It happened in 2006. A teenager with a messy mop of hair and the number 19 on his back stepped onto a World Cup pitch in Germany, and the world shifted. Lionel Messi was wearing these modular, futuristic boots called the Adidas F50 TUNiT. They were weird. They were bright. And honestly, they were a bit of a headache for everyone except the guy wearing them. Fast forward exactly twenty years to January 2026, and Adidas has just pulled the ultimate nostalgia lever by dropping the new Messi soccer shoes as a reimagined tribute to that very moment.
It’s not just a cash grab for collectors. Well, maybe a little bit. But for anyone who actually plays, these are some of the most interesting performance boots we've seen in a while because they fix the one thing people hated about the originals.
The Return of the F50 TUNiT x Messi
If you weren't around or were too busy playing in leather Copas back then, let me fill you in. The original 2006 TUNiT was basically a Lego set for your feet. You could swap the studs, the chassis, and the upper. It sounded cool on paper. In reality? The studs would rattle loose, and the boot felt stiff because of all the moving parts.
But these new Messi soccer shoes—the 2026 F50 TUNiT remake—trash the modular system entirely.
They kept the look, though. You get that iconic "Lucid Lemon" and "Team Royal Blue" colorway. It's loud. It’s 2000s energy through and through. The upper features those distinctive wavy grey lines on a clean white base. If you look closely at the 2026 version, there’s a subtle nod to the journey: the number 10 sits on the lateral side for the legend he is now, while the number 19 is tucked onto the medial side to remember the kid who started it all in 2006.
It's a clever bit of storytelling. Adidas also slapped three gold stars on the heel, which, let’s be real, is the ultimate flex. In 2006, Argentina only had two.
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Tech Specs: What’s Actually Under the Hood
The 2026 remake isn't a heavy brick like the OG. It's actually a modern F50 Elite disguised as a retro boot.
- Sprintframe 360: Instead of the heavy interchangeable soleplate, you’re getting the ultra-lightweight 360 chassis. It’s snappy. It bends where it should and stays rigid where you need power.
- Fibertouch Upper: The material is thin. Kinda scary thin if you’re worried about getting stepped on, but the ball feel is incredible.
- The "Burrito" Tongue: Messi has famously hated the "sock" trend in soccer shoes. He likes a traditional opening. The new shoes use a knit burrito-style tongue that wraps around the foot but stays open enough for that custom lockdown he prefers.
Honestly, it's a bit of a hybrid. You get the 2006 aesthetic with 2026 weight. If you've ever tried to run in the original TUNiTs, you'll know why this is such a massive upgrade. The new ones feel like you're wearing nothing, whereas the old ones felt like you were wearing clogs.
The Leaked 2026 World Cup Boot: "El Último Tango"
While everyone is scrambling to get the TUNiT remakes, there’s another story brewing. Leaks have basically confirmed that for the 2026 World Cup this summer, Adidas is prepping a signature boot called "El Último Tango." The Last Tango.
That name hits hard. It’s the final bow. According to the early info floating around the boot-nerd forums like Footy Headlines, this boot is going to move away from the solid gold "Triunfo Dorado" style we saw in Qatar. Instead, it’s reportedly going to be a "White / Gold / Sky Blue" masterpiece. Imagine a clean white upper with gold accents that don't look tacky, paired with that classic Argentinian blue.
We’re expecting a June 2026 release for those. If the TUNiTs are about where he started, the Tango is clearly about how he finishes.
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Inter Miami Vibes and the "La Vida Tropical"
If the retro stuff or the high-stakes World Cup drama isn't your thing, the new Messi soccer shoes also branched out into club colors recently. The "La Vida Tropical" pack is basically Inter Miami in shoe form. It uses a "Flash Aqua" and "Lucid Pink" palette that shouldn't work on a soccer field but somehow does.
What’s interesting here is the haptic lines on the upper. Unlike the smooth finish on the TUNiTs, these have jagged 3D textures meant to help with grip when you're dribbling at high speeds. Or, you know, when you're trying to control a ball in the Florida humidity.
How to Actually Get Your Hands on Them
Here’s the thing: Messi boots sell out faster than concert tickets. The F50 TUNiT x Messi dropped on January 13, 2026, and most of the "Elite" versions disappeared from sites like Pro:Direct and the Adidas app within hours.
If you're hunting for a pair now, you have three real options.
First, check the "League" or "Pro" takedown models. They aren't as light as the Elite versions, but they look identical and they’re way more durable for turf or muddy Sunday league pitches. Second, keep an eye on the second-hand market, but watch out for fakes. If the price looks too good to be true, it is. Third, wait for the February 2026 "Signature" drop.
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Adidas is planning a wide release of the F50 Messi Signature in a "White / Flash Aqua / Halo Mint" colorway next month. It’s a retail price of around $260 for the Elites, so start saving those pennies.
Why the "Burrito Tongue" Actually Matters
It sounds like a marketing gimmick. "Burrito tongue." But for players with wider feet or high arches, this is a godsend. Most modern soccer boots have shifted to a one-piece upper that is a nightmare to get on. Messi, being a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to his kit, has forced Adidas to keep a semi-detached tongue design.
This allows for a much wider entry point. It also means you can really crank down the laces to get that "locked-in" feeling without the top of your foot feeling like it's in a vice. It’s one of those small details that makes the new Messi soccer shoes actually wearable for regular humans and not just pro athletes with perfectly narrow feet.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Pair
If you’re ready to upgrade, don't just buy the first pair you see on an Instagram ad.
- Check your surface: The 2026 F50s come in FG (Firm Ground), AG (Artificial Grass), and Turf. The FG studs on the new Sprintframe 360 are quite aggressive; if you play on thin 3G turf, you’re asking for an ACL injury. Get the AG version.
- Size up half a step: Adidas F50s have historically run a bit tight. The 2026 models with the Fibertouch upper don't stretch much. If you're between sizes, go up.
- App alerts are mandatory: Download the Adidas Confirmed app and set notifications for "Messi." That’s the only way you’re getting the "El Último Tango" in June without paying a 300% markup on StockX.
The evolution from 2006 to 2026 is wild. We went from heavy, modular plastic to boots that feel like a second skin. Whether you want the nostalgia of the TUNiT or the futuristic tech of the upcoming World Cup models, the current era of Messi footwear is arguably the best it has ever been.