Fight and you may avoid lawsuit: Logan Paul's challenge to Lionel Messi

The two have been feuding over energy drinks, and have sued each other.

Logan Paul, the YouTube-star-turned-pro-wrestler, challenged football legend Lionel Messi to a fight, after accusing the Argentine of copying his energy drink brand.

Messi, having accomplished much in his footballing career, has moved to entrepreneurial endeavours since his shift to Inter Miami. He introduced the Mas+ energy drink last year -- to that end -- but Paul was none too impressed with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner entering the competition and accused him of plagiarising his idea of the energy drink.

Paul owns 'Prime' an energy drink brand he started with KSI. The two have seen that their product is rather popular among the youth.

While Paul hit Messi with a case accusing the latter of trying to defame the company's trademark, Messi struck back with a counter-suit saying Prime was engaging in anti-competitive practices.

Prime (L) and Mas (R) bottles.

Paul, set to fight at WWE's WrestleMania this year, said that Messi's countersuit was unfair.

"You guys copied us and everybody saw it. Your drinks look exactly like Prime, identical, and then you sued us, that’s not fair. That’s why we countersued, obviously we were going to. If you can’t beat the best, you have to be the best, but that’s illegal, that’s our design and we’re defending ourselves," he said on social media, adding, "I swear I would consider dropping the lawsuit, only if… a Logan Paul vs Messi fight takes place. See you in the ring, bro".

Messi, for his part, has expressed an interest in being part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having led his team to victory in the last edition -- scripting a tale for the ages. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has, however, said it is too early to make an official announcement in this regard.

Paul is 29 years old and has a billed weight of 99.7 kg. Messi is 37 and only weighs around 66 kgs.