Adidas one-up Nike’s latest Cristiano Ronaldo boots with Leo Messi’s new Ballon d’Or boots

A day before Lionel Messi was awarded his record fourth straight Ballon d'Or, Cristiano Ronaldo wore a new special edition pair of his Nike CR Mercurial XI boots featuring seven numbers that highlighted his achievements in the 2011/12 season. Now, Messi will wear a special edition pair of his adidas f50 boots featuring just four numbers -- the years of each of his Ballon d'Or wins.

Messi, who didn't play in Barcelona's 5-0 Copa del Rey win against Cordoba, will wear the boots during Sunday's La Liga match against Malaga. They feature a black and gold colorway with the years 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 each in their own "Sun of May" -- the symbol at the center of Argentina's flag. The design also includes Messi's very own superhero logo on each shoe.

Unlike the special edition Ronaldo boots, the Messi Ballon d'Or f50s aren't scheduled to go on sale.

Previously: Last year's Messi special edition Ballon d'Or f50s

Photo via The Beautiful Gear