Adidas sent Londoners on a wild goose-chase yesterday that saw clues being posted on their Face Book page encouraging fans to seek out the Argentine and Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi, on a whirlwind promotional tour to introduce the new adidas F50 adiZero’s – apparently the lightest football boots in the world.

The man Adidas call ‘The Spark’ eventually arrived at the second event of a three-part promotional tour and was instantly mobbed by a frenzied crowd determined to catch a glimpse of their hero.

50 lucky ballers managed to grab themselves a free pair of F50 adiZero’s as worn by the pint-sized magician before he was whisked away to participate in a 5-a-side game with equally lucky youngsters.

HE'S IN THERE SOMEWHERE: Messi turns up to please the crowds