NEW Champions League and Premier League balls have been released for the conclusion of the 2020-21 season – as well as some new classy Copa boots.
And the designs include a nostalgic Nike Total 90 look and a hidden message from adidas.
Nike added a third ball to their Premier League collection for the 2020-21 season
adidas revealed the new ball which will be used for the remainder of the Champions League campaignCredit: Will Cornelius; Adidas
The German manufacturers unveiled the ball which will be used in the knockout stages of this season’s Champions League.
The Finale Istanbul 21 – named after the host city of May’s final – celebrates the 20th anniversary of the iconic ‘starball’ design, synonymous with memorable big European nights over the years.
The new adidas ball subtly features every design from the last 20 Champions League finals.
And the year and city of each final is written in a thin red strip on the corresponding panel.
The designers – who brought out their latest Predator Freak boots last month – said of the new ball: “The ball continues to offer control, aerobatic stability and a secure grip via thermally-bonded hexagon panels, overlapping stars and textured coating.
“Incorporating sustainable glue, the ball provides a seamless surface and improved first touch for even more precision on the pitch.”
The football is now available to buy on the adidas website and will be used tonight when RB Leipzig take on Liverpool and Barcelona host Neymar-less Paris Saint-Germain.
And adidas followed up the new ball with a new pair of Copa Sense cleats – the black-and-gold number will also debut this evening before man-of-the-moment Ilkay Gundogan slips into the beautiful boots.
NIKE TAKES FLIGHT
As for fellow sporting giants Nike, they have teamed up with the Premier League to add a third ball for this season.
So rather than the same white ball used either side of the winter yellow one, a new style will come in from this weekend – just like last year.
The latest Nike Flight football features the old-school Total 90 ring famously used between 2004 and 2006.
adidas released the new Copa Sense boots to be debuted in the Champions League tonightCredit: adidas
They will be worn by man-of-the-moment Ilkay Gundogan among othersCredit: adidas
The black-and-gold design is sure to be a hit when Sunday League football returnsCredit: adidas
It also incorporates Nike’s AerowSculpt technology, used in the two previous models this term with 634 goals scored so far – 17 of those from Mo Salah.
According to the Premier League, it ‘carries a bespoke graphic designed to reflect the intensity of the final stages of the Premier League, when the focus of the teams and players narrows and the Premier League trophy is in sight’.
Fans will get their first glimpse of the new Flight football on Friday night when Wolves host Leeds.
The ball will be available to purchase from February 18 at nike.com.
The latest edition celebrates the 20th anniversary of the famous ‘starball’ designCredit: Will Cornelius; Adidas
The design, year and city of the last 20 finals are incorporated into the Finale Istanbul 21Credit: Will Cornelius; Adidas
