On a night when the world’s attention was fixed on Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans, it wasn’t just the Philadelphia Eagles’ dramatic victory over the Kansas City Chiefs that had fans talking.
Argentine football legend Lionel Messi, a figure synonymous with the beautiful game, made headlines of his own—this time, not for his exploits on the soccer pitch, but for his surprising, skillful cameo in a high-profile Adidas commercial aired during the event.

Lionel Messi’s presence at the Super Bowl was no mere coincidence.
The global superstar, now plying his trade with Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer (MLS), was in attendance at the NFL’s biggest game of the year, but his role extended far beyond that of a celebrity spectator.
Messi collaborated with Adidas, one of his long-standing partners, to deliver a commercial that quickly became the talk of both the football and soccer worlds.

The ad opens with a striking visual: Messi, dressed in casual athletic wear, steps onto a field not with a traditional soccer ball, but with the “Duke,” the official ball of the NFL.
In a display that blurs the boundaries between two of the world’s most popular sports, Messi begins to juggle the oblong football with the same deft touch and control that has made him a legend in soccer.
He flicks, taps, and balances the ball with his feet, knees, and even his shoulders, demonstrating a level of technical skill that seems almost superhuman given the awkward shape of the NFL ball.

As the commercial progresses, Messi’s display of ball mastery draws the attention of onlookers—both real and virtual.
The moment builds to a grand finale as Messi, with a characteristic burst of flair, volleys the NFL ball high into the air, sending it soaring over the goalpost in a move more reminiscent of a field goal than a soccer strike.
The camera lingers on the flight of the ball, capturing the seamless fusion of two sporting cultures.

The ad closes with a clever slogan: “When football ends, football begins.”
The message is clear—once the NFL’s season concludes with the Super Bowl, the world’s attention shifts to the start of the MLS season, which this year kicks off on the 22nd of the month.
For American sports fans, it’s a reminder that the spectacle of football never truly ends; it merely changes forms.

But the Adidas commercial was more than just a showcase of Messi’s skills.
It was also a subtle nod to his new home in Miami and to the growing influence of soccer in the United States.
During the ad, Messi is seen wearing Inter Miami’s new home jersey for the season—a striking pink kit with striped accents that many fans have noted bears a strong resemblance to the iconic Argentina national team shirt.
This visual cue did not go unnoticed by eagle-eyed viewers, and it seemed to confirm recent rumors about the similarities between the two kits.

The presence of Messi at Super Bowl 59 was itself a major talking point.
Sitting in the stands at the Caesars Superdome, Messi was joined by several of his Inter Miami teammates, including fellow former Barcelona stars Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
The sight of these footballing legends enjoying the NFL’s biggest night together was a powerful symbol of the increasingly global nature of sports fandom.

For Messi, the Super Bowl was both a celebration and a statement.
His partnership with Adidas and his cameo in the commercial signaled his intent to be more than just a player in the MLS; he is positioning himself as an ambassador for the sport, bridging the gap between soccer and American football and attracting new fans to the beautiful game.

The commercial itself was a masterstroke of marketing.
By placing Messi—a player whose name is synonymous with soccer—at the heart of an NFL-themed ad, Adidas succeeded in creating a moment that resonated with fans of both sports.
The ad’s message, “When football ends, football begins,” played on the linguistic differences between American and global audiences, where “football” refers to two very different games but evokes the same sense of passion and community.

The response on social media was immediate and overwhelming.
Clips of Messi juggling the NFL ball went viral within minutes of the ad’s airing, with fans marveling at his ability to adapt his skills to a completely different type of ball.
Many commented on the difficulty of controlling the oblong “Duke” compared to a round soccer ball, making Messi’s performance all the more impressive.

Soccer pundits and former players weighed in as well.
Some joked that Messi could have had a career as a kicker in the NFL if he had chosen a different path.
Others saw the ad as a sign of the growing respect between the two sports, and a recognition of Messi’s unique status as a global icon.

The timing of the commercial was also significant.
With the MLS season set to begin just days after the Super Bowl, the ad served as a reminder to American sports fans that soccer has firmly established itself as part of the country’s sporting calendar.
Messi’s move to Inter Miami last year was a watershed moment for the league, bringing unprecedented attention and excitement to MLS.

Messi’s impact on Inter Miami has already been profound.
Ticket sales have soared, merchandise featuring his name and number is flying off the shelves, and the team’s games are now broadcast to a worldwide audience thanks to a lucrative partnership with Apple TV.
The commercial, which also highlighted Messi’s collaboration with Apple TV, reinforced his status as the face of soccer in America.

The choice of the Super Bowl as the platform for the ad was no accident.
The event is the most-watched television broadcast in the United States, drawing more than 100 million viewers each year.
By featuring Messi in a prime-time slot, Adidas and Apple TV ensured that their message would reach not just soccer fans, but the broader American public.

The symbolism of Messi juggling the NFL ball was not lost on viewers.
It represented more than just a clever marketing gimmick; it was a celebration of the universality of sport, the shared language of athleticism, and the joy of watching greatness in any form.
For young fans watching at home, it was a reminder that boundaries between sports can be crossed, and that the world’s best athletes are defined not just by their chosen game, but by their dedication, creativity, and skill.

The ad also sparked discussion about the future of soccer in the United States.
With stars like Messi now playing in MLS, the league is poised for continued growth and increased global relevance.
The influx of international talent, combined with savvy marketing and high-profile partnerships, has transformed MLS from a niche competition into a major player on the world stage.

For Messi, the Super Bowl appearance was another chapter in an already legendary career.
From his early days at Barcelona to his triumphs with Argentina and now his new adventure in Miami, Messi has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible on and off the field.
His willingness to embrace new challenges and connect with fans in innovative ways has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

As the dust settled on Super Bowl 59, and the confetti rained down on the victorious Philadelphia Eagles, the buzz surrounding Messi’s commercial remained undiminished.
Fans took to social media to share their favorite moments, analyze the symbolism of the ad, and speculate about what Messi might do next.
For many, the sight of Messi juggling an NFL ball was a highlight of the night—proof that, in the world of sports, the unexpected is always possible.

The Adidas ad, with its clever slogan and dazzling display of skill, will be remembered as one of the most memorable moments of this year’s Super Bowl.
It was a fitting tribute to the power of sport to unite, inspire, and entertain—and a reminder that, whether you call it football or soccer, the magic of the game knows no boundaries.

As the MLS season prepares to kick off, all eyes will be on Messi and Inter Miami.
If the Super Bowl ad is any indication, fans can expect more moments of brilliance, more boundary-breaking performances, and more reasons to celebrate the beautiful game.

In the end, Messi’s message was clear: when one football ends, another begins.
And for sports fans everywhere, that’s something worth cheering for.