How Adidas tapped into motorcycle culture to create Messi’s retro iridescent World Cup cleat

Adidas released the F50 El Ultimo Tango cleats on June 5, designed to honor Lionel Messi's iconic F50.6 TUNiT footwear from his 2006 World Cup debut. These custom cleats, which cost $280 and are now reselling for over $800 on eBay, were developed over a two-year period with significant input from Messi himself. The F50 El Ultimo Tango aims to blend the retro silhouette of the original F50.6 TUNiT with modern Adidas technology, catering to what is likely Messi's final World Cup appearance. The original F50.6 TUNiT, launched in late 2005, was notable for its customizability, offering interchangeable uppers and various stud types to adapt to different playing surfaces and player preferences. For the 2006 tournament, Adidas produced limited-edition uppers, including an Argentinian version with blue and yellow stripes and a metallic winged design that Messi wore.