Soccer superstar Lionel Messi is entering the virtual world like never before. Fans have been playing with Messi in soccer video games for years, whether donning the colors of Inter Miami CF, Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona, or the Argentina National Team. With the release of two new Fortnite skins on December 14, gamers will have the chance to be Messi, rather than just control his team.
The popular video game thrilled fans with a four-word announcement on its social media channels: "Live the Legend. Tonight." This announcement came alongside the release of the new content, which included exciting visuals of the new skins.
Fortnite is releasing two distinct Messi skins. One is the Lionel Messi Outfit, which transforms between the Stealth Lion Messi and Gold Lion Messi, as showcased in the trailer. "Embody the spirit of soccer’s ferocious competitor in a transformative Outfit..." reads Epic Games' description, alluding to Messi's legacy and competitive nature.
The other skin is the Streetwear Spark Messi Outfit, featuring Messi dressed casually in hoodies and jeans, capturing a different aspect of the athlete’s persona. Fans are particularly excited about how the skins reflect Messi's career highlights.
The Mirror reported the combined cost of the skins is set at 2,300 V-Bucks, the game's virtual currency set by Epic Games. To acquire all items included within the Messi bundle, it will run players 2,800 V-Bucks, or approximately $22.99.
The designs of the skins pay homage to Argentina's national colors and call to mind the iconic Albiceleste jerseys. The streetwear version also incorporates touches of the renowned Pink and Black colors of his current Major League Soccer club, Inter Miami. Interestingly, there is no representation of the red and blue tones tied to FC Barcelona, signaling perhaps the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for Messi.
The bundle features two Messi emotes, which observant fans noted derive from classic memes and interviews of the Argentinian forward, providing another layer of engagement for players.
Since joining Fortnite, Messi joins the growing list of real-life celebrities whose likenesses have made their way to this popular battle royale game. Other notable names who have previously featured include Travis Scott, The Weeknd, Juice WRLD, and Billie Eilish. Epic Games has also attracted sports legends like Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, ensuring they remain at the forefront of pop culture representation.
What’s more exciting for fans is the timing, as Messi’s addition is speculated to increase player engagement significantly with the upcoming holiday season. Following Messi’s dynamic presence on the pitch, his virtual avatar is poised to become one of the most sought-after skins within the game's community.
Fans have been waiting with bated breath since leaks suggested Messi's arrival months before the actual announcement. Reliable Fortnite content leakers hinted at the Messi skins, building anticipation for what they deemed one of the biggest football collaborations yet. HYPEX, one of the prominent leakers, confidently claimed, "Messi is coming to Fortnite with two skins very soon," leading to the eventual confirmation by Epic Games.
Beyond just the skins, there’s speculation about additional content being associated with Messi's launch. Insiders have hinted at two pickaxes and two emotes, creating yet another opportunity for fans to immerse themselves within the Messi experience inside Fortnite.
While all of this news is electrifying, it’s important to remain cautious about the rumors until Epic Games makes official announcements. Nonetheless, players can certainly expect to have new Messi-themed customization options very soon.
Messi's Fortnite skins not only celebrate his illustrious career but also reinforce the game's strategy of crossover collaborations—forever linking the realms of sports and video gaming. Fans will soon flock to Fortnite not only to script new legends of their own but also to navigate the vibrant digital universe as one of soccer’s all-time greats.
The Lionel Messi skin will remain available until at least December 29, 2024, enabling players ample time to join the frenzy and explore Messi's digital avatar within the Fortnite metaverse. With this exciting introduction, Messi has truly made his mark, transitioning from the real-world pitch to the virtual battlegrounds—officially, living the legend.
