Adidas Unveils Official World Cup Football
adidas has unveiled brazuca, the official 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil match ball, during a 3D light projection launch event at Parque Lage in Rio de Janeiro.
brazuca was named back in September 2012 following a public vote in Brazil involving 1 million football fans. The name is an informal local term meaning “Brazilian”, or to describe the Brazilian way of life.
According to adidas, the colours and ribbon design of the ball panels symbolise ‘the traditional multi-coloured wish bracelets worn in the country in addition to reflecting the vibrancy and fun associated with football in Brazil’.
brazuca went through a thorough testing process over a two and a half year period involving more than 600 of the world’s top players and 30 teams in 10 countries across three continents, making it the most tested ball ever by adidas.
Clubs involved in testing included AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Palmeiras and Fluminese, with Leo Messi, Iker Casillas, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Zinedine Zidane amongst the players to take part in the process.
The ball has already been tested in competitive international matches at the FIFA U-20 World Cup with a different print design, and was also used in a friendly match between Sweden and Argentina in February 2013.
The technology incorporated into the bladder and carcass of brazuca is identical to the Tango 12 and Cafusa – used in the UEFA Euro 2012 and FIFA Confederations Cup 2013, respectively – as well as the UEFA Champions League Official Match Ball.
However, a new structural innovation will reportedly provide improved grip, touch, stability and aerodynamics.
adidas has called on players and fans to Love Me or Lose Me with the unveiling of brazuca as part of its All In or Nothing World Cup campaign, with adidas launching @brazuca on Twitter.
brazuca will visit footballing nations, meet players and celebrities, and take part in major cultural events before landing in Brazil for the first game in June, and will be tweeting all the way.
Brazilian star Dani Alves said: ‘My first impression of 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. I’m sure all the players will love it. It’s increased my levels of excitement even further and I honestly cannot wait for the opening game!’
FIFA World Cup winning Spanish captain Iker Casillas added: ‘brazuca has a stunning design that feels inspired by Brazil. Now the ball has been launched the tournament feels a lot closer. I’m looking forward to playing in Brazil with a great ball. Hopefully with brazuca we can get the same result as in 2010.’
brazuca is available to purchase globally from today in selected adidas retail outlets, associated stockists and online.
