ChatGPT gives Lionel Messi ‘Argentina makeover’: How fans can get the same look

Lionel Messi 'kicked off' a first-of-its-kind global partnership with OpenAI, appearing on social media with blue-and-white hair. But this is not courtesy of a stylist, but ChatGPT, developed by Sam Altman-led OpenAI. The image, generated using ChatGPT Images with a prompt inspired by Argentina's national colours, marks the launch of a collaboration between the football icon and the AI company timed to coincide with what the AI company is calling "the first global football season of the AI era."In the image, Messi imagined a new look for himself as a fan, using the tool to render his hair in the colours of the Argentine flag. The collaboration doubles as an invitation to fans worldwide. Messi's exact prompt: "Make my hair the colours of the [Argentina] flag, but keep it natural-looking", has been added to ChatGPT Images' preset styles collection, letting supporters recreate the look in their own national colours ahead of matches."I've always loved seeing how people experience football differently in each country," Messi said, adding, "I turned to ChatGPT to imagine myself cheering in a new way, and I started with Argentina's colours, of course. This season, I think many fans will discover new ways to follow matches, better understand what happens on the field, and show their support with AI."Beyond the image-generation angle, the partnership is framed around everyday utility, helping fans follow tournament storylines, understand on-field action, and engage more creatively with their teams. Over the coming weeks, further content from the collaboration will be released across Messi's and ChatGPT's official social channels