Nike Reveal Brazil 2014 World Cup KitWorld Cup hosts launch new kit as they look for sixth title. 

Nike have unveiled the Brazilian national team kit for the 2014 World Cup. Captivated by the creativity of the host county, Nike’s design team sought to reflect some of its unique and distinct cultures, while staying true to the culture and tradition of the yellow jersey.



The jersey features a new Y-neck design that Nike say provides both a relaxed fit and comfortable look. After body scanning each member of the Brazilian National team, Nike designers utilized player body scans and their own insights to develop a neckline and shirt that maximizes comfort and fit.



The shorts are a classic Brazilian Varsity Royal with a white stripe, the fit is slimmer and more tailored to the body, with a cut specifically designed to aid movement and comfort. The centre back of the shorts feature Nike’s signature laser vents to aid in cooling and allow for moisture management.



The Brazilian crest is larger and has been updated with a gold coloured metallic weave for a shimmering effect. Behind the crest, on the inside of the jersey, is a printed slogan “Nascido para jogar futebol”- Brazilian Portuguese for “Born to Play Football”.



To capture the heart of the Brazilian National football team, Nike invited renowned photographer Platon Antoniou to photograph all 23 members of the Confederations Cup champions along with the coaching staff. The images include some of Brazil’s leading players including Neymar & David Luiz (above), Thiago Silva, Paulinho & Bernard.

Nike also worked with Brazilian Designer Bruno Big to deliver a unique and nationally relevant mark of pride at the inner back neck of each jersey. The home kit features a small yellow canary motif representing “Canarinho”, the nickname given to the team when they wear the yellow home jersey.





"To wear the 'amarelinha' is an honour for me and my teammates," says Brazil star Neymar. "Brazil is a very special place to play football, and we want to play hard and win for our country. This kit helps us to do that with both the technology and the inspiration it provides.”

New Nike campaign 'Dare to be Brasilian'Nike celebrates the Brasilian style of play with new film. 

Nike have launched a new campaign challenging the world to 'dare to be Brasilian'. At the heart of this campaign is a short film featuring Neymar, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Paulinho, Bernard, and members of the coaching staff, including team manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, highlighting the players' unique styles and attitudes on the pitch.
Looking at the players personalities and individual style of play “Dare to Be Brasilian” is a visually stunning portrayal of the game through each player's perspective. Neymar plays like a kid; Luiz runs over the competition; Silva dominates the penalty box; Bernard is the fleet-footed midfielder in a land of giants; and Paulinho is the responsible one of the group.


“As their victory on home soil last summer reminded the World, no one plays like Brasil,” said Davide Grasso, Chief Marketing Officer, Nike. “Their unique brand of phenomenal football is an inspiration to Nike and athletes around the world, and we are celebrating that unique style of play with this new campaign.”


To best portray the Brasilian National Team’s phenomenal style, Nike partnered with Wieden+Kennedy and English director Daniel Kleinman. “It was a great responsibility to create this film for the Brasilian National Team because it holds so much meaning,” said Kleinman. “I think we were able to celebrate Brasil and create a piece that is worthy of the Brasilian National Team jersey.”



Kleinman faced some unique challenges while filming the piece including Bernard’s speed. “He ran a lot during filming, and the camera really struggled to figure out a way to keep up with him,” said Kleinman.“Each scene represents something very pure and true to each player. For example it’s clear the Felipao has a paternal feeling to his team, so we played on that in his moment.”

Rooney & McIlroy Unveil Nike Ordem BallRooney and McIlroy star in Nike "Straight Down The Middle" Video.

To launch their new Ordem football Nike has created a new film, “Straight Down the Middle,” that features a light-hearted game of golf between Wayne Rooney and Rory McIlroy underlining the new ball's unprecedented flight control.
Rooney and McIlroy exchange impressive shots over the course, Rory using his Nike VRS Covert 2.0 driver and Wayne with the new Nike Ordem football. The new film even features a special guest appearance by Brasilian legend Ronaldo, who provides Rooney with a critical assist towards the end of his round.



Rooney and Rory have long been fans of each others game, and a true comradeship developed over the course of filming as they exchanged tips on golf and football. "The thing that strikes me about Wayne as a football player is just how hard he works on the pitch and how involved he wants to be in every single play," said McIlroy. "He’s obviously an attacking player, but he doesn’t mind getting back and defending.  And he’s really turned himself into a talisman for United and for England."





Focusing on the new ball, the Nike Ordem offers optimal touch with new Fuse-Welded panels; unprecedented flight control with new aerodynamic NIKE AEROW TRAC grooves; and maximum visibility with Nike RaDaR technology to help see the ball quicker.



The ball consists of 12 fuse-welded panels in a 3-layer casing system, and a poly-blend wrapped, free-floating carbon latex bladder. The surface of the Nike Ordem is debossed with NIKE AEROW TRAC grooves, engineered to grip and channel the air to produce the truest trajectory and most consistent flight.



The Nike Ordem ball featured in 'Straight Down The Middle' will be used by all Nike-sponsored Federations (including the ten teams who will play in Brasil next summer) in international friendly games from early 2014.

adidas Unveils The Brazuca: Official Match Ball Of The 2014 World Cup.New ball is inspired by Brazilian colours, passion and heritage.  



After a two and a half year testing process involving more than 600 of the world’s top players adidas have launched the Brazuca, the official 2014 FIFA World Cup match ball. Clubs including AC Milan and Bayern Munich along with players from Lionel Messi to Zinedine Zidane all contributed to the testing phase, making it the most tested ball ever by adidas.
Taking inspiration from Brazil's heritage the design of Brazuca panels symbolise multi-coloured traditional wish bracelets and reflect the vibrancy and fun associated with football in Brazil. The name 'Brazuca' is a local term desribing the Brazilian way of life and was named following a public vote in Brazil involving one million football fans.





The technology incorporated into the bladder and carcass of the Brazuca is identical to that of the Tango 12 (UEFA Euro 2012™), Cafusa (FIFA Confederations Cup 2013) and the UEFA Champions League official match balls. However, a new structural innovation with a unique symmetry of six identical panels alongside a different surface structure provides improved grip, touch, stability and aerodynamics on the pitch.





Speaking about the new ball from adidas, Brazilian star Dani Alves said: "My first impression of the Brazuca is of a ball that is fantastic and we’re going to have a lot of fun with it. Adidas has created an incredible-looking ball fitting for a tournament as big as the FIFA World Cup. Most importantly it plays well on the ground and in the air."




Adidas is launching @brazuca on Twitter. Fans will be able to track the build-up to Brazil 2014 through the eyes of the ball as it travels the world and offers an alternative take on the game. The Brazuca will visit footballing nations, meet players and celebrities, and participate in major cultural events before landing in Brazil for the first game in June.

Global Boot Spotting - 28/10/13



After a big week of innovative, signature and straight up crazy boot releases players across the world stepped out of the tunnel to give us our first look at how the latest boots looked on pitch. Reflective boots, space-like boots and boots with a great big lion on the front, it's been a mad week...
 

David Villa (Atletico Madrid) adidas f50 adizero
David Villa was laced up in the adidas Enlightened Pack F50 to score his third and fourth La Liga goals of the season as Atletico Madrid hammered Real Betis 5-0 on Sunday. The Enlightened Pack is the first boot collection of it's kind to feature in football by using reflective technology.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) Nike Mercurial Vapor IX CR7 Galaxy
Nike and Cristiano Ronaldo picked, what was on paper, the perfect game to launch his new signature Mercurial. Nike hooked CR up with his brand new Galaxy Mercurial hoping he'd net the winner in el clasico with the whole world watching. Barcelona didn't read that script and it was fellow Nike stars Neymar and Alexis that stole the headlines as Barca secured bragging rights with a 2-1 win.

Christian Maggio (Napoli) Lotto Solista
The adidas Enlightened Pack dominated pitches in the Champions League this week and although the collection is the first boot range to feature the reflective technology it's not the first singular boot. Earlier this year Lotto launched the Solista, the world's first totally reflective football boot and Napoli's Christian Maggio has been sporting a pair since day one.

Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory) adidas Yamamoto F50 adizero
Another boot that sparked a huge reaction this week was the adidas Yamamoto F50 adizero. One of the craziest football boots ever seen with only 2000 pairs launched. David Alaba and Lucas Moura were two of the highest profile names in the unique boot but it was Melbourne Victory's Archie Thompson who was the first player to slip into them against Brisbane Roar on Friday.

Nicolas Anelka (West Brom) Nike HyperVenom
Nicolas Anelka has chopped and changed his boots almost every game this season and the latest pair which he turned out in for West Brom on Saturday was the Nike HyperVenom stealth colourway. Anelka had an unhappy return to Anfield as his side were beaten 4-1 by his old club Liverpool.

Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) adidas Predator LZ
The Champions League was lit up in midweek by the adidas Enlightened Pack with the majority of adidas' players switching into reflective editions of the Predator LZ, Nitrocharge, F50 and 11Pro. Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny was in the Pred as Arsenal slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Dortmund at the Emirates.

Sidnei Sciola Moraes (Perth Glory) PUMA evoSPEED 1
Sidnei Sciola Moraes of Perth Glory was sporting a rarer PUMA evoSPEED colourway at the weekend. The silver/green evoSPEED was only worn by Gael Clichy in the Premier League but is a decent match up for Moraes' Perth Glory kit.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) adidas F50 adizero Messi
As adidas rolled out their Enlightened Pack Leo Messi's signature F50's were given special treatment to bring them in line with the rest of the Enlightened players. The black stripes on his adizeros were replaced with reflective strips to catch the light from the San Siro floodlights. As per usual Messi notched but Barca had to settle for a 1-1 draw against AC Milan.

Jose Angel Crespo (Bologna) NikeiD Mercurial Vapor IX
Bologna's Jose Angel Crespo was wearing a pair of NikeiD Mercurials against Livorno on Sunday. Crespo obviously has his club's home colours in mind when designing the boots and they did the business as he bagged the only goal in the game to give his side their first league win of the season.

Dani Alves (Barcelona) adidas F50 adizero
Dani Alves made the somewhat bizarre decision to change from the Nitrocharges he's been wearing all season into the launch colourway of the previous F50 adizero model. Alves smashed in that wonder goal against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey last January wearing this boot so maybe it's a superstitious decision?