The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
When Lionel Messi entered the fragrance space in 2024, the brief was clear: a scent that matched the man. Not a tribute, not a cash-grab, a signature. Frank Voelkl, the perfumer behind the composition, approached it the way you'd approach designing for someone who doesn't need to prove anything. Clean lines. No excess. Cardamom and apple leaf open with an immediate brightness that feels both crisp and inviting, the cardamom lending a subtly spicy warmth while the apple leaf adds a fresh, green quality that lifts the whole opening. Then the fragrance settles into something more grounded: leather, lavender, and orris root forming a heart that reads as confident without trying to dominate a room. The leather emerges gently, adding a tactile richness that contrasts with the initial brightness.
The note structure is deliberate in its balance. Cardamom, warm, complex, with a slight peppery bite, anchors the opening. Apple leaf adds a green, slightly sweet dimension that keeps the spice from reading too heavy too early. Cypress, with its dry evergreen quality, bridges the top to the heart without forcing a transition. In the heart, Leather NaturePrint® is the signature move, a material that brings natural warmth and texture without the heavy animalic weight of traditional leather accords. French orris root adds a quiet powdery depth, and lavender softens the edges just enough to keep the composition approachable.
The evolution
The opening hits fresh and spicy at the same time, cardamom and cypress with a bright green edge from the apple leaf. There's an aromatic quality that reads as clean without being generic. As the fragrance develops, the leather starts to emerge from the heart, softening the initial brightness and adding a rich, tactile dimension that evolves the scent into something more intimate. The lavender and orris root round out the transition, adding a powdery softness that tempers the spice while introducing a refined elegance. By the drydown, the vanilla and patchouli take over, a warm, slightly sweet, resinous base that lingers on skin for hours. The cedarwood stays present throughout, giving the composition a woody backbone that doesn't disappear. On clothing, expect the drydown to last into the next day, patchouli especially has staying power.
Cultural impact
The choice of Frank Voelkl as perfumer signaled ambition beyond a typical namesake play for the Messi fragrance brand. The composition draws from classic fragrance archetypes while carving out its own identity through careful balance of notes. Cardamom and apple leaf create an immediately engaging opening, while the leather-lavender-orris heart brings depth and sophistication. The warm vanilla-patchouli base anchors the scent with lasting presence. What emerges is a fragrance that feels both familiar and distinctive, offering versatility that works across occasions and seasons.
