Summary:
- adidas releases F50 TUNiT remake inspired by Messi's 2006 World Cup boots
- Boot features white leather upper with grey curved lines and light blue accents
- Design pairs original aesthetic with modern F50 soleplate technology
adidas continues mining its football boot archives with the release of the F50 TUNiT x Messi. The boot references Lionel Messi's footwear from the 2006 World Cup, marking 20 years since the Argentine forward wore the original version at his first major tournament.
The brand previously brought back the F50 Spider in late 2024. This latest release focuses on the F50 TUNiT line, one of the more recognizable boots from the mid-2000s football era. The timing aligns with two decades since Messi's World Cup debut in Germany.
The 2026 version arrives in a "Lucid Lemon / Team Royal Blue / Lucid Aquamarine" colorway. White leather forms the upper foundation. Grey curved lines cross the lateral side in a wave pattern, repeating the visual signature from the 2006 model. Light blue appears on the heel counter and select upper sections, adding color contrast to the white and grey base.
The original F50 TUNiT system featured interchangeable studs and soleplates, allowing players to swap configurations based on pitch conditions. Messi reportedly wore customized F30i boots at the time, preferring a fixed soleplate over the modular design. The 2026 remake takes a different approach. adidas paired the vintage upper design with the current F50 soleplate structure, combining the aesthetic of the 2006 boot with updated materials and weight distribution.
The update reflects changes in boot construction over the past 20 years. Modern F50 soleplates use lighter synthetic materials and different stud patterns compared to the original TUNiT system. The remake maintains the visual identity while updating the performance foundation.
Franco Mastantuono, an 18-year-old Argentine midfielder now at Real Madrid, has worn the F50 TUNiT during training sessions before the official release date. The choice connects another Argentine player to the boot line Messi wore during his emergence at international level.
The F50 line has seen multiple iterations since 2006. adidas discontinued the range in 2015, then revived it in 2024 with new models. The TUNiT remake adds to this reintroduction strategy, targeting buyers interested in both football history and current performance standards.
The boot represents a specific period in football design when brands experimented with modular systems and bold colorways. The curved grey lines on white leather became a visual marker for mid-2000s football boots. adidas has reproduced these elements while adapting the internal structure and soleplate to match current expectations for weight, fit, and traction.
Messi's association with the F50 line extended through multiple World Cups and club seasons. The 2006 tournament marked his first appearance on that stage, making the original TUNiT boot part of his early professional narrative. The remake references this connection without requiring the original modular system that defined the TUNiT concept.
The release follows a pattern in football boot marketing where brands revisit archive designs with updated materials. These remakes target both older buyers who remember the original releases and younger players drawn to vintage aesthetics. The Messi connection adds profile to a boot that already holds recognition among football followers.
The F50 TUNiT x Messi is available through select adidas retailers and at prodirectsport.com/soccer
Soufiene El Boub
was born and raised in France, where he also pursued his education. With a lifelong passion for sports and storytelling, Soufiene has become a sports editor, known for his insightful analysis writing. His unique perspective, shaped by his French upbringing, adds a distinctive flair to his work in the world of sports journalism.