The story behind Bad Bunny’s choice of Messi’s No. 19 jersey during his Argentina concert
After electrifying the Super Bowl, the global star reignites his tour with a symbolic football gesture in Buenos Aires.
Less than a week after making history by taking the stage at the Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, Bad Bunny returned to his world tour and on Friday it was Argentina’s turn – the homeland of Lionel Messi.
At River Plate’s legendary Monumental stadium, the crowd threw itself behind the Puerto Rican artist. Following the same routine as in his previous Latin American shows, Benito appeared in his traditional beige outfit to perform “La Mudanza,” opening the concert in signature style.
But that routine shifted slightly when he climbed onto the “Casita.” There, he reemerged wearing the Argentina national team jersey, offering a clear nod to Messi’s early days with La Albiceleste by sporting the No. 19 shirt.
The Inter Miami star wore that number primarily between 2006 and 2008. It was the jersey that launched him into the elite, the one inked on his back when he made his World Cup debut in Germany, and the number he wore when he turned 19.
Messi kept No. 19 through the 2007 Copa América, where Argentina reached the final but ultimately fell to Brazil. It was not until 2008, under Diego Maradona, that the then-Barcelona star inherited the No. 10.
A lifelong admirer of Messi
It was not the only tribute Bad Bunny made to Messi. In one of his songs he also references Maradona – specifically in “Mónaco,” which thundered through the Monumental at full force.
Bad Bunny is a devoted admirer of Lionel Messi – he has mentioned him in five songs: “Mónaco,” “Vuelve Candy B,” “Tú No Vives Así,” “Acho PR” and “Báilame.” He also alludes to the Argentine in “un x100to” with Grupo Frontera, even if not by name.
The two collaborated in 2024 on an Adidas commercial, in which the Puerto Rican superstar openly expressed his admiration for the Inter Miami forward.
“That first meeting with Messi was incredible. From the moment we got together, the vibe was great,” he revealed in an exclusive interview with Billboard Español. “We talked about our visions and what we wanted to achieve with the collection. We’re both passionate about what we do, and that shows in every idea we shared. It was a smooth, natural process, and I’ll never forget it.”
Bad Bunny played two more concerts in Argentina on Saturday, February 14, and Sunday, February 15. From there, the Puerto Rican artist now heads to Brazil for two shows, marking his final stop in Latin America.
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