Watch: Liverpool star links up with Lionel Messi in new Adidas advert | OneFootball

Florian Wirtz joins Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal in stunning new Adidas campaign

Florian Wirtz’s rapid rise on and off the pitch continues, as the Liverpool midfielder has been unveiled alongside Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal in a striking new global advert for Adidas. The campaign arrives as excitement builds towards the 2026 World Cup in North America and underlines Wirtz’s growing status among football’s elite.

https://x.com/adidasfootball/status/1986418877383721384

Wirtz features in major Adidas global launch

Adidas this week released a new line of international shirts for the 2026–2027 cycle, coinciding with an advert celebrating the brand’s leading ambassadors. Wirtz, Messi, and Barcelona starlet Yamal each play key roles in the high-energy spot, which cleverly nods to the three host nations of the upcoming tournament – the USA, Canada and Mexico.

In the advert, Wirtz is seen weaving past American football players before scoring into an ice hockey net, a playful fusion of sports that symbolises football’s global appeal. The inclusion of both Messi – a veteran and long-time Adidas icon – and Wirtz reflects the company’s intent to connect generations of creative playmakers under one banner.

For Adidas, the partnership with Wirtz also represents an investment in football’s future. The German’s technical precision, composure, and flair have drawn inevitable comparisons to Messi himself, making their shared appearance a powerful marketing moment.

Wirtz’s growing influence for club and country

At 22, Wirtz is already a figure of major significance in European football. His £116 million move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool last summer marked one of the Premier League’s biggest transfers, and while the midfielder has yet to register his first goal for the Reds, his performances have shown glimpses of the brilliance that made him such a coveted talent.

A standout display in Liverpool’s recent win over Real Madrid reminded supporters why the club invested so heavily in him. His intelligent movement, spatial awareness and ability to dictate tempo have quickly made him central to Arne Slot’s plans.

On the international stage, Wirtz remains a pivotal part of Germany’s plans as they seek qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Having missed the 2022 edition through injury, his return to full fitness saw him open Euro 2024 with a goal in Germany’s emphatic 5-1 win over Scotland – a tournament that reignited belief in his potential as a generational talent.

A crucial year ahead for Wirtz

The next eight months could define Wirtz’s early career. Liverpool remain in contention across multiple fronts, and his influence in midfield will be key if they are to challenge for domestic and European silverware. At the same time, Germany’s ambitions are clear: reclaim global dominance when the World Cup final takes place in New Jersey on 19 July 2026.

For Wirtz, balancing expectations for both club and country while handling the growing commercial spotlight – symbolised by his latest Adidas appearance – is a test of maturity as much as ability. Yet, as the advert suggests, he belongs in that conversation among football’s biggest stars.

Messi’s presence alongside him in the campaign serves as both recognition and motivation. The Argentine’s career-long partnership with Adidas is legendary; for Wirtz, sharing that stage signals his arrival in the company of icons.

Adidas betting on football’s next global icons

As Adidas prepares for the World Cup cycle, its strategic focus on players like Wirtz and Yamal underscores a generational transition. Messi remains the benchmark – the bridge between eras – but Wirtz embodies the next chapter of football’s creative evolution.

His blend of vision, technique and composure is tailor-made for modern football’s demands, and the new campaign not only markets shirts and boots but also captures the global narrative of football’s shifting landscape.

If 2026 delivers what many expect – a major international tournament for Germany and a strong season for Liverpool – Florian Wirtz could become not only Adidas’s next major face but one of football’s defining figures of the decade.