Messi, known for his incredible football career and global influence, recently launched his own sports drink, Mas+. In a promotional video, he expressed his excitement about the product, saying, “I am very happy to announce the name of my new drink: Mas+. This name reflects the meaning that my life and career have always aimed for: Mas+ means more. I believe that we can always give a little more, and I’ve achieved more than I ever expected through positive thinking.” Messi went on to explain that Mas+ was designed to offer a creative blend of electrolytes, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and only a gram of sugar, with no artificial sweeteners or colorants, to maintain a natural taste.

Mas+ offers a variety of flavors, each inspired by Messi’s career achievements, with names such as “Orange D’Or” (inspired by Messi’s Ballon d’Or wins), “Miami Punch,” “Berry Copa Crush,” and “Limón Lime League” (paying homage to Messi’s history in La Liga). While the product was initially hailed as a positive development in Messi’s post-football business ventures, controversy soon emerged.

Consumers quickly noticed the striking similarities between the design of Mas+ and Prime Hydration, a popular sports drink brand co-founded by social media influencer and former WWE wrestler Logan Paul. Prime, which launched in 2022, has already established a strong following, especially among younger audiences, and has become a significant player in the beverage industry. With over 23 million YouTube subscribers and millions more on other social media platforms, Logan Paul’s influence has been instrumental in Prime’s success.

Logan Paul himself has been vocal about his concerns, particularly in regions where Spanish is spoken, as the brand names and packaging of Mas+ appear to closely mirror that of Prime. “It’s worrying that consumers are confusing Mas+ with a Latin version of Prime, especially in Spanish-speaking countries,” Paul said, expressing his concerns that many people believed Messi had partnered with Prime to create a localized version of the drink. “The similarities in design are too close for comfort,” he added.

In response to these claims, Mark Anthony International, the distributor for Mas+, filed a lawsuit against Prime Hydration. The suit alleges unfair competition and demands a formal declaration affirming that Mas+ has not copied Prime’s design. Mark Anthony International emphasized that they would not stand by idly while another brand made such allegations, and they were determined to protect the integrity of their product.

The legal battle quickly escalated, drawing attention from both the sports and business worlds. Logan Paul responded to the lawsuit during a recent episode of his podcast, Impaulsive. In his characteristic outspoken manner, Paul described the lawsuit as “ridiculous.” “Somehow, they’re suing us for copying the shape and design of our product. That’s absurd. How is that even possible?” Paul said, adding that while Prime had not yet formally accused Mas+ of trademark infringement, the lawsuit was an unwarranted attack on his brand. “It’s just foolish,” he continued. “We haven’t officially accused them of violating our trademark, but now they’re suing us for no reason. It’s dumb. But we have a plan to protect our rights properly and legally. We’ll see how this plays out.”

In a more confrontational tone, Paul went on to hint at the possibility of counter-suing Mark Anthony International for defamation and damage to the reputation of Prime. “We’re not letting this slide,” he said. “If they want to make false accusations, we’ll take legal action to protect Prime’s reputation.”

The lawsuit has sparked a fierce debate in the business world, with many questioning whether the similarities between Mas+ and Prime are indeed enough to constitute plagiarism. While both products fall under the broad category of sports drinks, the design, branding, and product names appear to share a striking resemblance, particularly in the use of bold, eye-catching colors and minimalist packaging.

Legal experts suggest that the outcome of the case will depend largely on whether there is enough evidence to prove that Mark Anthony International intentionally copied the design elements of Prime. If found guilty, the distributors of Mas+ could face significant financial penalties and be forced to rebrand the product entirely. On the other hand, if the court rules in favor of Mas+, it would set a significant precedent for intellectual property disputes in the beverage industry.

For Messi, the lawsuit adds a layer of complexity to his business ventures, which have included a range of partnerships and sponsorships throughout his career. While his personal brand remains one of the most valuable in the world, this legal conflict could hurt his reputation if it drags on. Messi’s team has not yet made a public statement regarding the lawsuit, but the eyes of the business and sports world will undoubtedly remain on this high-profile dispute.

As the legal process unfolds, both parties are bracing for a lengthy and complex battle. The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for future brand disputes in the sports and beverage sectors, making it one of the most closely watched cases in recent years.