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Fashion and sports share a rich history of mutual influence. Athletes not only serve as style icons but also play a vital role in shaping fashion trends. Let's explore the 7 biggest collaborations between fashion brands and football players.
Zlatan Ibrahimović and H&M Move
H&M announced a long-term partnership with Zlatan Ibrahimović as the brand’s global ambassador for H&M Move, launching a campaign in Spring 2023, which began in August 2022. The collaboration focuses on sportswear, activewear, and athleisure, perfectly aligning with the target audience. Ibrahimović is the ideal figure to introduce H&M Move’s upcoming sports collection and footwear line.
Kylian Mbappé and Hublot
Kylian Mbappé has been a Hublot ambassador since 2018, forming a successful partnership to promote the brand in the world of luxury fashion. He has appeared in numerous Hublot advertising campaigns, including the Big Bang campaign in 2019, emphasizing his speed and agility on the field.
Beyond ads, Mbappé collaborated with Hublot designers to create a limited-edition collection of watches. In addition to being the face of the brand, he has also been involved in various charity initiatives with Hublot, such as the 2020 auction of custom-designed watches to raise funds for Covid-19 relief efforts.
Marcus Rashford and Burberry
In collaboration with Marcus Rashford, Burberry launched a charity initiative for youth in the UK, aiming to empower young people by providing them with resources for success. This partnership includes significant donations to Rashford’s FareShare charity, which helps underprivileged families across the UK.
Burberry also supports other youth charities, including Football Beyond Borders, which encourages education and personal development through football. The partnership extends into fashion, with Rashford collaborating with Burberry’s design team to create a limited-edition clothing collection.
Lionel Messi and Adidas
Lionel Messi’s partnership with Adidas, which began in 2006, has evolved into one of Adidas’ most high-profile collaborations. Adidas has released a range of signature boots and clothing lines dedicated to Messi, featuring him in major ad campaigns, such as the Nemeziz range.
In 2017, Messi signed a lifetime contract with Adidas, making him not just a brand ambassador, but also an active contributor to the development and design of products. He works alongside Adidas designers to create custom football boots and apparel.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Nike
Cristiano Ronaldo’s collaboration with Nike has been a huge success since 2003. He has been the face of numerous Nike campaigns, including the famous 2010 “Write the Future” campaign.
Nike has also launched several signature football boots and apparel lines under Ronaldo’s name, including the CR7 collection. The player actively collaborates with Nike in designing custom boots, such as the Mercurial Superfly CR7, which reflects his unique style and personality.
Neymar Jr. and Puma
In September 2020, Neymar Jr. signed a long-term partnership with Puma, ending his association with Nike. He became the face of Puma’s football division, wearing Puma football boots on the pitch and appearing in the brand’s advertising campaigns.
Neymar also worked with Puma designers to create the Puma Future Z, a boot that incorporates his distinctive style and personality. The collaboration extends beyond fashion, including charity initiatives.
Mo Salah and Adidas X Gucci Collection
Mo Salah is the face of the second Adidas x Gucci campaign, which features exclusive Adidas products, such as tracksuits, zip-up long-sleeve tops, graphic T-shirts, and sweatpants. Additionally, the collection introduced four new collaborative designs of Adidas’ iconic football boots, blending elements from both brands.
Football and fashion continue to merge, inspiring artists and captivating millions of fans worldwide. The collaborations between sports icons and fashion brands provide countless benefits, from promoting products and supporting charitable initiatives to bridging the worlds of sport and fashion, influencing trends both on and off the pitch.