How Nike Lost Messi

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⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Adidas vs. Nike
01:16 How Nike Signed Messi & Ronaldo
03:53 ...and then lost one
05:16 The 🐐 Debate
🎬 About
Athletic Interest is a video essay series that investigates business stories from the world of sports.
📚 Sources
[1] www.wsj.com/articles/how-nike...
[2] www.adweek.com/agencies/nikes...
[3] Messi vs. Ronaldo: One Rivalry, Two GOATs, and the Era That Remade the World's Game (by Jonathan Clegg and Joshua Robinson)
[4] eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/...
[5] www.irishmirror.ie/sport/socc...
[6] www.forbes.com/sites/brettkni...
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#nike #messi #adidas

[@AthleticInterest]

💡 Slight update: at 2:28 we say that there are only three athletes with a lifetime Nike deal, but Kevin Durant became the fourth one earlier this week.

[@MSUHC]

Was just about it to comment this haha

[@Gabriel-fb5vx]

Ronaldo (R9) was the first football player with a lifetime Nike deal.

[@sidhantraghuvanshi1838]

Isnt Steph the face of underarmour?

[@MSUHC]

@@sidhantraghuvanshi1838 yeah but that isn’t Nike/adidas

[@krunalshah222]

The odds

[@nafikr1932]

So Nike lost Messi and Steph Curry, crazy how both of them has become the face of Adidas and Under Armour

[@AthleticInterest]

Really shows how much impact a single athlete can have 🤔

[@Onairuk]

Adidas could of had Michael Jordan

[@SuperiorRecaps]

​@@Onairuk Wrong it was Converse that could have had Michael Jordan.

[@seemymobot4987]

​@@SuperiorRecapsCorrecting the comment substance and grammar in one hit, touché

[@AirKangLocker]

@@SuperiorRecaps its both, in the book Driven From Within MJ said he went to adidas too but they didnt see him worthy of a signature line

[@alexlee3008]

Thought of Ronaldo and Messi being in the same commercial before worldcup give me chills

[@erko78]

It still wouldn’t have happened. Just because they’re signed to the same brand doesn’t mean they’d be doing commercials together. To do that you need both players to agree. At best they’d record separately and then edit them together. But as time has shown one of the two or possibly both do not want to do commercials together. Whether it’s competitiveness or agents interfering, who knows. My guess is Messi doesn’t like Ronaldo for all the shots Ronaldo has taken over the years. I think Messi just stays professional but deep down knows Ronaldo is a fake arrogant person.

[@ayanbhattacharjee1076]

@@erko78 So you guess all this?

[@AyushThakur442]

@@erko78 Never have I seen Ronaldo actually disrespect Messi. Ronaldo says that he is best in the world, and that is a midset to keep him moving. You are simply a person who does not like him. Messi and Ronaldo respect each other. And where did you get the idea that they do not want to do commercials together? They would certainly do it if they were signed with the same brands. Grow up

[@mystrodelin643]

​@@erko78 you are definitely no football fan. I have never in my 13 years of being a football fan ever heard Ronaldo direspeting Messi. He has repect and so as Messi. You are probably a very young fella who is only a social media football fan and does not know a poop bout football. But have a nice day 😊

[@adityanair5340]

@@mystrodelin643 He has on several occasions in various interviews, you should use your brain before correcting others.

[@kasinathrajagopal9839]

So is it right to say that Messi was one of the best things happened to Adidas

[@sigfigronath]

messi and kanye

[@leodas99]

Yeah in a speaker and louder

[@briands1993]

That would be an understatement

[@easymoneypromotions]

@@sigfigronathr7 and drake on nike is a better combo

[@nikitamandawat]

​@@easymoneypromotions Never

[@kntfhvn]

I'm surprised this channel hasn't blown up yet. Been an avid follower since the beginning and looking forward to see more growth and success coming to you and your team. cheers and keep up the great content brother.

[@rxy8541]

It has 620K subscribers? What do you mean it hasnt blown up yet?

[@kntfhvn]

@@rxy8541 620k followers is a lot dont get me wrong and the amount of views they get is crazy which is why it's surprising that they haven't cracked a million subs yet. this channel has been dishing out top notch content for more or less 3 years now. I've seen plenty of channels that have been around the same period and have over a million subscribers at least.

[@AthleticInterest]

We really appreciate this! Plenty more growing to do 🙂

[@mokacy8102]

Same bro love this page, the voice is so relaxing as well 😂

[@louvendran7273]

It will blow when the poor nations that are football crazy can afford to watch KZbin. KZbin (longer videos) is currently or the Internet for that matter is still the reserve for the rich in poor countries. Plus especially English is dominated by American English whereas there's over 2 Billion British L2 speakers over the world waiting to get in. In 20 years time the demographics will shift.

[@da_gang4life]

Crazy how all of Ronaldo's clubs wore Adidas and his national team wore Nike. Then it's the opposite of for Messi, his clubs wore Nike and his country wears Adidas 💀

[@jerkov420]

Manchester United wore Nike when Ronaldo was there the first time. Pretty sure Sporting and Al Nassr didn't wear Adidas either

[@killerxkombat]

Messi is going to wear Adidas with Inter Miami

[@salsadancer4965]

It is amazing that in this world of marketing personalities which has to be a model like Ronaldo or controversial like Maradonna or charismatic like pele or Muhammed Ali a combination of all, someone can still shine through by purely their performance even tho they are an introvert. I think that is Messi's biggest achievement in this world of smoke and mirrors.

[@jhanschannel4390]

Messi totally depend on his performance.. He just play fottballer with his heart.. No other goal.. And everything come automatically

[@otakuhunter4817]

couldnt have said it any better

[@YoYo-tn5yj]

Messi and Ronaldo together in Nike would make Adidas non existent

[@Hachiae]

adidas fit wider feet better so i definitely wouldnt say non existent

[@Tsangass]

i dont think so. Messi hasnt been able to carry an adidas boot

[@mountaindew3201]

Both players played with teams that were sponsored by the other brand. Expect their national teams

[@Tsangass]

@@mountaindew3201 ofc the brands would pay an arm and a leg to have one of club/ country to be under the same sponsor. Country is easier as they dont change nationalities

[@mountaindew3201]

@@Tsangass and international teams almost never change their sponsors unlike league teams. In the end of the day both brands got to sell many of. It’s players shorts if you think about it.

[@kmart625]

I’m just grateful for all the insane memories both Messi and Ronaldo gave us over the span of their careers and still continue to give

[@lrlwbw9]

Messi is the face of football and Adidas made the deal of sports history.

[@anonymous031]

@Mai F. Ali laugh at your mom

[@Dexterous_Soul]

face of football, he's a Fraud.

[@streamingera4102]

😂

[@carlosnk9543]

@@streamingera4102 penaldog without world cup hahaha

[@raj51246]

Unrecognisable in us also 😅😂

[@jouzu2477]

Imagine losing the best player of all time because you forgot to make a proper contract

[@jianh1989]

also imagine losing the best shooter of all time in the NBA because you forgot to change the name in presentation slide.

[@Yashiro205]

@@jianh1989more like forgetting his name during an interview lol

[@MainsMain]

Pelé wore Puma

[@Pandajo]

Man... this channel just keeps getting better and better

[@AthleticInterest]

Thank you! 🙌

[@lamp6121]

Messi probably carried Adidas through this whole 15 years by himself, of course a lot of famous footballers also use or have used Adidas, but having Messi always gave Adidas an edge against Nike

[@unusallife6326]

Kanye helped a LOT on the high end but he got the vaccine and lost his mind. Nike is still number 1 globally in sporting apparel, equipment and pretty much everything but futbol cleats. Nike’s margins are ridiculous.

[@Prostar_18]

No Messi didn't do much for Addidas Addidas didn't go for great players They went for great teams like man United ,Real Madrid Thts the point which people r forgetting

[@diegosebastianvasquezsotom1952]

Can you make a video about EA Sports and why their next game will have the name EA Sports FC 24 and why they lost the licences for FIFA??

[@LaMessi22]

Adidas will always be known as the brand who signed Greatest player ever.

[@Prostar_18]

🤣🤣

[@amda7882]

Who would that be cause GOATNALDO IS with Nike

[@neezduts-pz5kd]

Glad you're back. Hadn't seen you for awhile.

[@AthleticInterest]

Took a little break to recharge 🔋

[@neezduts-pz5kd]

@@AthleticInterest Understood. You're always putting out great content. The mashup of sports/business/culture always interest. Something I haven't seen that maybe you can do that seems interesting is (I'm American) the difference in contract structures between American sports and the rest of the world (obviously primarily football (soccer) ). European leagues can spend untethered whereas in different U.S. leagues' they're put on a salary cap. Why? Anyway, take care and Cheers!! 🍺🎮🎧

[@TheMarslMcFly]

Great video as always. I just wonder if your production was done to early, or if you just snubbed Kevin Durant in naming him as one of the few people to have a Lifetime Nike Deal ;)

[@AthleticInterest]

We already had the video finished and uploaded when the news broke 😅

[@esehfrancismorara191]

@@AthleticInterest could you please do a video about image rights comparison in American sports with European sports

[@iraklimodebadze8979]

Huge supporter of your videos and businesswise sports stories with numbers and money. Love your graphic work and narrating style. Just keep going and post more often 🙏❤

[@choco6781]

Have been a follower of this channel from the beginning.Great to see you guys grow ❤

[@AthleticInterest]

Thanks for being with us! 😀

[@ahmadburhanhabibi]

This reminds me of how Nike lost Curry, similiar situation as well

[@nikhilkalyan3210]

Wish Adidas got Haaland to continue this battle to the next generation.

[@YouBasket]

He’s signed with nike

[@nikhilkalyan3210]

@@YouBasket Yeah, I’m aware.

[@lamp6121]

Most of footballers nowdays wages are waaay higher mostly thanks to Messi and Ronaldo, they all think they are them but in reality they aren't, so i don't know in wich point would be worth it to give these modern stars more money than Messi and Ronaldo ever asked for

[@zinj2618]

They got Bellingham

[@BOABModels]

1:50 One bizarre thing about this advert, which you would never see these days, is that players were wearing their club and national strips, regardless of whether they were Nike branded - Ronaldo is in the Umbro Brazil kit for instance.

[@Wizzkidwas]

4:34 This is exactly what happened with Oscar Piastri and Alpine in F1 during 2022

[@rayanamer4359]

I can not believe that this content is free! Keep it up.

[@AthleticInterest]

Thank you! 😄

[@hemanthnayak889]

Hey Athletic Interest , I've been watching your videos from beginning. Would love to see detailed documentaries related to sports.

[@Liquidcadmus]

None of these are correct, I am Argentine and I remember clearly that when Messi decided to go for Adidas it was because Nike is involved in a lot of shady stuff and Messi didn't want to be associated with that, eventhough Nike offered him more money than Adidas. This was talked about by people in Messi's personal circle, and it came out in the media here in Argentina.

[@ahmadmaulanai8164]

What shady stuff means?

[@cyberpokey]

source? "trust me bro"

[@rng8119]

​@@ahmadmaulanai8164 slavery

[@momogi618]

we need source

[@taufik3219]

you're showing yourself as Argentine towards this topic is irrelevant

[@economicsofentertainment]

In a weird way, I am glad it didn't work out. It is always nice to see balance.

[@user-ft4gu5wv7k]

Your videos are getting better and better i am happy to be following you since 100k followers !

[@gamesjed]

messi vs marketability case study would be a good one to read especially with how rapidly all the industries changed

[@Kdotkage]

your channel has imrpvoed so much over the years :D excited to see you on netflix

[@stuartbest95]

The irony is though that when I think of or have watched Messi, its in a Barca or PSG shirt (Nike) and with Ronaldo in Madrid or Juve, its in Adidas...

[@mountaindew3201]

Messi player with teams sponsored by Nike meanwhile Ronaldo being under Nike, played for teams under Adidas. In the end, both Adidas and Nike were able to sell both players shirts.

[@Prostar_18]

U r smart just like me U know the game

[@bharatavarsha10k]

Hey buddy, thanks for another great video ❤.. Very insightful and interesting topic!

[@AthleticInterest]

Thank you! We’re glad you enjoyed it 😀

[@donguyen4077]

glad to hear that voice again, keep it up

[@nerigarcia7116]

It's fitting, Messi with Adidas is classic while Ronaldo fits more with Nike's marketing. I'm and Adidas fan myself.

[@jordibt1789]

2:15 i'll be very glad if i never se Barça's minimalist logo

[@WorldSportsDocu]

Brilliant video, you definitely deserve to blow up! Keep up the good work!

[@AthleticInterest]

We'll wait for the Boom! 😉 💥

[@lukabjelis]

Great content

[@shubhojitghosh69]

Nice video Athletic Interest.

[@nihalpai7241]

The debate is over. Messi is the GOAT!

[@JCA1009]

Adidas debería hacer una película como la que hizo Amazon con Nike. En esta última cuentan cómo consiguieron a Michael Jordan. Adidas debería contar la proeza de haberle ganado a Messi.

[@notaspeck6104]

It's interesting but Messi definitely doesn't try too hard with brand. I wonder how much more commercially successful he could've been if he'd... well cared. Not that I can blame him for just wanting to play football.

[@anja1627]

Messi is a no-nonsense person. He doesn't have that celeb fanfare. He's just so chill and loves to play football. That's what I love about him. No cockiness as well that you see in most athletes.

[@lamp6121]

Messi doesn't care about all that hollywood diva stuff, he just plays football, and i woulnd't be surprised if the real reason why he left Nike is because he liked Adidas boots better, he allows himself to actually like stuff and not think about money all the time

[@M34ZZ]

Ur channel is top notch quality 👌

[@ZsebtelepHUN]

Ah, finally, its been weeks since ive last heard anything about what this glamorous nike brand is doing, and why its so mega awesome amazeballs. Cant wait till the next video guys.

[@davidjr4903]

Wondering how much nike is paying them for all the advertising they do for them

[@MuhammadAmin-ov4uv]

I'm surprised this channel doesn't have 5 mill subs excellent video and commentary throughout

[@AthleticInterest]

That is a nice target to aim for! 📈

[@MuhammadAmin-ov4uv]

@@AthleticInterest go for it we with u all the way

[@y72skeleton72]

I love this channel it gives me more knowledge about sports men and specially footballers and he makes the video enetrtraining

[@mauriciocatach3933]

Great as always! Assuming it was done before Haaland announced his partnership with Nike

[@sushantkoiri5211]

Awesome content.. Hooked😊

[@jerryk843]

Thanks for the video.

[@AthleticInterest]

Thank you for watching!

[@cjay6547]

Nike's worth is skyhigh already, but imagine they had the Messi, Curry and Yeezy brands under their belt too...

[@TrayambakOjha]

As usual impeccably engaging and brilliantly made video!

[@AthleticInterest]

Really glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

[@thecrazymercan]

Great Video!

[@03J45]

I can only imagine the colorways they would have given messi. Plus he liked tiempo Legends, so they definitely would have made that into a speed boot for him. I mean I understand that now with Adidas he's financially stable, but the colorways and silhouettes that Nike would have released for him would have been. Nike just has a better taste of style to be honest

[@lsdesignweb]

All of the above and also in Argentina, specially in the national team Adidas has a very strong presence

[@bobboberson2024]

Great post! At least the Goat debate is over. :)

[@lazospodcast]

amazing as always

[@AthleticInterest]

Very grateful as always 😉

[@raunaktodarwal]

Nike is not visionary when it comes to individual sports. They are still walking & running shoe company. In fact they are best at it. But sports like football etc. adidas leads and leads by a HUGE margin. In fact just imagine, even though India has not been so much into international level football despite the craze, Adidas has already started investing in Indian football by selling the best football shoes and AG shoes for kids as well adults. They have also started signing up some players here. Nike on the other hand doesn’t even sell any football shoes in the whole of India. That shows the difference in vision and commitment to sports.

[@flaviaventurini7301]

Adorei o vídeo

[@Horrorf4ce]

Adorei o vídeo.

[@PasserBy869]

This is the football equivalent of Adidas and Converse missing out on Michael Jordan.

[@ayubarsala3085]

haaland signed with nike. I hope to see him diversify his capabilities on the pitch to beyond just scoring simple goals however I believe mbappe is still the most valuable potential free agent player on the market.

[@The_G.O.A.T__]

Hey Athletic Interest

[@T-REXAFRIDI6T9-yk9lc]

"introvert vs extrovert" love that line

[@raideepu4]

Messiah of football makes everything valuable.

[@_thanu__bro_6520]

Debate settled

[@grzybowymuflon8922]

Nike be straight up like: forgor 💀

[@djshugga-aafter5radio910]

I'm an avid follower of athletic interest sincd day one. I even recommend people to watch this channel... however of late i feel they are missing a touch they had when they started cant really point it out

[@zummmba]

no way, the host sounds exactly like reggie from the umbrella academy!

[@United_Wings]

Amazing video

[@AthleticInterest]

Very kind! Thanks Eaglet!

[@EMETRL]

it's interesting how sports brands can change in popularity so much. Umbro used to be a clear third behind nike and adidas in the 2000s. Now they're barely top 10 and brands like puma, under armour, and even mizuno and new balance are more widely used in football.

[@murodjonnormurodov6662]

Little kid from Rasario Saved Adidas and keep the whole structure of the Market in Balance Wow That defines Greatness

[@AECrspn]

El doblaje en español es Perfecto!! 💯

[@mod_123]

debate settled on 18.12.22 🐐 🏆

[@gm2723]

Messi is better, both as a person and as a player. This makes me more inclined to buy his shoes.

[@cinephile1010]

Addidas came with the Term GOAT for Messi commercial

[@sportyentrepreneur]

This is one of the best channels I came across so far, it is so informative and interesting to watch!😯 By the way, I have a video on a similar topic on my channel so I now how much effort it takes to make high-quality content.

[@bautistachasseing7164]

0:59 why did you edit the Monumental to be behind Hainer. I won’t complain tho, it’s my team’s stadium

[@Kushonthebush]

hey athletic intrest can you pleasee pleasee give the 1:13 image plus man what banger edit you make and still you have subscribers less than 1 million.

[@Philipp_f]

Could you make a video about why nearly Evers Sportsbrand has a running App Like Adidas Running or Asics runkeeper?

[@sophiegallinger8004]

Adidas chose wisely. I'd love to know how much of their revenue in the past 2 years was from selling Argentina shirts with Messi's name, first for the Copa America and then for the World cup, with 2 stars before and 3 stars after!

[@celsosarmento6692]

Do one about vini Jr and nike

[@akash5457]

Can you make a video on cricket League IPL as it's is growing very fast.

[@rangershark10]

Me getting a adidas ad watching this vid🤣

[@betterchapter]

Nike and fumbling the bag with generational talents seems to be par for the course.

[@dhruvbatra9006]

Mbappe and Halland

[@aathifsanaya6798]

what is the ending music in this video?

[@grigapau]

Another great video! Thanks!

[@AthleticInterest]

You’re very welcome 🙂

[@crobisbobis]

Imagine loosing the GOAT over some shirtware 😂😅😂

[@anonymous031]

@Mai F. Ali oh sorry Let your tears bring some rain in saudi where your camel is playing kid

[@KingTheWolf357]

@Mai F. Ali damn ur English is almost as bad as Ronaldo in the Kebab league

[@KahinDaz]

KD just became a Nike lifetime athlete too

[@Slowcarfastbeans]

The adidas boots were too narrow. All Nike boots, excepting the Nike Hyper Venom, had a much more comfortable toe box.

[@azozkoora]

I really want to give really great football content and edit really good like you guys just impressive😍🔥

[@fufu5068]

CR extrovert. That's why he danced for Shopee.

[@nem3th]

Adidas couldnt be more happier now with Messi in Miami INTER 🔥

[@eriveltonbeto8420]

Atualmente em questão de marca prefiro Nike, agora em questão de jogador vou no Leonel Messi, mais é um marquet interessante de acompanhar!

[@oddahi7886]

And the fun fact :- in clubs they both eact others brand for so long messi wear nike in barcelona kit and ronaldo wear adidas in real madrid, juventus and manchester united kit.

[@Matt_Fields_29]

Wait, you mean to tell me Ye isn't Adidas's biggest endorsement asset? Who is this Lionel Messi? All the post-Alex Jones Ye fans couldn't possibly be talking out their asses, could they?

[@nishant54]

Lionel messi is the greatest athlete ever in any sports you jungly person.

[@Matt_Fields_29]

@@nishant54 that's the joke 🤦‍♂

[@user-wb4sz5po8i]

Essa partida será dura

[@coreym8503]

ronaldo being nike and messi being adidas was just meant to be.

[@KimarKurosaski]

Can someone explain why footballers don’t have signature cleats? Not like coloreays but full blown signature shoes like Lebron or Jordan? Like would an Adidas Messi pro or Nike Zoom CR7 just not sell or something?

[@AthleticInterest]

Interesting question! The difference between football and other sports such as basketball involve different vantage points as a fan. In football, you support the club and then the players who play for that club. That also means that there are greater rivalries, so it's unlikely that fans would buy a signature shoe of the rival club's best player. That's why most brands go for silos based around playing styles instead of signature cleats. So you have different categories, for example the cleats of fast attackers, creative midfielders or tough fullbacks. And those categories usually have one superstar promoting it, like CR7 and the Nike Mercurial. But you make a good point because in recent years it's shifting more and more towards a superstar economy, where players seem to become more important for fans than clubs. So it'd be interesting to see what would happen if Nike or Adidas actually launched a signature shoe based on one player. I don't think they will do it though because it means giving away a lot of independence and business is going well as it is right now.

[@KimarKurosaski]

@@AthleticInterest Interesting thanks for the reply! As a advertising person and big sports fan this channel gives great insight!

[@JFKKK]

do you think there is potential competitor for nike and adidas ?

[@RomanBellicTaxi]

Puma, maybe? Neymar (which isn't as relevant now, but still is one of the world's top players) has been with Puma for a while after his fallout with Nike, which was his sponsor for a pretty long time too. Haaland has been experimenting different brands and he's with Puma too.

[@bronzeman-je2pd]

Their is a video clip from Real Madrid training ground were Xavi Alonzo y having a fit with CR7 about what brand is better. Surprisingly it didn't get much views. Needles to say Xavi win the debate.