If we could wish for one thing this Christmas/birthday/anniversary/Hanuka/Friday afternoon, it would be to have all these adidas footballs presented to us by Johan Cruyff, along with the two-striped signed shirt he wore in 1974. Then we could decorate our flat with them. Who needs two-a-penny Scarface posters, dado rails and obnoxious African statues when you've got some of the best footballing innovations known to man? For us, it would be tres bon and a right old coup.
Ever since Mr Adi Dassler first started his sportswear firm, the company have been the coolest sporting innovators on the planet. Below is a brilliant list of how the company approached football design for the greatest competition in the world, why they developed in the ways that they did and how their designs always encapsulated the history and ideals of the host nation. We love them.
adidas Telstar
1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico
Was completely made of leather, like every other ball of its time, but featured 32 hand-stitched panels (12 black pentagons and 20 white hexagons), creating the roundest sphere of its time and a benchmark in ball design and football history: it was the first white football ever to be decorated with black pentagons. Mexico 1970 was the first live televised FIFA World Cup and the revolutionary design of Telstar (the name derives from “Star of Television”) made the ball far more visible on black and white television. Until this day, the adidas Telstar remains the archetype of all generic footballs.
Maxim rating: ****
adidas Telstar and adidas Chile
1974 FIFA World Cup Germany
Two adidas match balls were used for Germany ‘74. Telstar made a repeat appearance with new black branding replacing the previously gold branding. And, building on the success of the adidas Telstar, adidas introduced a new all-white version named adidas Chile (after an all-white ball used at Chile 62). The materials and techniques used in the Telstar and Chile were identical to those used four years earlier.
Maxim rating: ****
adidas Tango
1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina
In 1978 football design experienced another revolution with the introduction of the adidas Tango. Once again adidas had created what would become a ‘football design classic’. Twenty panels with ‘triads’ created an optical impression of 12 identical circles. For the following five FIFA World Cup tournaments the Match Ball design was to be based on this design. Tango featured improved weather resistance qualities, and took its inspiration from the deep passion, emotion and elegance of Argentina.
Maxim rating: *****
adidas Tango España
1982 FIFA World Cup Spain
The initial Tango design from 1978 was only altered slightly in 1982. However, the Tango España did feature a major technological innovation. The Tango España, still made of leather, featured revolutionary waterproof sealed seams. This dramatically reduced the ball’s water absorption, thus minimizing weight increase during a game under wet conditions.
Maxim rating: *****
adidas Azteca
1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico
The adidas Azteca was the first ever synthetic FIFA World Cup Match Ball. The use of synthetic material increased its durability and further minimized water absorption. With its never-before-achieved performance on hard ground, at high altitude, and in wet conditions, Azteca represented a massive leap forward for the game. Its design was inspired by the hosting nation’s native Aztec architecture and murals.
Maxim rating: ***
adidas Etrusco Unico
1990 FIFA World Cup Italy
The adidas Etrusco Unico evolved the use of synthetic materials further, creating the first ever Match Ball containing an internal layer of black polyurethane foam, making Etrusco Unico fully water-resistant, more lively and faster than ever. The name and design aimed a nod at Italy’s ancient history and the fine art of the Etruscans. Three Etruscan lion heads decorate each of the 20 Tango triads.
Maxim rating: *****
adidas Questra
1994 FIFA World Cup USA
In 1994 adidas introduced the first Match Ball featuring a high-tech, ultra-high-energy-return layer of white polyethylene foam. It basically made the ball softer to the touch (more controllable) and much faster off the foot for more speed. Inspired by space technology, high velocity rockets and America’s “quest for the stars”, Questra set new performance standards.
Maxim rating: ***
adidas Tricolore
1998 FIFA World Cup France
adidas Tricolore was the first ever multi-colored Match Ball. France’s flag and national colors (the Tricolore) and the “cockerel” the traditional symbol of the French nation and Football Federation, inspired the ball’s name and design.
Maxim rating: ***
adidas Fevernova
2002 FIFA World Cup Korea / Japan
The adidas Fevernova was the first World Cup Match Ball since 1978 to break with the traditional Tango design introduced in 1978. The colorful and revolutionary look and color usage was entirely based on Asian culture. The Fevernova featured a refined syntactic foam layer to give the ball superior performance characteristics and a three-layer, knitted chassis, allowing for a more precise and predictable flight path every time.
Maxim rating: ***
adidas Teamgeist
2006 FIFA World Cup Germany
The adidas +Teamgeist introduced a radically new 14-panel configuration forming a smooth and perfectly round exterior allowing players significant improvements in accuracy and control. It's designed in white and black, the traditional colors of the German national football team, and accentuated with the golden colour of the FIFA World Cup trophy. Its name is a nod to team spirit.
Maxim rating: ****
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