Lowe's is launching a 10-foot inflatable Lionel Messi this summer, designed to celebrate the Argentine soccer star. The inflatable will light up and is aimed at fans looking to showcase their support.
Key points
Lowe's launching a 10-foot inflatable Lionel Messi
Inflatable designed to celebrate the Argentine soccer star
Product will light up
Aimed at soccer fans in the U.S.
Launch scheduled for summer
Mentioned in this story
Lowe's
Lionel Messi
It wasn't until Nico Cantor left Miami that he realized that most Americans didn't know much about Argentines. That changed with Lionel Messi.
Americans watch the highlight-reel goals, of course, but now they're also fluent in talk about mate and asado. They can find Rosario on the map.
And they can prove their fandom with a new product Lowe's is launching this summer: A 10-foot, light-up, inflatable Lionel Messi.
A 10-foot inflatable Lionel Messi stands outside a home near a tree in this promotional photo from Lowe's announcing its new product depicting the Argentine hero.
A 10-foot inflatable Lionel Messi stands outside a home near a tree in this promotional photo from Lowe's announcing its new product depicting the Argentine hero.
"Beyond the football, I think what Messi brought to the world was a window to the country my dad is from, the culture I identify with. Simply because the guy is extraordinary at kicking a ball through a net, a lot of the world has gotten to know Argentina better," Cantor told USA TODAY Sports. "He’s the personification of a passport.
"Now, you have Messi all the time with this type of merchandise. There’s going to be Americans who if they didn’t know, well, they’re going to know now because there’s a 10-foot Messi sitting in somebody’s front yard."
A promotional image shows Argentina star Lionel Messi juggling a soccer ball near a goal partially guarded by a 10-foot inflatable depiction of himself.
Q&A
What are the dimensions of the new Lionel Messi inflatable from Lowe's?
The inflatable Lionel Messi measures 10 feet in height.
When will Lowe's release the Lionel Messi inflatable?
Lowe's plans to launch the inflatable Lionel Messi this summer.
What features does the Lionel Messi inflatable have?
The inflatable features a light-up design, making it visually appealing for fans.
Why is the Lionel Messi inflatable significant for American fans?
It represents a growing recognition of Argentine culture and soccer fandom in the U.S.
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A promotional image shows Argentina star Lionel Messi juggling a soccer ball near a goal partially guarded by a 10-foot inflatable depiction of himself.
Messi's fame has grown thanks to his exploits on the field and his move to MLS to play with Inter Miami. But Cantor's dad, Andres, also has helped boost Messi's profile.
The famed Telemundo broadcaster became emotional as he called his home country winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, posting a behind-the-scenes video in which fans could hear his call
“Argentina campeón del mundo! Argentina campeón del mundo!” he repeated, referencing Diego Maradona and other Argentine world champions who had passed on. “Argentina campion del mundo. Messi, campeon del mundo!’
It almost didn't happen.
"Obviously the final was recorded on Telemundo, but I wanted to capture it, just on my phone, the same emotions in case of ..." Andres Cantor said. "I never had any other intention than just having that memory live on my phone. Whatever happened happened after I posted it on social media."
His first post, however, uploaded during the first commercial break after Argentina clinched the title on Gonzalo Montiel's penalty kick, didn't exactly provide the soundtrack to the title.
"He posted it without sound the first time," Nico noted. "It was so good that without sound it went viral."
Seeing messages from his family and friends, Cantor fixed his post in the second commercial break but already had around 300,000 views on the muted version. With Cantor's call now going out to the world, fans not only in the U.S. but in Argentina and beyond heard Cantor's words and saw the emotions.
"I know this is coming to an end because there’s a new World Cup coming up, but from December 18 up to this morning, I have so many people from around the world come up and tell me, ‘Oh my God, you made me cry and you took me to my home country, to remembering my dad or grandfather when I watched soccer with them. Your call is one of the greatest.’ and so forth," he said. "It was awesome to be part of broadcasting history."
Now, he's part of lawn care history as well, partnering with Lowe's Epically More Messi campaign which not only will allow fans to purchase their own 10-foot Messi inflatables but also will place 20-foot versions in New York, Dallas, Atlanta and at Inter Miami's Nu Stadium.
The launch, obviously, is tied to the upcoming World Cup, with Messi looking to help Argentina defend its title and give the Cantors another championship to cover. But Cantor's plans for his new yard decoration go beyond July.
"You can take home a piece of Messi for the summer, Halloween, Christmas, I already have mine at home," Andres Cantor said.
