Luxury handbags become status symbol for top footballers

Football stars are increasingly spotted carrying high‑end designer bags, turning luxury handbags into a new status symbol on and off the pitch. Lionel Messi has been photographed with an Hermès Birkin valued at around €80,000, while other players such as Lamine Yamal and Jules Koundé regularly appear with bags from Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Goyard and Bottega Veneta.

The trend reflects a broader shift in men’s fashion, with designers collaborating with athletes and luxury tote models like the Louis Vuitton Keepall becoming a near‑uniform among professionals. These accessories are now seen as markers of success, style and financial power, complementing the athletes’ on‑field achievements.

The phenomenon underscores how elite footballers influence consumer preferences worldwide, blurring the line between sports performance and high‑fashion branding.