Football legend Lionel Messi has been named the ‘icon’ of Royal Caribbean’s soon-to-launch ship, Icon of the Seas.

The world’s most decorated football player will participate in the naming ceremony of the world’s largest cruise ship in Miami in January.

When it launches, Icon of the Seas will feature six waterslides, seven pools, the first neighbourhood designed for families with young kids and more than 40 restaurants and bars.

Lionel Messi’s new role follows the recent announcement of Royal Caribbean and Inter Miami CF’s partnership in which the cruise line is the Club’s Main Partner and Official Vacation Partner. 

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said: “Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of delivering memorable vacations, and it’s set to live up to its name in more ways than one when it changes the vacation industry in January 2024.

“It’s that ability to make such a widespread impact and change the status quo that the icon of Icon must personify, and Lionel Messi has proven to be the perfect example of that for years in the world of sports.”