Not only does Messi’s drink have a sky-high price of up to a million dong, it also makes people argue about its interface and product flavor.

Soccer legend Lionel Messi isn’t just an icon on the pitch, he’s also shaking up the sports drink market with his own new product launch. Specifically, the soccer superstar has teamed up 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 Prime, Gatorade, and BodyArmor.

Messi’s Más+ is a low-sugar electrolyte and vitamin drink that contains no artificial sweeteners, colors or caffeine. Their drink has 10 calories per 480ml 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 hit stores in Miami on June 13, 2024, then 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 created a strong wave of public opinion, quickly attracting the attention of the media and fans because this 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, besides the 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 because of Messi’s name but also because of its packaging design. Some have noted that the design of Más+ looks very similar to 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 favorite brand.

Prime’s packaging features bright colors, large letters, and a minimalist yet striking design, and it’s this formula that Más+ appears to have copied very closely. The similarity has led to much debate on social media about whether Messi’s team was inspired by Prime’s success, or whether the resemblance is just a coincidence.

Fans find the quality not commensurate with the price, sports enthusiasts say 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 an enjoyable experience.

Some people praise the refreshing and easy-to-drink taste, especially after exercise, this drink provides enough electrolytes and vitamins needed to support the body to relax and recover. In addition, this drink is for athletes, low calories at 10 so low in sugar, so the focus here is on the benefits it brings to the health of the user. 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 VND1 million for a box of 8 bottles, which is around VND126,000/bottle of water, the question is whether Más+ is really worth that money or not? The answer depends on each person’s needs and personal preferences. If you are looking for a nutritious, delicious sports drink with the Lionel Messi brand, Más+ may be the right choice. However, if you are concerned about price, you can consider other products on the market that are priced similarly or lower.

Messi’s Más+ has certainly generated a lot of attention thanks to his celebrity status and the product’s eye-catching design. However, whether it can actually live up to consumer expectations remains an open question. 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 product quality, 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 drink industry.