River Plate’s Messi 125th Anniversary Tribute Shirt Revealed

River Plate handed Lionel Messi a one-off shirt before Argentina’s friendly with Benin on 6 October 2026. It was a personalised take on the club’s 125th anniversary design, presented at the Estadio Más Monumental. Here’s what it looks like, and what you can actually buy.

TL;DR

• River presented Messi with a personalised adidas 125th anniversary shirt, with “MESSI” and a number 10 on the back.
• That tribute shirt isn’t for sale, as of 7 October 2026.
• We stock a replica of the plain 125th anniversary design at $43.99, without the Messi print.

The Tribute

The gesture came before Argentina faced Benin at the Estadio Más Monumental on 6 October 2026, a match the AFA billed as Lionel Messi’s farewell international. River Plate gave him a personalised version of its adidas 125th anniversary shirt, as Footy Headlines reported on 7 October.

River president Stefano Di Carlo also named Messi “Socio Honorario”, an honorary member of the club. He received a membership card inscribed “ARG18122022”, the date of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup final win. An engraved silver plaque dated 06-10-2026 called him a world champion, unbeaten at the Monumental with the national team, and a legend of the sport.

The setting adds weight. The Monumental has been Argentina’s main home ground throughout Messi’s international career, so River’s gift landed on very familiar turf. No retail details were given for the personalised shirt.

Design Breakdown

Shop River Plate Jerseys

Mens River Plate 2026/27 Home Long Sleeve Jersey Player$ 49,99Mens River Plate 2026/27 Away Long Sleeve Jersey Player$ 49,99Mens River Plate 2025/26 Suit white Training Jersey$ 79,99

The base is off-white, crossed by River’s traditional red diagonal sash, which runs from the left shoulder to the right hip. That sash is the club’s most recognisable motif. A polo collar and the adidas Trefoil logo finish the front.

The back is where the tribute lives. “MESSI” and the number 10 appear in bold black retro lettering, with faux-stitching detail along the contours of the 10. It’s a vintage-style font, a nod to historic River kits from the club’s 125 years.

That anniversary traces back to River’s founding on 25 May 1901. The plain 125th shirt launched earlier in 2026, so Messi’s version is essentially that design with a bespoke back.

How It Compares

Set beside the regular 2026/27 River home shirt, which is white with the red sash and made by adidas, the anniversary shirt shifts to an off-white base. The sash stays the hero in both. We’ve also covered the 125th goalkeeper kit, built on the Trefoil 26 template, in our River 125th GK kit report.

When Can You Buy It?

You can’t buy the Messi version, but you can buy the design underneath it. We stock the 2026/27 River Plate 125th anniversary jersey at $43.99: the same off-white, red-sash adidas look, without the Messi print.

It’s a replica from an independent retailer of replica supporter shirts, not affiliated with any club, league or manufacturer. Buyers can add a name and number for +$2, though we’re not claiming it matches the tribute lettering.

Prefer the standard look? The 2026/27 River Plate home jersey is also $43.99. Browse everything in the River Plate collection, or pair it with the Argentina 2026/27 special jersey and the wider Argentina range.

Delivery takes 10 to 20 business days to Europe, the USA and Canada. Shipping is free on two or more items and $5 otherwise. Returns are accepted within 14 days, with personalised shirts excluded.

FAQ

Is this the real Messi River Plate kit?

The shirt River gave Messi is a personalised one-off. Ours is a replica of the plain 125th anniversary design, sold by an independent retailer of replica supporter shirts, not affiliated with any club, league or manufacturer. It carries no Messi print, and we don’t claim it’s the same item.

When does it release?

As of 7 October 2026, no release has been announced for the Messi version, and it’s reported as not for sale. The plain 125th anniversary shirt launched earlier this year. Our replica is available now, with delivery in 10 to 20 business days to Europe, the USA and Canada.

Where can I buy River Plate jerseys?

You can shop our River Plate collection, which includes the 2026/27 home and 125th anniversary shirts at $43.99 each. Shipping is free when you order two or more items and $5 otherwise. Returns are accepted within 14 days, excluding personalised shirts.

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