Sneaker culture is weird. One day everyone is wearing chunky dad shoes, and the next, we’re all scrambling for a slim indoor soccer trainer from the 60s. But the Bad Bunny Messi Gazelle isn't just another colorway. It’s actually a pretty massive cultural collision. Think about it. You’ve got the biggest musical artist on the planet and the greatest soccer player to ever lace up boots. Both are icons of the Spanish-speaking world. Both are Adidas lifers.
It makes sense.
When rumors first leaked about a three-way collaboration between Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio and Lionel Messi, people thought it was fan fiction. It wasn't. The "Bad Bunny x Messi" collection officially dropped in late 2024, centering around two specific silhouettes: the F50 soccer cleat and the Gazelle Indoor. While the cleats are for the pitch, the Gazelle is for the pavement. It’s the shoe you actually see people wearing at the bodega or the club.
Honestly, the design is a bit of a departure from Bad Bunny’s previous Adidas hits. If you remember the "Forum Buckle Low," those things were thick. They were padded, heavy, and loud. This Gazelle? It’s stripped back. It’s sophisticated.
The Design Details You Probably Missed
The Bad Bunny Messi Gazelle uses a "Cardboard" and "Cream White" color palette. That sounds boring on paper. It’s not. In person, the leather quality is surprisingly high-end. They used a premium aniline leather that's supposed to age and patina over time. Most sneakers today use plastic-coated "action leather" that looks the same until it cracks. This is different.
One of the coolest—and weirdest—parts of the shoe is the "distorted" T-toe overlay. On a standard Gazelle, that suede piece on the toe is symmetrical. Here, it’s warped. It stretches further down the lateral side of the shoe. It’s a subtle nod to the "Benito" aesthetic of breaking rules.
Then you have the signatures.
Look at the heel. You’ll see the famous Adidas stripes, but they’ve been modified. The most important detail, though, is the names. On many versions of this collab, the lateral side features the names "Benito" and "Leo" in a gold foil cursive script. It’s a literal signature of approval from two legends.
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The tongue is also "double-layered." This has become a staple of the Bad Bunny Adidas line. It gives the shoe more structure and makes it feel a bit more substantial than a standard $90 pair of Gazelles you’d find at a mall.
Why This Partnership Actually Matters for Adidas
Money. Well, obviously money. But it’s deeper than a quick cash grab.
Adidas has been in a weird spot lately. After the whole Yeezy fallout, they needed a new "North Star." They found it in the "Terrace" trend—shoes like the Samba, Gazelle, and Spezial. By linking the Bad Bunny Messi Gazelle to this trend, Adidas solidified the Gazelle as the "it" shoe for the mid-2020s.
Messi moving to Inter Miami changed everything for the brand in North America. Suddenly, soccer wasn't just a niche sport for kids in the suburbs; it was cool. It was "street." When you pair that Miami-fueled Messi mania with Bad Bunny’s grip on global streaming charts, you get a product that appeals to everyone from hardcore sneakerheads in Tokyo to "fútbol" fans in Buenos Aires.
The strategy is working. According to secondary market data from platforms like StockX and GOAT, the resale value for the Bad Bunny Messi Gazelle has stayed remarkably stable. Usually, a "hype" shoe spikes and then crashes. These have maintained a consistent premium. That suggests real demand, not just bot-fueled speculation.
The "X" Factor: The Letter to the Fans
When the shoe launched, it wasn't just a random Instagram post. Adidas released a campaign based on letters written by fans to both Messi and Bad Bunny. The catch? The letters were actually written by Messi to Bad Bunny, and vice versa.
Messi talked about how Benito’s music is on every playlist in the locker room. Bad Bunny talked about watching Messi play and how that "10" jersey represents hope for every Latin American kid.
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It felt... real?
In an era of soulless influencer collabs where a TikToker just picks a color and calls it a "design," this felt like a genuine mutual admiration society. You can see that reflected in the shoe's "dirty" or "vintage" look. It’s meant to look like it’s been worn. It’s meant to look like it has a history.
How to Actually Style the Bad Bunny Messi Gazelle
If you managed to snag a pair, don't overthink the outfit. These aren't high-top basketball shoes that require specific pants.
- The "Inter Miami" Look: Pair them with light-wash denim and a linen shirt. It leans into that South Beach aesthetic that Messi has been championing lately.
- The Benito Vibe: Go wide. Baggy work pants or oversized trousers that slightly stack on top of the shoe. Because the Gazelle is a slim silhouette, the contrast with big pants looks intentional and modern.
- The Classic Sportswear: Honestly, just a pair of high-quality track pants. But keep them tapered. You want to show off the "Benito" and "Leo" signatures on the side.
Avoid skinny jeans. Seriously. It’s 2026. Let them go.
Common Misconceptions and Resale Realities
A lot of people think the Bad Bunny Messi Gazelle is a limited "Friends and Family" release. It’s not. While it was hard to get on the initial Confirmed app drop, there were several waves of stock.
Another mistake? People think it fits like a Samba. It doesn't. The Gazelle Indoor sole unit (which this shoe uses) is slightly wider and more cushioned than the standard Samba OG. If you have wide feet, you might actually find these comfortable in your true size, whereas you’d usually have to size up in other Adidas soccer-style shoes.
One thing to watch out for is the "F50" version of this collab. There is a version of the Gazelle that features the "F50" branding, which is a callback to the boots Messi wore during some of his most iconic Barcelona years. Make sure you know which one you’re buying on the secondary market, as the "F50" versions tend to have slightly different materials on the heel tab.
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The Future of the Benito x Leo Era
This isn't the end.
Rumors are already swirling about a second colorway for 2025/2026. We might see a "Home" and "Away" concept, perhaps leaning into the pink of Inter Miami or the blue and white of the Argentina national team.
But for now, the tan and cream Bad Bunny Messi Gazelle remains the gold standard. It’s a rare example of a "triple threat" collaboration that actually lives up to the hype. It’s not just a shoe; it’s a timestamp of a moment when Latin culture completely took over the global mainstream.
Actionable Steps for Buyers
If you are looking to add these to your collection, follow these steps to ensure you don't get burned:
- Verify the Leather: Real pairs use aniline leather. If the "leather" feels like plastic or smells like chemicals, it’s a fake. The real ones have a distinct, natural leather scent.
- Check the Box: The packaging for this collab is unique. It features a custom "Bad Bunny x Messi" box with tissue paper that matches the theme. Most "high-quality" reps get the box dimensions wrong.
- Size Half a Size Down: Like most Adidas Gazelles, these run a bit long. If you want a snug fit for that classic look, consider going 0.5 size down from your Nike size.
- Check the Translucent Sole: The gum sole on the Gazelle Indoor should be slightly translucent. You should be able to see a hint of the upper through the side of the midsole. If it’s solid, opaque rubber, stay away.
The secondary market is currently the only way to get these if you missed the retail window. Prices are hovering around the $180-$250 range depending on size. Given the names attached to the project, it’s unlikely these will ever be "cheap" again. They are a piece of history. Use a reputable authentication service and enjoy the fact that you’re wearing the work of two of the greatest to ever do it.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
Keep an eye on the Adidas Confirmed app for "Restock" notifications, as canceled orders sometimes filter back into the system months after the initial drop. Additionally, look into the Adidas Gazelle Indoor mainline colors if you love the shape but aren't ready to pay the Bad Bunny price premium. Many of the "standard" 2026 colorways use similar materials without the celebrity markup.