Inside Lionel Messi's Match Worn Adidas X Speedflow.1 Boots: in-Depth Review

Lionel Messi: Inside the Bespoke Adidas X Speedflow.1 Boots Worn by the Greatest of All Time

 

Few names in world sport command the same reverence as Lionel Messi. An eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, record breaker in every sense, and global icon, Messi’s legacy is cemented not only through his extraordinary achievements but also through the ultra-rare pieces of history he leaves behind — his match-worn boots.

In this feature, we take an in-depth, premium look at a truly exceptional pair of Messi match-worn Adidas X Speedflow.1 “Sapphire Edge” boots, used during the early months of 2022 while playing for Paris Saint-Germain. The level of bespoke craftsmanship, custom engineering and personalised detailing in Messi’s boots goes far beyond anything available at retail. These are not simply football boots — they are precision-built performance tools created exclusively for the greatest to ever play the game.

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A Rare Opportunity: Match-Worn Boots From a Once-in-a-Generation Athlete

Acquiring authentic Messi match-worn items is notoriously difficult. His bespoke footwear is handmade for him in Adidas’ Athlete Services facility in Herzogenaurach, Germany — a workshop reserved only for Adidas’ most elite endorsers. For collectors, pieces of this calibre sit among the most secure long-term investments in the football memorabilia market.

This pair, part of the “Sapphire Edge” pack, were worn by Messi in competitive fixtures for PSG between January and February 2022. Their scarcity, condition, and direct pitch use make them one of the most desirable modern-era Messi artefacts accessible to private collectors.

 

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Built Exclusively for Messi: A Level of Customisation Retail Models Don’t Come Close To

While the public version of the Adidas X Speedflow.1 is marketed as a lightweight speed boot, Messi’s match-worn equivalent is an entirely different product beneath the surface. Every component — from the insole to the soleplate — has been individually engineered to match his biomechanics, movement patterns, and comfort preferences.

 

 

Made-to-Measure Construction

 

Inside each boot is a stitched size label (not bonded, like retail) stamped with the internal Adidas “MTM” identifiers and Messi’s exact sizing: UK 8 in both feet. Like many professionals, Messi requires fully bespoke lasts — the moulds that shape the boot — giving him a fit that cannot be replicated off the shelf.

 

Orthopaedic Performance Insoles

Messi’s insoles are dramatically different from retail versions:

• Thickened white performance foam for impact absorption
• A luxurious natural suede lining
• Pronounced anatomical curvature tailored to his arch and metatarsal shape
• Extra-wide midfoot construction
• Custom perforation patterns to match the interior board

These insoles alone are a testament to the level of detail afforded to the world’s top athletes.

 

Reinforced Internal Insole Board

 

While the standard X Speedflow.1 uses a minimal forefoot board to reduce weight, Messi’s pair feature a full-length reinforced insole plate, resulting in:

• Considerably increased stiffness
• Reduced torsional flex
• Enhanced protection
• Unique responsiveness tailored to Messi’s playing style

 

This internal engineering completely changes the behaviour of the boot under stress — especially during quick cuts, acceleration and ball contact.

 

 

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A Look Inside: Custom Internal Padding & Structural Reinforcement

One of the most striking differences lies in the internal construction, particularly, the heels.

 

The heel area of the retail boot contains two small pillow cushions. Messi’s version, however, features:

• A fully padded heel chamber
• Padding running from the base of the heel up into the midfoot
• A soft pink interior fabric rather than synthetic lining
• Elevated heel height (approx. +15mm compared to retail)

This creates exceptional lock-in and comfort — crucial for his explosive lateral movement.

Looking further into the internals of Messi’s version, there are again more modifications. In this section, we find:

• A fully padded throughout custom interior lining
• The custom padding is lined in a premium white suede material
• This runs the full length of the interior of the boot from where the heel lining ends, throughout the remainder (essentially, the midfoot forwards)
• Approximately 10mm of padding throughout this section of the boot, providing a super comfortable fit for Leo & softer touch on the ball
• The size labels state 'INVIERNO', which translates to 'winter', so it could well be that this padding is there also to keep his feet warm during the winter months in which this pair were manufactured for him to wear in

 

Dual Heel Counter System

Retail models use only the external Speedframe heel counter. Messi’s boots include both:

• The external heel counter
• A thick internal counter running deep into the midfoot

 

This internal structure dramatically increases stability and is reminiscent of the turf model rather than the standard FG version.

 

 

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Personalisation: Iconic Details Unique to the GOAT

No Messi boot is complete without his signature personalisation:

• Argentina flag on the left boot
• Number 10 on the right boot
• His children’s names and dates of birth:
  
  • Thiago – 02.11.12
  • Mateo – 11.09.15
  • Ciro – 10.03.18
• “Anto” — for Antonela Roccuzzo
  

Interestingly, PSG squad number 30 does not appear on this pair — instead, his iconic '10' is present, a subtle nod to the number that defined his Barcelona legacy.

 

 

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The Famous “Burrito” Tongue: A Messi-Only Feature

Perhaps the most well-known Messi customisation: the iconic split, wrap-around Primeknit burrito tongue. This bespoke detail is entirely unlike the one-piece retail upper:

• The medial side is extended to wrap around his foot
• Additional padded lining is fused under the tongue
• The central knit pull tab is shifted towards the medial side

 

This provides a locked-in, glove-like feel entirely unique to Messi.

 

 

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A Soleplate Like No Other

The outsole is where Messi’s engineering becomes truly extraordinary. Adidas desined an entirely custom version of the Speedframe personal to Leo.

Although visually similar to the public Speedframe, Messi’s is a bespoke mould:

• Reinforced midfoot
• Different stud shapes throughout
• Altered stud positioning with millimetre accuracy
• Central diamond stud featuring Messi’s personal logo

 

The “Gambatrax” Conical Studs

 

Since the 2010 F50 Adizero, Messi has always used conical (rounded) studs on the front two and back two positions — a system called Gambatrax. Adidas even brought this exact stud setup to the public on the Messi 15.1. His PSG match-worn pair continues that tradition, as have his Inter Miami pairs which have subsequently followed.

This stud layout is designed for elite-level pitches only — unsuitable for typical amateur surfaces, but perfect for the pristine grass Messi plays on daily. Adidas have even flaunted just how bespoke the mould is here by debossing Messi's iconic logo on the central stud of the forefoot.

 

Unique Shape, Width & Fit: 100% Custom

 

Messi’s boots are built around a last completely different from the retail model:

• Extremely wide midfoot
• A continuous lateral curvature
• A specialised heel-to-toe profile that mirrors his orthotic insole shape

 

No two parts of these boots match anything you could buy in a store.These are, quite literally, one-of-one engineering masterpieces.

 

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A Player Whose Legacy Transcends the Sport

Messi’s impact on football is simply unparalleled:

• Record 8 Ballon d’Or awards
• Over 1,300 career goals + assists
• 2021 Copa América winner
• 2022 FIFA World Cup winner
• Globally recognised as the greatest of all time

 

Match-worn memorabilia from a player of this magnitude is among the most sought-after assets in modern collecting — and historically one of the most stable categories for long-term value growth.

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Final Thoughts

This pair of match-worn Adidas X Speedflow.1 boots, customised and engineered exclusively for Lionel Messi, represents far more than sporting equipment. They are a tangible piece of football history — a rare insight into the precision behind the performances of the greatest player ever to grace the pitch.

What do you think of Messi’s bespoke construction?

Would you invest in this pair for your collection?