UEFA unveil the official Champions League match balls for this season
Fit for the best? UEFA unveil the official match balls for the Champions League and Women’s Champions League with the new designs inspired by the competition’s iconic anthems and toasting ROYALTY
- UEFA have officially revealed the match balls for this year’s Champions League
- The blue and purple designs are inspired by the competition’s iconic anthem
- WATCH: ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ – Episode 2 – Mail Sport’s brand new football show
UEFA have unveiled the official match balls for this season’s Champions League and Women’s Champions League, with the designs inspired by the competition’s anthem.
With the group stages set to begin next month, pitting the world’s best clubs against each other, sportswear giant adidas have today showcased their latest releases.
Predominantly blue and purple, tones associated with royalty, the two balls are adorned with the usual crisscrossed stars and similarly striking patterns.
The men’s version is set on a silver background and features a single letter from the chorus lyric, ‘The Champions’, on each of the 12 stars, using elegant calligraphy.
Visual representations of the instantly recognisable music are prominent in and around the stars and coloured in royal purple, red and blue, adidas have explained.
UEFA have unveiled the eye-catching new match balls for this season’s Champions League
Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus was handed an early glimpse of the latest edition of the ball
Both the men’s (right) and women’s (left) versions once again feature the iconic star template
The likes of Arsenal duo Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus, as well as legendary Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, were all offered an early look at the latest edition.
Both balls are again suited to the rigours of the game and incorporate a range of adidas’ performance technology, including a surface texture offering precision.
The coating, found on all official match balls in both tournaments, gives players secure grip and control, while their construction guarantees optimum shape.
Meanwhile, the introduction of an original anthem for the Women’s Champions League in 2021-22 signalled the beginning of a new era for the competition.
As a result, in honour of the milestone, the design for this season’s ball includes the lyrics of the song in two of the star panels, with the unique text scored in orange.
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The ball (sported by Gabriel Martinelli) has been inspired by the competition’s iconic anthems
Adidas have drawn on the anthem’s lyrics and several colours typically associated with royalty
Contrastingly, the remaining ten stars feature a purple and pink print.
Matthew Davidson, adidas’ head of global brand marketing football, said: ‘Last season, we were spoilt with two tournaments that reinforced just how special the Champions League and the Women’s Champions League are, as football spectacles.
‘Over the years, the anthem has become a highly anticipated moment in the pre-match ritual which sets the scene for displays of football at the highest level.
‘When it is heard, it evokes an unmistakable emotional reaction from players and fans – generating a sense of prestige and excitement. So, for this season’s Official Match Balls, we wanted to celebrate the important place these songs occupy in the game.’
The new balls are available to purchase from today via adidas stores or online.
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