Portland adidas HQ puts up huge Lionel Messi display as America gets set to finally welcome him
Portland adidas HQ puts up huge Lionel Messi display as America gets set to finally welcome soccer star… but will there be official confirmation of the deal before the big unveiling?
- Lionel Messi is set to be unveiled by Inter Miami this Sunday in Florida
- And Adidas are building the hype at its US headquarters in Portland, Oregon
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Adidas’ US headquarters are all ready for Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami unveiling, with a photo of the building showing it decorated with a massive display of the Argentine superstar.
At the Portland, Oregon site, Messi is shown in a Miami jersey in front of a pink gradient background, in a photo shared by Front Office Sports.
Of course, Messi has not yet actually donned a Miami shirt, with his official unveiling set for this Sunday at DRV PNK Stadium.
It was thought his signing might be confirmed before he was introduced to the Miami fans, but no such announcement has come from his new team thus far.
Nonetheless, there are no doubts or worries about his next move, as he landed in Miami this week and was even spotted grocery shopping at Publix with his family.
Adidas are seemingly excited for the arrival of Messi in MLS ahead of his unveiling
Apple TV is banking on Lionel Messi drawing soccer fans to the company’s streaming service
Adidas’ display in Portland follows a billboard put up by Apple in South Florida.
In a nod to Inter Miami’s color scheme and Messi’s perceived status as the ‘Greatest of All Time,’ Apple’s billboard features a pink goat, alongside the message: ‘now on [Apple logo] TV.’
Apple began a ten-year, $2.5billion streaming deal with MLS this year, and the tech giant is expected to supplement a large portion of Messi’s salary with Miami.
The World Cup winner will make a reported annual salary between $50 million and $60 million in MLS.
There’s also been enthusiasm for Messi thousands of miles away from his new Florida home, as the flagship Adidas store in New York City’s SoHo district was seen decorated with mock-ups of Messi earlier this month.
The store put up displays of him both outside and inside the store, including the messages ‘Impossible is Nothing’ and ‘Bienvenido (welcome) a Miami.’
The windows of adidas’ flagship store in New York are filled with mock-ups of Lionel Messi
A sign reads ‘Bienvenido A Miami’ above a photo of Messi and Inter Miami merchandise
Adidas is also believed to be giving Messi a cut of merchandise sales, while Inter Miami is willing to give him an ownership stake when the 36-year-old eventually retires, according to multiple reports.
Messi is expected to be unveiled alongside ex-Barca teammate Sergio Busquets, who has joined him in Miami.
Jordi Alba is also expected to join the club.
Messi’s much anticipated debut for Miami will come on July 21 vs. Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.
He won’t play in MLS until August 20, though, vs. Charlotte FC.
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