CHILDREN who are football fans can now wear Lionel Messi branded clothing in Malaysia.
Al-Ikhsan Sports has been granted exclusive rights to sell the Messi branded collection including T-shirts, polo shirts, shorts, hoodies, track bottoms and underwear.
Messi is a football legend who won the FIFA World Cup 2022 representing Argentina.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh launched the branded children’s wear at Football Republic in Sunway Pyramid, Petaling Jaya.
Al-Ikhsan Sports chief executive officer Vach Pillutla said, “It is an honour to be associated with the Messi brand.
“The merchandise is targeted at children aged from six to teenagers.
“In the initial phase, the products will be sold in 30 Al-Ikhsan Sports outlets and Football Republic.
“The clothing will also be available on our www.al-ikhsan.com website.
“Lionel Messi rose from humble beginnings to excel at the highest level.
“He stands for the virtues of hard work and integrity.
“We hope children buying the products will be able to connect with these values.”
He added that Al-Ikhsan Sports, in keeping with its purpose of making sports affordable for all, would be selling the children’s wear starting from RM59 for round-neck tees.
“Hoodies and jackets will be priced at RM219,” he said.
Pilluta said Al-Ikhsan Sports would increase the distribution of the merchandise to more stores over the next six to eight months, with the aim of making the brand available to football fans across Malaysia.
Vingino Netherlands chief executive officer Jan Van Den Bergat said the company was happy to be associated with Al-Ikhsan Sports.
Vingino Netherlands owns the global licensing rights to the Messi branded children’s wear.
“Al-Ikhsan Sports has football in its DNA and I am sure that no one can do better justice to the Messi branded apparel.
“We look forward to a long-term partnership,” he said.
Al-Ikhsan Sports is the top multi- brand sports retailer in Malaysia with more than 17 stores.
