After more than seven decades, an era in German soccer is coming to an end. After 72 years as the official outfitter of the German national team, Adidas is being replaced by Nike. To mark the occasion, the Herzogenaurach-based sportswear manufacturer has come up with something special: a special DFB collection honoring 15 of Germany’s greatest soccer legends. Among them are numerous former and current stars of FC Bayern.
The centerpiece is the German national team’s current black away jersey. It features a special flocked design that allows fans to honor their personal soccer heroes.
What makes it special: In addition to the name and jersey number of each legend, a golden silhouette of the player is also featured. This depicts an iconic moment from the player’s career and turns every jersey into a unique keepsake.
Beckenbauer, Müller, and Neuer are immortalized
The history of FC Bayern is particularly well represented. With Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Lothar Matthäus, Philipp Lahm, and Manuel Neuer, several defining figures from Germany’s record-holding champion are featured in the collection.
Toni Kroos, who once began his professional career in Munich, is also among the selected legends.
The design of the jersey numbers draws on historic moments. For example, Neuer is depicted with the official match ball from the 2014 World Cup. Matthäus is shown in his jersey from the 1990 World Cup.
Kroos is also honored with a scene from the 2014 World Cup triumph.
In addition to the former Bayern stars, Andreas Brehme, Jürgen Klinsmann, Uwe Seeler, Rudi Völler, and Fritz Walter are among the selected players.
The collection thus brings together different generations of German soccer and commemorates numerous historic successes of the national team.
Adidas opts for a retro design with gold accents
Visually, the special jersey also stands out from the standard DFB jerseys. The black base color is complemented by vertical gold lines consisting of numerous small diamonds.
Added to this are the classic white Adidas stripes on the shoulders and the manufacturer’s historic trefoil logo. A retro-style DFB crest is also featured on the chest.
The V-neck combines white and gold elements, further emphasizing the design’s nostalgic character.
In addition to male soccer icons, four outstanding female players from the German national team are also being honored.
With Birgit Prinz, Nia Künzer, Renate Lingor, and Doris Fitschen, Adidas pays tribute to influential figures in German women’s soccer.
The memory of Künzer is particularly emotional. The former national team player scored the decisive golden goal in the 2003 World Cup final against Sweden, securing Germany’s first World Cup title in women’s soccer.
With this special collection, Adidas connects its long history with the DFB to some of German soccer’s greatest successes.
For FC Bayern, the selection is also a special honor. After all, numerous players from the record-holding champions have shaped the national team over decades and contributed significantly to its greatest triumphs.
With the upcoming switch to Nike as the official outfitter, one of the most storied partnerships in international soccer is coming to an end. Adidas is bidding farewell in a way that is sure to delight nostalgic soccer fans in particular.