First Time Ever: Messi and Ronaldo Appear Together in Louis Vuitton Campaign
Eternal rivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have appeared together for the first time ever in an advertising campaign, facing off in a game of chess for Louis Vuitton.
Messi and Ronaldo Feature in Ad Together for the First Time
It's probably fair to say that Messi and Ronaldo have the biggest and most high profile individual rivalry in football. Two of the greatest of all time whose careers have overlapped almost perfectly. Often depicted as enemies with opposing personalities, the fact that for a large chunk of their careers they played on opposite sides of the Clasico divide added to that narrative.
Of course, their roles as the faces of Adidas and Nike respectively have seen each of them put in the spotlight countless times for advertising campaigns, always as the main attraction. That's without mentioning the dozens of other brands that they've endorsed over the years, as it didn't take long for companies to realise that having one or the other guaranteed lots of publicity and recognition.
Now, for the first time ever, they have appeared along side each other in an advert, sitting face to face over a game of chess and contemplating their next moves. Shot by the legendary Annie Liebovitz for Louis Vuitton and shared on social media by both players, it's a very simple photo, but combined with the timing of the launch and the many metaphors presented, it makes for an excellent bit of marketing by the luxury fashion house.
Two old masters playing a game of strategy, much like they are about to do in what is very probably their last chance at winning the World Cup, the only prize which has eluded them both so far in their glittering careers. The monotonous debates over who is better will continue long into the future, and if one of them manages to lift the trophy on December 18th, it will weigh heavily in their favour in that regard.
Messi has recently stated that he may not play much longer and the rumours of a return to Barcelona are still swirling, as is talk of a move to the MLS. Ronaldo effectively got himself sacked by Man United with his Piers Morgan interview (in which he spoke highly of Messi), which won't exactly have made a good impression on the few prospective employers he may have. Both players will have a lot of contemplating to do before deciding on their club futures and assuring they leave the best possible legacy.
Before turning their attention to their club football however, there is the intriguing possibility of a Portugal vs Argentina World Cup final, and plenty of games for them to focus on in order to get there. Do you think either one of them will finally complete their trophy collection next month?
What do you think of Messi and Ronaldo appearing together for the first time like this? Comment below.
Special Virgil van Dijk x Patta Jersey Revealed
Amsterdam streetwear label Patta has teamed up with Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk and Nike to unveil a vibrant, one-off football jersey for the Virgil's Legacy Trophy. The international under-13 tournament, founded by the Liverpool defender in collaboration with his formative club Willem II, brings together 16 elite youth academies from across Europe to compete in Tilburg.
The shirt draws deep inspiration from Van Dijk's Surinamese heritage, taking stylistic cues from traditional pangi cloth, a brightly patterned woven textile central to Maroon and Surinamese culture. The design ingeniously weaves together the primary colors of every participating club, including Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, PSG, Ajax, and AC Milan, translating their identities into an eye-catching, blurred check motif across the entire shirt.
The reverse lists the complete roster of competing clubs under "The class of '26," complemented by a custom Patta x Nike co-branded jock tag on the lower hem.
The bespoke jersey has been created exclusively for the young players taking part in the tournament as a commemorative keepsake rather than receiving a general retail release.
First 2 Adidas 2027 Boot Packs Leaked
Video game modder BxR Mods has recreated the first two Adidas 2027 football boot collections, providing a clear preview of what the Three Stripes have prepared for early 2027.
The 2027 Base Pack marks an important transition for Adidas, centered around predominantly black uppers accompanied by heritage-inspired accent colors across all three core silos. Most notably, the collection features the next-generation Predator 27 with its classic fold-over tongue, the returning AdiPure line set to succeed the Copa franchise, and the updated F50 Hyperfast. Alongside the traditional black-based editions, the preview also showcases the first main pack of the year, the collection to be worn by Adidas' best players.
Both of these Adidas packs launch in January 2027.
Nike Inter Milan 26-27 Third Kit Leaked - New Image
A new image of the Nike Inter Milan 26-27 third kit has surfaced, confirming the retro-inspired look that pays tribute to the club's iconic 1997-98 third shirt worn during the Ronaldo era.
Adidas Liverpool 26-27 European Training Shirt + Collection Released
Liverpool and Adidas have officially unveiled their all-new European training collection for the 26-27 season. Promoted under the tagline "Made for Europe", the range will be worn by the squad during training sessions and media obligations ahead of Champions League fixtures.
The Adidas Liverpool 26-27 European training collection is built around a crisp white base complemented by vibrant red accents. The iconic Adidas Three Stripes run down the sleeves in red, while the chest displays a monochrome red Liverpool crest enclosed in a shield, alongside matching red Adidas and AXA sponsor branding. Streamlined paneling and high-performance cuts from the latest Adidas Tiro template complete the refined aesthetic.
The range includes authentic short-sleeve training tops, long-sleeve drill tops featuring integrated snood neck collars, and insulated sleeveless puffer vests. The complete Adidas Liverpool 26-27 European training collection is available now through the club's official online store and retail outlets.
Hong Kong 2026 Home Kit Released
Nike and the Football Association of Hong Kong, China have quietly revealed the new Hong Kong 2026 home shirt.
The Nike Hong Kong 2026 home jersey combines two shades of red in a subtle half-and-half design, with a centrally aligned chest layout. The circular HKFA crest is positioned right in the center of the chest, accompanied by a white Nike Swoosh directly beneath it.
First Time in 12 Years: Juventus Bring Back Long-Sleeved Kits on Pitch
Making his Juventus debut in the match against AC Milan, Nick Woltemade was the only Juventus player on the pitch wearing long sleeves. Excluding special-edition kits, the German strike became the first Bianconeri player made this choice since Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio back in the 13-14 season.
Remarkably, even Cristiano Ronaldo, a long-sleeve icon, never wore one during his time in Turin.