Not only does Messi’s drink have a sky-high price tag of up to one million dong, but it also sparks discussions about its interface and the taste of the product.

Soccer legend Lionel Messi isn’t just an icon on the pitch, he’s also revolutionizing the sports drink market with the launch of his own product. Namely, the soccer superstar has partnered with White Claw’s parent company to create a new electrolyte supplement drink called Más+. This marks his entry into a $33 billion market dominated by established competitors like Prime, Gatorade, and BodyArmor.

Messi’s Más+ is a low-sugar electrolyte and vitamin drink that contains no artificial sweeteners, colors or caffeine. Its drink has 10 calories per 480 ml bottle and comes in four flavors, including Miami Punch, a tribute to his current team, Orange d’Or, Limon Lime League and Berry Copa Cush. It will first arrive in Miami stores on June 13, 2024, then will be available on the brand’s website in July and in US supermarkets in August.

It can be said that the launch of Más+ has generated a strong wave of public opinion, quickly attracting the attention of the media and fans, as it is the first sports drink founded by “El Pulga”, football legend Lionel Messi and his wife Antonela Rocuzzo. Although the global launch is expected to take place later this year, many fans have quickly ordered their idol’s drink to enjoy. However, in addition to excitement, there are also many mixed opinions about the quality and uniqueness of this product.

Controversial design

Since its launch, Más+ has attracted attention not only for Messi’s name, but also for its packaging design. Some have pointed out that Más+’s design closely resembles that of KSI and Logan Paul’s billion-dollar sports drink brand ‘Prime’. Prime Hydration launched in January 2022, the brainchild of YouTuber Logan Paul and KS, and has quickly become a brand favourite.

Prime’s packaging features bright colours, large lettering and a minimalist yet eye-catching design, and it is this formula that Más+ seems to have copied very faithfully. The similarity has led to a huge debate on social media about whether Messi’s team was inspired by Prime’s success or if the resemblance is just a coincidence.

Fans feel that the quality does not match the price, sports enthusiasts say that the taste is reasonable

Low in calories, low in sugar and free of artificial sweeteners, Más+ aims to provide users with energy and electrolytes effectively after exercise. Those who have tried Más+ after exercise agree that this drink really helps the body recover and provide energy quickly. However, for those who are not used to it or do not exercise regularly, drinking Más+ may not be a pleasant experience.

Some people praise the refreshing taste and easy drinking, especially after exercise, this drink provides enough electrolytes and vitamins needed to help the body relax and recover. In addition, this drink is for athletes, low in calories with 10 so it is low in sugar, so here the focus is on the benefits it brings to the user’s health. However, there are also opinions that the taste of Mas+ is very bland and the price is too high compared to similar products on the market, especially when compared to Prime, Gatorade or BodyArmor.

With a retail price of around 1 million VND for a box of 8 bottles, which is about 126,000 VND per bottle of water, the question is whether Más+ is really worth that money or not. The answer depends on each person’s personal needs and preferences. If you are looking for a nutritious and delicious sports drink with the Lionel Messi brand, Más+ may be the right choice. However, if you are concerned about the price, you can consider other products on the market that are similarly or lower priced.

Messi’s Más+ has undoubtedly generated a lot of attention thanks to his celebrity status and the eye-catching design of the product. However, it remains to be seen whether it can really live up to consumers’ expectations. The similarity to Prime may be an advantage in attracting initial attention, but the actual quality and value of the product will be the deciding factor. If it relies solely on Messi’s name without ensuring the quality of the product, Más+ may struggle to maintain consumer support. On the other hand, if Más+ is truly quality and brings practical benefits to users, the brand has the potential to become a new phenomenon in the sports drinks industry.