"The evolution is evident, but not for the better": Leo Messi's ages through his style

Messi

The Argentine star has experimented with different image changes throughout his successful career. Together with two stylists, we analyze his attempts to become a benchmark in men's fashion

Carlos Megia

Black t-shirt, red swimsuit and white flip-flops. While the world of football and, especially, millions of Catalan fans, held their breath for the possible departure of the highest paid and most acclaimed footballer in history, the aforementioned, Lionel Messi, was more like the customer of a beach bar on Sunday. Neither the public announcement this past September 4 of his continuity at FC Barcelona after having conceived the soap opera that shook the foundations of the Camp Nou motivated him to dress for the occasion.

At 33 years old, and two decades after his signing for Barça that would change the course of this sport, the Argentine star seems to have the same consideration for his public image as when he landed from his native Rosario. Or not? Although far from the media influence of David Beckham or the knowledge of the sector of others such as the Spanish Héctor Bellerín, the 10 Blaugrana has starred in some of the most surprising and commented moments as far as male stars on the red carpet are concerned. Style Icon or Missed Opportunity? These are the ages of Messi through his looks.

From sports basics to awakening fashionista

Leo Messi's first aesthetic statement would not come until the beginning of 2010, when he definitively became the global star he is today. Until then, the Argentine was betting on the basics of his sponsor brand, Adidas, to even attend his first delivery of the Ballon d'Or, the most prestigious individual award in the world of football. His mind in those years seemed to be only focused on what was happening on the field, ignoring, for example, the couple of sizes that were left over for his suits in his first poses at the photocall. “As of 2012, a stylistic evolution is perceived in night looks that, although it is not to our liking, denotes that there is a little more work behind it. Before that, he had opted for too excessive conservatism considering his age, and for suits that did not correspond to his size, ”David Rivas and María Saldaña, founders of the AIGO Studio, an image consultancy and styling studio, explain to Icon. It is behind some appearances by Eduardo Casanova or Álex García.

The day looks will not abandon the basic spirit throughout the star's career, his favorite garments being printed t-shirts (yes, even with skulls), faded wash jeans as marked by the canons of the two thousand (well David Bisbal knows) or bland and too sporty sweatshirts. The recently arrived teenage Messi, the one with the Oliver Atom hairstyle, could afford these clothes, but his permanence in the footballer's current wardrobe prevents him from shining on this field as he does on the game.

Ballon d'Or: missed goal to empty goal

The only concessions to a more daring statement in terms of fashion would take place in the successive Ballon d'Or galas, in which we have seen the most daring and confident Messi. From the hand of Dolce & Gabbana, a firm of which he was his image, the culé star opted for a purple velvet suit in 2012 and a highly commented polka dot tuxedo the following year, while collecting his fourth consecutive award.

Víctor Blanco, stylist of male references such as the model Jon Kortajarena or the Mexican actor Alejandro Speitzer, appreciates the stylistic change that the Argentine underwent at the beginning of the last decade due to his contractual relationship with the Italian brand. “His style of him in those tuxedos was a bit more Beckham-esque. He looks slimmer, everything is more polished, his haircut indicates a more mature age. It shows that there is finally someone behind that image.

Italian designers were also responsible for other impressive and commented outfits, such as the bright red two-piece suit in 2014 and a burgundy tuxedo in 2015. However, the choice of prints and fabrics did not finish consecrating it as an example to follow in the red carpet when he had all the tools (stage, popularity and partners) to score a goal on an empty goal. “The evolution is evident in his looks at night, but we fear that it will not be for the better. There is no defined line and mix styles. He risks, but he does not win”, they say in AIGO Studio.

Platinum blonde and tattoos: this is how he fell into the footballer cliché

Sporting performance also plays an important role in the stylistic trajectory of the 10. In the summer of 2016, after a bittersweet year at FC Barcelona, ​​his problems with the Treasury and the failure with Argentina in the World Cup, Messi decided to “start from scratch and break the mess. The Argentine put aside his humble star image to breathe the air of a bad boy, betting on dying a striking platinum blonde (what footballer has not gone through this phase?), letting a bushy red beard grow and occupying the parts of his skin still virgin to the ink. The face of Jesus Christ that occupies his right arm, the date of his wedding on the ring finger or the name and hands of his children show that he shares an obsession with impregnating his religious beliefs, values ​​and family on his skin, as other players such as David Beckham or Sergio Ramos.

Messi's tattoos are, however, a perfect metaphor for his style: a totum revolutum that in some cases verges on the tacky – the red lip he wears in his groin or the matching crown with his wife give a good account – and, in others, the proof of an incessant search to find what he really likes. The most representative example is on his left leg, which now looks almost completely painted black after modifying an ornate tattoo of which only the famous number 10, the ball and the hands of his son Thiago remain.

'Daddy Messi': from extravagance to simplicity

Once immersed in his thirties, Leo Messi decided to put aside hair and stylistic flourishes, leaning towards classic, mature and more successful combinations. The understated dark gray three-piece Giorgio Armani tuxedo he chose to marry Antonella Rocuzzo in 2017 – precisely a week after turning 30 – was a statement of what was to come. However, although the star has recently subscribed to the wild card of the navy blue suit and white shirt, he is still lacking in emotion and fails to impregnate a personal stamp or a modern touch to his new uniform.

“At this stage he chooses suits without a vest, changes the bow tie for a tie, grows a beard and cuts his hair. It is a more daddy style, of a man already immersed in his thirties”, says Blanco. "He could pass for a lawyer," add sarcastic Rivas and Saldaña. That more mature and restful image continues to contrast with the day to day. In recent summers, he has worn a white polka-dotted mini-swimsuit on his Instagram account that has nothing to do with the striped or checkered ones of colleagues who are much better regarded stylistically as Xabi Alonso. In addition, his commitment to his extreme comfort remains a constant, as he demonstrated in the aforementioned interview with Goal to confirm his continuity in the Spanish league.

A comeback attempt: own fashion brand

The striker's greatest allegation in relation to the world of fashion materialized just a year ago, when he launched his first clothing line, The Messi Store, on the market. Ginny Hilfiger –daughter of the famous designer– and the soccer player's little sister, María Sol, are the minds behind this sports and casual clothing brand. Designed for those who bet on stylistic relief in their day to day life, the firm pays tribute in its prints to the characteristic iconography of the culé star, with references to his gestures of celebration or milestones on the pitch. In short, a merchandising brand, more than fashion.

“Once established as an icon in the world of football, he bets on this streetwear brand because, in addition to being one of the great current trends, it is easier to sell among its millions of young followers”, concludes Víctor Blanco. Beyond the blandness of the collection, his collaboration with Richard James, from the legendary London tailor Savile Row, is surprising, in a few items of clothing such as blazers or Chinese pants. For AIGO Studio, the line is a reflection of his looks over the years: "They don't add anything in terms of fashion."

improvement terrain

Messi's ages through his outfits are a roller coaster of ups and downs that has not yet found the end of destiny. The cool and humble boy is probably much less interested in fashion than his fellow countrymen. With his successes and -numerous- errors, stars like Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar show knowledge and interest in the great luxury houses and status symbols that is not present in Messi's history. He would never wear a full-color Louis Vuitton logo-patterned ensemble like the former or a Balmain-signed mirror jacket like the latter. He's not even a fan of the logo belts that are such a fixture in most footballers' wardrobes.

Just a few months ago, Rachel Johnson, a stylist for athletes who have become global icons such as LeBron James, Serena Williams or Colin Kaepernick, pointed out to the BBC the change required by the athlete. “I would recommend a leather jacket and give what he wears some light. I am obsessed with the idea of ​​seeing him in a double-breasted suit, which would give him a cool and youthful point. And color, color and color. In most of the photos I've seen of him he's wearing dark, navy tones, but if he were to use, say, gray as a base, he could afford to add any color to his look and take it up a notch.” Although the Argentine seems to realize the importance that this 'level rise' has when creating the image of a cultural myth, at least for the moment, he has not been able to find the key to project his own. The motives? Perhaps a lack of real, personal interest in the industry, poor advice, or heightened expectations and pressure. Or probably a mix of all three.

Rules

More information

Hector Bellerín: end of the crossroads of the footballer who is ending machismo on the pitch

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