Stanley has announced a big relationship with Lionel Messi, a famous soccer player.
The Inter Miami star is a “longtime Stanley 1913 aficionado” who has used the brand’s South American Mate System for decades, according to a press release. On Thursday morning, the brand announced the Messi x Stanley 1913 partnership in his honor.
The co-branded relationship is meant to honor the love of yerba mate, a traditional South American herbal drink, around the world. Messi will also be an ambassador for the popular line of insulated cups.
“The Messi x Stanley 1913 partnership is a lifetime in the making,” says the press release from Matt Navarro, who is the global president of Stanley 1913. Stanley 1913 has been a part of Leo’s family and life since he was a child in Argentina. We are thrilled and happy to bring you iconic and new products in our Originals and hydration lines that are designed to perform and show Messi’s connection to his sport and culture.
The press statement says that Messi was “deeply involved” in the process of designing the Stanley 1913 collection.
Several items in the collection have the phrase “Start early, stay late,” which is one of his themes, written in all capital letters.
“I am honored to team with Stanley 1913 to innovate and design the co-branded Messi x Stanley 1913 collection,” Messi writes in the release. “I have a real connection to the brand.” My mate and I have a Stanley with us all day. It’s the best drinkware to have together.