The dainty dribbler
Adidas Tango Rosario
In Scotland most people associate the 1978
World Cup with Archie Gemmill’s goal against
the Dutch, but the tournament’s biggest
contribution to football history was actually
the introduction of the iconic Adidas Tango.
This replica will show your opponents you
have taste, especially if they’re Scottish.
£22 / adidas.co.ukThe sensory stalker
InsideCoach
Most footballs just have air inside, but
sensors within this one detect the number
of touches you take, how you strike it, its
trajectory and how far it goes, feeding
everything back to an app. That makes it
the only ball on this page that you’ll have
to remember to charge between uses.
$199 / insidecoach.comThe confused commemorator
Adidas UCL Finale Istanbul Competition
With the pandemic causing last season’s
Champions League final to be moved to the
Stadium of Light (in Lisbon, not Sunderland),
this ball bearing the name of the original
host city could one day be worth a few bob.
No matter which city you kick it in, though,
it’ll still look the same when it hits the net.
£43 / adidas.co.ukThe spangled swerver
Umbro Neo Pro VCS
If you like to let your football do the talking,
the Neo Pro has a ‘Visual Communication
System’ designed to increase visibility. This
might also reduce the chances of you
getting smacked in the face by a 30-yard
thunderbastard. Because that’s not quite
the message you had in mind, is it?
£60 / umbro.co.ukThe techy teacher
DribbleUp
DribbleUp’s app uses your phone’s camera
to track where the ball is, so it knows how
well you’re performing the close-control
drills it gives you. There are daily live classes
too – making it a bit like the Peloton of
football training, just without all the
insufferable bro chat and whooping.
from £84 / dribbleup.comThe bouncy booster
Smart Ball
OK, so it’s not quite as well connected as
the other two, but if you keep losing count
of your keepy-uppies this budget ball has
a sensor that keeps a tally for you and
gives verbal encouragement as you go.
It maxes out at 100, though, so try not
to get too good.
£20 / argos.co.ukWhether it’s keepy-uppies in
the garden or a grudge match
against Rivals United, To m
Wiggins reckons your scruffy
old pig’s bladder is ready
for an upgradeThe stitchy spanker
Copa Retro 1950s
Sure, Kevin De Bruyne can drop a pass onto
an earthworm’s head from 60 yards away,
but can he do it with a ball that’s got actual
leather laces and hand-stitched panels like
back in the ’50s? Probably, yes. But you
can’t, so its less-than-perfect shape might
help you hone your close control.
€50 / copafootball.comThe gym jinker
Mitre Ultimatch Indoor
If you spend more time playing five-a-side
at your local leisure centre than European
finals in front of 75,000 people, you’ll
probably want a ball that’s more suited
to hard surfaces than spongey turf. Mitre’s
felt-covered Ultimatch reduces bounce, so
it won’t be like playing 3D pinball.
£20 / mitre.com1 Rise to the surface
The majority of balls are designed to be used on
grass, but if you’re going to be playing indoors or
on AstroTurf you might want something meant
for more solid surfaces.2 Make sure it’s suita-ball
Those pricier FIFA-approved balls might make
you feel like Messi, but cheaper training balls
tend to be more durable. Lose the ego and get
one that matches your talent (and salary).UPVOTED
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