Messi & Adidas Unveil Season 3 of the ‘Messi 10’ Campaign
Lionel Messi and Adidas unveiled Season 3 of the “Messi 10” campaign, titled “Ten chapters rewriting the future of the game.” As part of the initiative, Messi personally handpicked 10 of the world’s most promising young talents, seven male and three female, who will wear his signature Adidas F50 boots.
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Men’s Prospects
Max Dowman (Arsenal / England)
Age & Position: 16 -Midfielder
Highlights: One of the standout talents in European football. Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history (16 years, 73 days) and the youngest player to feature in the UEFA Champions League (15 years, 308 days).
Gilberto Mora (Tijuana / Mexico)
Age & Position: 17-Attacking Midfielder
Highlights: The youngest goalscorer in Liga MX history (15 years, 320 days). Mora featured for Mexico at the 2025 Gold Cup and became the youngest Mexican international to play at a World Cup.
Tomás Aranda (Boca Juniors / Argentina)
Age & Position: 19 | Attacking Midfielder
Highlights: The sole Argentine selected in Season 3. After making his senior debut for Boca Juniors, Aranda quickly established himself in the first team and earned a senior national team call-up.
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Can Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt / Turkey)
Age & Position: 20 | Forward / Attacking Midfielder
Highlights: A prolific attacker in Germany who registered 8 goals and 4 assists in his debut Bundesliga season with Frankfurt, alongside scoring twice in the Champions League.
Jesús Rodríguez (Como / Spain)
Age & Position: 20 | Winger
Highlights: Moved to Serie A side Como from Real Betis for over €22M, securing 4 goals and 10 assists in a breakout European campaign.
Kees Smit (AZ Alkmaar / Netherlands)
Age & Position: 20 | Midfielder
Highlights: A key playmaker in Dutch football, recognised for his vision and technical maturity in Eredivisie action.
Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake / United States)
Age & Position: 19 | Forward
Highlights: A dynamic attacker from Major League Soccer representing the next wave of North American talent.
Women’s Prospects
Giovanna Waksman (Lyon / Brazil)
Highlights: Considered one of South America’s premier young talents, playing at the top level of women’s club football in Europe with Lyon.
Lotta Wrede (Hamburger SV / Germany)
Highlights: A rising star in German football known for her clinical sharpness and defensive versatility.
Chloe Sarwie (Nordsjælland / Denmark)
Highlights: A standout creative player in Scandinavian football breaking through at the senior level.
Background of the Campaign
History: Adidas first launched the “Backed by Messi” program in 2015, featuring future stars like Timo Werner, Jérémie Boga, and Maxwel Cornet.
Recent Editions: The campaign was revived in 2024–2025 with Season 1 and Season 2, spotlighting breakthrough players including Lamine Yamal, Kenan Yıldız, Nico Paz, Kendry Páez, and Rio Ngumoha.
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