Fans have noticed Lionel Messi's name written on the official Adidas World Cup ball

Lionel Messi of Argentina controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium on December 13, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Image credit: Markus Gilliar - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)

The World Cup trophy might well have Lionel Messi's name written on it… and so might the ball. 

Messi has perhaps been the standout player in Qatar and during another spectacular performance in the semi-final against Croatia, Adidas debuted their new ball for the semi-finals and final. We've been using the Al Rihla up until now, a technicolour beast that went down well with fans – only for the final four games of the tournament (the third-place play-off, too) to bring in the Al Hilm.

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Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.