Sandals brand appoints football star as new brand ambassador

The Havaianas brand has introduced Brazilian footballer Vinícius Júnior as its global brand ambassador and simultaneously launched a joint collection. The collaboration with the Real Madrid star includes two exclusive models, each reflecting personal milestones and interests of the player.

One model is reportedly inspired by a passion for video games and is offered in two color variations. The second design reflects the player's origins in São Gonçalo near Rio de Janeiro and depicts his journey from childhood dream to international professional career.

The collaboration is part of a global campaign through which Havaianas aims to highlight aspects of Brazilian identity and everyday culture. The player himself has been associated with the brand since childhood, partly due to the widespread use in Brazil of flip-flops as makeshift goalposts in street football.

Havaianas was founded in 1962. Since then, the brand, which belongs to the Brazilian manufacturer Alpargatas, has transformed from a simple flip-flop into a fashion accessory.