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As Lionel Messi prepares to defend the World Cup with Argentina in what is expected to be his sixth and final tournament, Adidas honors his journey with a special pair of boots: El Ultimo Tango.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is around the corner. Most nations’ squads have been released and among the participating nations, a few stand out as genuine contenders regardless of their opposition. One of them is defending champion Argentina.
The Argentinian squads have enjoyed unprecedented success throughout the 2020s, driven by emerging young talent, a thriving development system, and the never-ending greatness of Lionel Messi.
The History of Messi’s World Cup Boots
As Messi enters his sixth and likely final FIFA World Cup, he does so wearing another iconic pair of boots. Throughout his World Cup career, he has laced up several legendary Adidas models: different versions of the F50 in 2006, 2010, and 2014; the Nemeziz in 2018; and the golden X Speedportal in 2022.
For 2026, during his 20th year with Adidas, Messi returns to the boot that defined much of his early career: the F50.
This special edition is called “El Ultimo Tango,” Spanish for The Last Dance. If that isn’t a clear indication of what this World Cup means for Messi, Argentina, Adidas, and football itself, then nothing is.
20 Years With Adidas
From Rosario to Barcelona, Paris, Miami, and stadiums all around the world, Lionel Messi has always represented the Three Stripes.
Messi made his FIFA World Cup debut in 2006 as a long-haired teenager overflowing with talent and promise. Twenty years later, he stands as one of the greatest footballers in history. A legend for club, country, and the brand he has faithfully represented throughout his career. Few athlete-brand partnerships have endured as long or achieved as much.
This Is Leo Messi’s El Ultimo Tango
Twenty years after his first World Cup appearance, Messi is preparing for one final dance on football’s biggest stage.
His international journey has been anything but straightforward. He carried the immense expectations of a football-obsessed nation, endured heartbreaking defeats in major finals, and came agonizingly close to glory in 2014.
He eventually lifted his first Copa America trophy, ended Argentina’s long wait for international silverware, and finally achieved the ultimate dream by leading his country to a third World Cup title in Qatar in 2022. Finally, a third star. The little boy from Rosario has seen it all. Now, he arrives at the twilight of his international career not as a player chasing trophies and praises, but as a champion defending his crown.
There is no bigger stage than the FIFA World Cup. To return as the face of your nation and the defending champion is already a remarkable story in itself. At the same time, a new generation is ready to carry Argentina forward. Players like Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez have emerged as leaders in their own right, just as they did during the victorious 2022 campaign. The upcoming tournament may not only be about another World Cup run, it may also be about passing the torch.
While Messi remains capable of competing at the highest level, there is little left for him to prove. He has conquered every major trophy available, broken countless records, and cemented his place among football’s immortals.
Whether Argentina successfully defends its title or not, the upcoming World Cup will serve as another chapter in a legacy that has already transcended the sport. Twenty years later, the numbers tell part of the story with 26 FIFA World Cup appearances, 13 goals, 8 assists, 2 Golden Ball awards, 1 World Cup title, and another tournament incoming. A career unlike any other.
Adidas F50 ‘El Ultimo Tango‘
A historic milestone deserves a special boot. It has been 20 years since Messi first wore the Adidas F50 on football’s biggest stage, and for what is expected to be his final World Cup, the iconic silhouette returns.
The F50 “El Último Tango” features a predominantly clean white base complemented by elegant sky-blue detailing inspired by Argentina’s national colors. Gold accents highlight key elements of the design, paying tribute to Messi’s achievements, championship pedigree, and a callback to the gold-dominated boots he wore in 2022.
Perhaps the most striking feature is the aggressive, claw-like interpretation of Adidas’ iconic Three Stripes, giving the boot a modern edge while maintaining the heritage of the classic F50 line and the result is a perfect blend of past and present.
In many ways, it feels full circle.
The teenager who once arrived at the World Cup as a rising star now returns as a living legend. A legend of Barcelona, Argentina, Adidas, and most importantly, the beautiful game itself.
The boots may be called El Ultimo Tango. But for football fans around the world, they represent something even bigger: one final World Cup dance from arguably the greatest of all time.
Banner Images from Adidas Football on Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
Messi is wearing the Adidas F50 “El Ultimo Tango” at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — a special edition boot built on the iconic F50 silhouette, featuring a white base with sky-blue and gold detailing drawn from Argentina’s national colors and Messi’s 2022 championship boots.
El Ultimo Tango is Spanish for “The Last Dance.” Adidas chose the name to mark what is widely expected to be Messi’s sixth and final FIFA World Cup — framing the 2026 tournament as a farewell to his international career on football’s biggest stage.
Messi wore the Adidas F50 in 2006, 2010, and 2014; the Nemeziz in 2018; and the gold X Speedportal in 2022. For 2026, he returns to the F50 with the El Ultimo Tango special edition, completing a full-circle moment in his 20-year partnership with Adidas.
Across his World Cup career, Messi has recorded 26 appearances, 13 goals, and 8 assists. He has won 2 Golden Ball awards and one World Cup title — with Argentina’s historic 2022 triumph in Qatar.
Messi has been an Adidas athlete for 20 years as of 2026, making the 2026 World Cup a milestone anniversary for one of football’s longest-running and most decorated athlete-brand partnerships.