Stars You’ve Seen In Stripes
There’s something lasting about seeing a player and instantly thinking of their brand. Adidas has built that kind of familiarity, pairing with athletes who brought something original to the pitch or track. This list spotlights twenty of the most iconic athletes ever tied to the brand.
1. Lionel Messi
Messi's been dominating defenders since he signed with Adidas at just 14. You’ve seen those golden boots that tracked the transformation of the quiet Rosario kid into a global icon. His F50s or Nemeziz boots evolve with each World Cup, just like his legendary game.
2. David Beckham
Style meets stamina every time Beckham laces up in Adidas. His $160 million lifetime contract was about fashion and culture, too, not just football. Beckham’s Predator Precision boots debuted in 2000 and launched a design era still mimicked in modern remakes and limited-edition drops today.
Soccer Aid for Unicef on Wikimedia
3. Patrick Mahomes
Explosive plays deserve explosive gear. That's what Mahomes got with his Adidas Impact FLX line in 2021. He’s the first NFL quarterback with a signature Adidas shoe. The cleats include Primeknit uppers, which were developed to offer better grip in scramble drills and fourth-quarter sprints.
4. Candace Parker
Parker’s Adidas partnership goes beyond the court to her legacy, which includes mentorship and advocacy. Her Exhibit line launched in 2021 and was built to suit women’s biomechanics. You’ll spot her mentoring younger athletes through the Adidas NIL program, shaping the next generation just as smoothly as she passes.
5. Paul Pogba
When Adidas dropped his limited-edition cleats in 2017, they captured his bold style. His designs fuse French-African roots with streetwear influences from Paris to Manchester, making every pair as expressive as his play on the pitch.
6. Damian Lillard
Lillard's Adidas deal lets him rap in the studio and sink threes in the clutch. Since 2012, the "Dame" series has fused performance with personal storytelling. Look closer and see personal symbols, like his sister’s name and “0” for the doubters who said he’d fail in each release.
7. Zinedine Zidane
Few moves are more graceful than Zidane’s roulette spin. Adidas knew that when they built their Predator legacy around him in the late '90s. The Accelerator and Mania models he wore became collector classics—reissued in 2020 for fans chasing that same elegance in every touch.
Oleg Dubyna from Poltava, Ukraine on Wikimedia
8. Derrick Rose
When Adidas locked in Rose with a $185 million contract in 2012, they bet on his explosiveness—and his comeback spirit. His D Rose series features torsion plates and padded collars designed to protect ankles from the brutal stops of real Chicago drives.
9. Steffi Graf
Adidas and Graf made a quiet power duo. Winning 22 Grand Slams between 1987 and 1999, she did it all in the brand’s gear. Her preferred model, the Barricade, became a staple in pro tennis, prized for its lateral support and durability on fast-paced surfaces.
Chris Eason from London on Wikimedia
10. Alexander Zverev
Silencing skeptics one slam at a time, Zverev signed with Adidas in 2016 and became the face of their Adizero line. His custom kits often feature geometric motifs that match the sleek German precision in his baseline play. Adidas even launched ZVEREV’s signature tennis shoe for clay courts.
11. James Harden
Crossovers? Euro steps? Harden’s signature moves got their Adidas counterpart with the Harden Vol. 1 in 2016. Adidas paid $200 million to bring him over from Nike. His line features Boost technology with low-cut designs that prioritize stability because balance matters as much as finesse.
Tim Shelby from Arlington, VA, US on Wikimedia
12. Noah Lyles
Lyles joined Adidas in 2016, favoring their sprint spikes equipped with carbon-infused plates. His signature celebratory flair? That’s his own brand—but the aerodynamic design of the Adizero Prime SPs helped him clock 19.31 seconds in the 200m, the third-fastest ever.
Erik van Leeuwen, attribution: Erik van Leeuwen (bron: Wikipedia). on Wikimedia
13. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Skyhook royalty came wrapped in leather. In 1971, Kareem became Adidas’s first NBA signee and debuted the Adidas Superstars. That same shoe became hip-hop gold in the ’80s, worn by Run-D.M.C. Those who wore the footwear were stepping into the blueprint of modern sneaker culture.
U.S. Department of State from United States on Wikimedia
14. Tracy McGrady
Effortless elevation defined T-Mac’s game. His Adidas deal launched the T-Mac line in 2002, with the T-Mac 1 gaining retro fame. You’ll still find his models reissued globally, especially in China, where his legend continues. Look for his three-stripe kicks—chunky and built for isolation plays.
Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA on Wikimedia
15. Trinity Rodman
Drafted second overall, Rodman joined Adidas in 2022, a nod to both potential and pedigree. Her Predator Edge cleats are part of a campaign spotlighting rising women’s soccer stars, and her agility on the field matches the snug, laceless lockdown design in those boots.
16. Mohamed Salah
Salah signed with Adidas in 2012 and became a staple in the X Speedflow boot series. Each release carries lightweight uppers and agility frames tailored to his slashing runs for Liverpool and Egypt. He also stars in regional Adidas campaigns across Africa.
17. Kaká
Effortlessly elegant, Kaká wore Adidas throughout his rise to Ballon d’Or glory in 2007. Often seen in the F50 Tunit or Predator models, his footwork mirrored the tech—sleek and smart. Adidas leaned into his devout image, and this made him a face of quiet brilliance in Brazil.
Frédéric Fausser - Sambafoot.com on Wikimedia
18. Donovan Mitchell
Mitchell signed with Adidas in 2017, leading to his “D.O.N. Issue” shoe series. The initials stand for “Determination Over Negativity.” Each model features webbed traction and bounce cushioning—perfect for his high-flying, stop-on-a-dime style. On them, you’ll find comic book motifs honoring his Marvel fandom.
19. Trae Young
In 2018, Trae joined Adidas and, in 2021, earned his first signature shoe—the Trae Young 1. Built for his stop-start burst, it features Lightstrike cushioning and a laceless design. Adidas even color-coded some drops to match his alma mater, Oklahoma, and Atlanta Hawks uniforms.
20. Andy Murray
Murray’s Adidas era ran from 2009 to 2014, and he won his first Wimbledon in 2013 wearing Barricades. His kits often balanced technical fabrics with a sharp British design. Even though he's with Castore now, those Adidas years shaped both his game and the brand’s foothold in elite tennis.
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