announced the Messi x Stanley 1913 Striker Blue collection on July 14, with the global launch set for July 22.
But…not everyone is impressed.
When the first photos of the Messi x Stanley 1913 Striker Blue collection hit the internet, Stanley fans, especially the cup-obsessed TikTok crowd, were quick to voice their disappointment.
On Reddit, criticism came quickly. u/onedisneylover said, “Total pass for me.” Another user, u/Dora_Xplorer, wrote, “It’s a hard pass since I don’t care about soccer/Messi at all.”
Some criticized the aesthetic, saying the blue-and-gold lightning bolt design felt out of place. Many missed the brand’s signature neutrals.
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For a brand built on clean lines and cozy vibes, this collab landed like a curveball.
But it wasn’t all negative.
u/Em086 chimed in: “That blue and gold combo is gorgeous.” And u/recyclethatusername added, “Well, my 11 year old is hyped.”
Still, the disconnect is real. This drop wasn’t built for teachers lining up at Target or influencers building aesthetic pantries.
It’s for Messi fans: young, global, and sports-driven.
Why Stanley’s Messi move is bigger than a collab
This is Stanley’s second collaboration with Lionel Messi, but it’s more than just a repeat. It’s a clear sign the brand is shifting from viral cup craze to long-term cultural player.
By partnering again with one of the most influential athletes on the planet, Stanley is making a strategic play to reach a new kind of customer: younger, international, and sports-minded.
It’s a deliberate pivot that expands their identity beyond pastels and pantry aesthetics.
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The Striker Blue collection isn’t just a bold design choice. It’s a signal that Stanley wants to live in locker rooms, stadium sidelines, and morning workouts…not just in the hands of influencers.
From the Mate Mug to the Flip Straw Tumbler, every item in this collection speaks to movement, mindset, and daily performance. And by rooting the drop in Messi’s Argentinian heritage and lifestyle, the brand adds a layer of authenticity many product collabs miss.
This is the same brand that evolved from rugged camping gear to TikTok must-have. Now, it’s setting its sights on becoming a global lifestyle brand, one where performance and culture go hand-in-hand.
Stanley isn’t just riding a trend — it’s playing the long game.
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