After days filled with teasers and leaks, Lionel Messi has officially joined the ranks of Fortnite, much to the delight of fans around the world. Epic Games, the visionary company behind the highly popular Battle Royale game, has welcomed the football superstar as the latest member of the Fortnite Icon Series. Given Messi's illustrious career, which includes scoring over 850 senior goals and winning eight Ballon d'Or awards, this collaboration has fans buzzing with excitement.
The Item Shop now features two unique skins for players eager to step onto the battlefield as one of soccer’s greatest legends. The first skin is quite recognizable, adorned with Messi’s black away kit reminiscent of the Argentinian national team where he made his mark. The default outfit is paired with the captain's armband, making it especially appealing for those who admire Messi's leadership on and off the field.
Yet Messi’s offerings don’t stop there. The second skin, dubbed Streetwear Spark Messi, showcases him sporting casual attire—a pair of jeans and a white hoodie emblazoned with the number 10, paying tribute not just to his iconic jersey number but also to his recent stint with Inter Miami. Fans of Fortnite can hardly contain their excitement, with many claiming this collaboration is among the most awaited updates yet.
Purchasing the Messi skins is as easy as logging onto Fortnite’s Item Shop. The standard bundle retails for 2,800 V-Bucks, but individual skins can be bought separately for 1,800 V-Bucks and 1,500 V-Bucks, respectively. Alongside these skins, the bundle also includes various Back Blings such as the Number 10 Back Bling and the Portable Playmaker Back Bling, along with two Pickaxes named Goated Glaive and Fancy Futbol, each costing 800 V-Bucks if purchased alone.
Yet, perhaps the most unexpected and entertaining aspect of this collaboration is the #1 Fan Llama Emote. Released as part of Messi’s bundle, this emote cleverly references one of the most iconic memes associated with the player—where he humorously states his own name by mimicking the sound of a goat, proclaiming himself the G.O.A.T., or Greatest Of All Time. The emote summons a golden llama adorned with confetti, enthralling fans with its audacity and comedic undertone.
"Reacting to the meme, the community was in absolute splits," noted popular leaker and data miner @Hypex, reflecting the sentiments many players share. The incorporation of this emote showcases Epic Games' knack for innovation and ensuring they keep their offerings fresh and entertaining, as pointed out by User @Ceo_Branding on social media platform X. "Fortnite knew the sweet spot and was always a frontrunner when it came to innovation," they declared.
While many are thrilled about Messi's new role within the game, the reaction hasn’t been universally positive. Some fans have expressed disappointment, arguing the game should have included other players instead, especially considering the long-standing debate between Messi and rival Cristiano Ronaldo. Nevertheless, the overall response has been enthusiastic, with players excitedly gearing up to get their hands on this much-anticipated content.
For those eager to snag the Messi skins and emotes, timings are key as Epic Games has yet to confirm how long these exclusive items will remain available. The Fortnite Item Shop makes daily refreshes, meaning these coveted skins and emotes could vanish as quickly as they arrived. So, for fans hoping to live out the thrilling fantasy of playing as Messi, the time is now to act.
Epic Games continues to round out their Icon Series roster with this latest release, adding another layer of depth to the gaming experience. With every collaboration, they celebrate not just the individuals featured but also the culture surrounding those events—be it through humor, nostalgia, or sheer admiration for sporting legends. Messis arrival may very well set the stage for future collaborations, keeping players engaged and entertained.
With the launch now live, players can venture forth with Messi’s stylish skins, proving once again how Fortnite remains at the intersection of gaming and global pop culture. From the youthful exuberance of fans gleefully rushing to their consoles to the timely reminder of what makes gaming so special, this collaboration showcases the power of not only entertaining gameplay but also the vibrant communities harboring true legends.
