Soccer Star Messi Wants Out of Deposition in Prime Drink Dispute

Attorneys for Lionel Messi told a New York federal judge deposing the soccer star won’t reveal unique information about the creation of the trade dress for the sports drink Más+ by Messi in a dispute with Prime Hydration LLC.

Prime referenced during prior meetings marketing statements by Messi reflecting his excitement for the product and co-founding the brand with Mark Anthony International SRL, but not the athlete’s unique knowledge, according to a letter filed Monday seeking a protective order blocking the deposition in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. Messi’s attorneys argued liaisons handling his marketing and business matters were more suitable sources for depositions.

“Given Mr. Messi’s fame, he is vulnerable to harassing depositions in cases concerning products he endorses or supports,” his attorneys wrote. The filing included as an attachment a July 2 notice of deposition to Messi.

Mark Anthony filed a declaratory judgment action against influencer Logan Paul’s Prime in October, seeking an order that the Más+ product doesn’t infringe Prime’s bottle design. Prime filed counterclaims in November, alleging Mark Anthony and Messi infringed its design.

The court in March granted a letter motion by Messi’s attorneys arguing the athlete didn’t need to attend a settlement conference that month because it would be attended by an executive of Mark Anthony, which owns the accused product and has full decision-making power to negotiate and agree to a settlement.

Prime didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP represents Mark Anthony. Greenberg Traurig LLP represents Prime.

The case is Mark Anthony International SRL et al v. Prime Hydration LLC, S.D.N.Y., No. 1:24-cv-07620, letter filed 7/14/25.