Lionel Goat 10 By Lionel Messi
For two decades, Lionel Messi has redefined what is possible in the realm of competitive football. For the second time, with the same quiet determination and creative flair, he is leaving his mark on the world of wine. More than a commercial venture, this is the footballer’s legacy project, one crafted to be shared and savoured by both wine lovers and football fans alike. Messi is arguably one of the greatest footballers of his generation, filling stadiums across the globe with fans enthralled with his almost poetic prowess on the pitch. Now, the same legendary touch, grace, and intensity are captured in a glass of wine from a range of European grape varieties by the legend himself.
Messi has stepped again into the world of fine wine, partnering with Swiss company MM Winemaker SA to produce Italian wines in a collection that merges two great passions, football and wine, into a single experience. Each bottle embodies a journey that is a connection between heritage, terroir, and the meticulous craftsmanship of the vintners. The Lionel Collection offers an immersive experience where football mastery meets the art of fine wine, engaging all the senses while signalling prestige, exclusivity, and refinement. Lionel Messi’s vision transforms athletic achievement into curated oenological excellence in a collaboration with an award-winning Swiss and Italian wine producer that represents an intersection of expertise and passion. A celebration of craftsmanship, the wine range is a sophisticated narrative told through vineyard, soil, and grape, designed to appeal to collectors, connoisseurs, and enthusiasts worldwide.
Spanning several distinct wines, across three main categories, the collection’s labels each reflect its region, as well as the varietal, with clarity and elegance along with an invitation for an immersive sensory exploration. The Lionel Goat 10 Valais Johannisberg AOC represents the alpine precision of Switzerland’s Valais wine region and is made using 100 per cent Sylvaner grapes cultivated at high altitudes. This wine has a straw yellow colour with bright highlights, expressing aromas of fresh lime zest, toasted almond, and greengage, with a rich flavour that ends in a tropical finish. It is a balanced and full-bodied varietal, a nod to its Alpine origin, that captures the essence of the sunlit Valais slopes, in an embodiment of the discipline and precision associated with Messi’s career. Pairing it with oyster carpaccio, white fish, or Alpine cheeses highlights its fresh, vibrant character and elevates each tasting into a moment of refined indulgence.
The Lionel Goat 10 Valais Pinot Noir Rosé AOC, a 100 per cent varietal also from Valais, complements the Johannisberg having a delicate salmon hue and fragrant notes of wild strawberries, raspberries, and Alpine blossoms. Stainless-steel fermentation preserves freshness and vibrancy, delivering a lively, refined, and balanced texture in the mouth. It is a representation of vibrant summer elegance, with delicate red-berry aromas and floral nuances creating a lively palate ideal for seafood, light canapés, or fresh summer vegetables. This rosé delivers sophistication in every sip, balancing refinement with approachability while enhancing both flavour and ambiance at any occasion.
Moving to southern Italy’s Puglia region, the Il Papá della Bestia, a wine inspired by the father of Leo Messi, is limited to 10,000 uniquely numbered bottles each of which includes a transferable certificate of ownership. These wines are aged in barrels for up to five years, while safely stored at the MM Winemaker cellar, having been crafted in the sun-drenched vineyards of Puglia. Capturing the essence of Southern Italy, this 100 per cent Primitivo IGT varietal, exhibits deep aromatic notes of red fruits, chocolate, and tobacco, with a refined finish that lingers on the palate. Merging fine wine with digital ownership, it offers both a physical and collectible value while communicating depth, tradition, as well as indulgence, culminating in an experience that is both luxurious and culturally resonant.
The Titanium Collection offers elevated sophistication through two premium wines: Lionel Goat 10 Syrah IGT from the region of Sicily and Lionel Goat 10 Primitivo IGT from Puglia. The Syrah displays aromatic notes comprising dark fruit, pepper, as well as subtle vanilla, blending power and elegance. This makes it an ideal pairing for grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or aged cheeses. The Primitivo IGT presents black cherry, plum, in addition to toasted spice in a complex, layered texture that delivers a sumptuous and memorable finish. It is a wine ideally paired with tomato-based pastas or braised lamb. The collectible packaging, adorned with Messi’s iconic number 10, elevates the experience into a cultural and sensory statement, combining craftsmanship with modern artistry.
Aligning with his pursuit of excellence, these wines demonstrate precision in winemaking, evoking a sense of achievement, prestige and exclusivity that enhances the sensory narrative. From the Alpine precision of Valais to the Mediterranean intensity of Puglia, these bottles offer collectors and wine lovers an immersive, aspirational experience. A reflection of dedicated craftsmanship, each bottle provides a curated encounter with culture, heritage, and taste, offering collectors and enthusiasts a unique opportunity to connect with both terroir and legend. The Lionel Collection allows connoisseurs to celebrate excellence while savouring refinement as they experience Messi’s artistry in a new dimension, ensuring luxury seekers continue to elevate their moments through wine. So, let’s raise a glass to savouring heritage, indulging in sophistication, and celebrating the artistry of life one glass at a time. Salud!
Crafted from grapes grown in Sicily is Lionel Goat 10 Sicilia Syrah IGT. (Photo by MM Winemaker)
