Designing a White/Gold adizero miCoach for Lionel Messi in celebration of his third successive Ballon d'Or award might have seemed like a good idea at the time. But for Leo to step out into the hot cauldron of the Santiago Bernabeu wearing such a colourway would be asking for trouble!
Instead of adding fuel to the El Classico fire, adidas have brought forward the on-pitch launch for the Blue/White/Energy adizero miCoach football boots. After recently announcing via his Facebook page in the build up to tonight's Cope del Rey quarter final, Messi will become the first player to wear the more Barcelona-friendly colourway.
Messi is known to be selective when it comes to the colour of his footwear. The Argentine previously refused to wear the Yellow/Black adizero during the 2010 World Cup because they were too close to the international colours of Brazil. Now Messi is set to ditch his latest White/Gold colourway after deciding not to face 'Los Blancos' in their own colours!
For bootspotters, Messi's first appearance in the White/Gold adizero miCoach during Barcelona's match against Real Betis might be his last! If so, these special boots just became even more special! All eyes will be on the three time Ballon d'Or winner tonight as he aims to imrpove his superb El Classico record against rivals Real Madrid. Share your thoughts online, on Twitter and on Facebook.