KIN Partners teams up with leading global football advisor Rodrigo Messi

Messi to lead KIN’s football representation business in Southern Europe and Latin America

Barcelona and USMNT star, Konrad de la Fuente, joins KIN as new ventures first client

KIN Partners has announced a new alliance with Rodrigo Messi as it targets expansion for its football representation business across Southern Europe and Latin America.

The partnership sees the leading Independent sport and entertainment talent and commercial management agency join forces with the CEO of Lionel Messi Sports Management, with immediate effect.

Based in Barcelona, Messi will assume a senior leadership role in KIN Partners football division and be charged with extending the agency’s existing talent network across Southern Europe and Latin America.

Messi brings 20 years’ experience of player representation at the very highest level, having played a crucial role in building and shaping the brand of his younger brother – Barcelona and Argentina legend, Lionel.

In line with KIN Partners philosophy of guiding the interests of young football stars, Rodrigo has been at the heart of Lionel Messi’s team since he joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy.

As part of the union with Messi, another La Masia graduate, Barcelona and USMNT forward, Konrad de la Fuente, has joined KIN Partners’ growing roster of football talent. De la Fuente has been a regular member of Barcelona’s first team squad this season and made his full International debut for the United States against Wales in November 2020.

Commenting on the alliance with Messi, KIN Partners CEO, Simon Oliveira, said:“Rodrigo’s experience shaping the off-field success of the world’s greatest player adds incredible knowledge, insight and credibility to our talent representation business, as we look to expand in to new markets. His contacts, relationships and vision have seen him secure some of the biggest endorsement deals in football history. We are thrilled he’s joining the KIN Partners family and look forward to working together to grow our existing talent network.

“We are also delighted to welcome Konrad de la Fuente to KIN. Konrad is one of the most highly rated young players in the world and we look forward to helping him harness his immense potential, both on and off the pitch”, Oliveira added.

Discussing the new partnership, Rodrigo Messi commented: “Having worked closely with KIN in the past, I’ve seen first-hand the expertise and creativity of the leadership group, and I can’t wait to be a part of it. I’m excited to be leading this new project and building a proposition that ensures KIN is seen as a premium representation brand in Spain and Latin America. KIN already has a reputation for adding undeniable value to its talent, brand and property relationships – I look forward building this status in new markets.”

Onur Yegenoglu, Head of Sport at KIN Partners, added: “Rodrigo’s been a key player in growing the Lionel Messi brand to the position it is in today – quite simply the most marketable athlete on the planet. He shares our vision for working with young talent and building the foundations for successful careers on and off the pitch and will be a huge asset for KIN as we look to grow in Spain and Latin America.”

KIN currently represent more than 60 footballers across Europe, including Manchester City and German International football star, Ilkay Gündogan. In addition, the firm recently announced they would be working with global football icon Samuel Eto’o who is supporting the company’s fast-growing football representation business.

Since its inception in 2013, KIN Partners has worked with some of the biggest icons of recent times, including David Beckham, Usain Bolt and Neymar Jr, developing a track record of delivering significant commercial endorsements for its clients, harnessing the intellectual property of talent and pioneering innovative partnerships in the industry.

KIN Partners were the founding commercial arm of Beckham’s MLS franchise, Inter Miami, and played a crucial role in the formation of OTRO, bringing together the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane, to create a new global digital platform and content studio.