Original VS fake: how to distinguish a real soccer jersey

After the World Cup 2022, social networks and online platforms started actively selling the soccer uniforms of the participating teams. Someone buys for themselves, someone else – as a gift for the New Year. Both want the same thing – to get the original outfit, not a fake. How can you tell the difference?

Equipment specialist, head of the sports support department of the “League of Business Champions”.

Today, fabric manufacturing methods have reached a new technological level. Everything is aimed at improving the performance of soccer players. However, fake production technologies are not standing still either. Sometimes they are made so qualitatively that they can mislead even a specialist in equipment. Nevertheless, in most cases, the fake gives itself away. Let’s understand the nuances.

As a rule, the original forms of soccer teams come in two types: authentic and replica. It is important to note that the second option is not a fake. Replica is a uniform from the official technical sponsor. The difference is that its production did not use those very special technologies. Costs this uniform is cheaper, which is quite logical and justified. All other variants are fakes. How to distinguish them?

1. Appearance

When buying, it is necessary to carefully examine the form for external defects (from all sides). Look at the seam of the product. It should be even, thick and dense. In a fake, it will be uneven, in some places barely noticeable. It is important to note that the big brands, unfortunately, also meet crooked tailoring.

Official technical sponsors use patches on their jerseys. They must be exclusively gold in color. However, if the patch is silver, there is still a possibility that it is a replica (despite the Authentic label).

The fabric, as a rule, today is used only of thin polyester. It allows the player to feel comfortable on the soccer field. Other types of fabrics will tell you that you have a fake in front of you.

Of course, you need to study the symbols and logos for typos. It is also important to look at their location. As a rule, on the shirt emblem of the club and country glued with a special composition. But still in each case it is worth knowing the signs of a particular manufacturer and check them.

For example, Nike has been applying club emblems and logos in the form of thermal patches for six years. Adidas has them glued on. The logic is simple – it is important not the durability of wear, but the comfort of the player. In the fake, however, most often will be used chevron or jacquard. All these nuances are indicative, but not 100%. In a good fake can be taken into account and these little things.

2. Labeling

Many note that you need to pay attention to the markings (“player cut”, “performance cut” or “match jersey”), but this is not true. Today, even a narrow specialist will hardly determine by this criterion. The advice here is one – to compare with each specific model, not with the whole line of the brand.

3. Fit on the body

Be sure to try on the T-shirt. It should fit snugly on the body, not the traditional loose fit. This is achieved by using POWERCELL technology.

4. ventilation holes

Most major manufacturers , such as Nike, adidas and Puma, have special holes in the back, pectoral and armpit areas of their jerseys. These are designed to improve ventilation. This technology is called AdiZero. Rarely, but another quality technology can be used – Climacool. It no longer has additional holes as it is capable of allowing air to pass through on its own. Therefore, it can be difficult to determine.