For World Cup 2018, adidas has been doubly ambitious. For the first time, there are not just one, but two official footballs. Made with polyurethane, the balls can be produced with printed flags from the individual games. The white-grey “Telstar 18” is available with or without the decorations. The white-red “Telstar Mechta” version, which in Russian means “dream” or “ambition”, was unveiled for the knockout stages presently sending some teams home.

Obviously most teams were hoping to have the opportunity to kick both balls. The first ball with the classic black and white panels was called “Telstar” (1970 World Cup in Mexico), and after 13 World Cup balls and some imaginative names like “Jabulani” (South Africa 2010) and “Brazuca” (Brazil 2014), it’s come full circle to Telstar this year.