Adidas and a host of legends took to Moscow to launch the new Telstar 18 and officially kick off the road to Russia. Kaka, Podolski, Alonso, Del Piero, Zidane, along with a surprise appearance from Leo Messi, all joined the party as adidas kicked off their World Cup countdown.
Things move fast in the adidas camp. It's been another strong year for the brand who many now see as the pace setters in on and off pitch innovation. With their sights firmly locked on Russia, the recent release of their retro inspired 2018 World Cup home kits and the new Telstar 18 have served as the first releases in what's sure to be an exciting six months.
Bringing together four World Cup winners from 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014, Zinedine Zidane, Kaka, Alessandro Del Piero, Xabi Alonso and Lucas Podolski rubbed shoulders ahead of the event, taking the Telstar 18 to the streets of Moscow. The official match ball of the 2018 World Cup is a remastered take on the first ever adidas match ball - the 1970 Telstar.
Packed with more innovative technology than ever, the ball lands with a brand new panel design and also features NFC to enable greater digital consumer interaction. NFC technology will enable consumers to engage with the match ball using a smartphone, offering exclusive content and information for the user. The personalised and location-aware software displays specific details of each ball and provides access to challenges which users can enter in the run-up to the World Cup.
Showcased at the Moscow launch party, the ball was presented on stage by the former World Cup winners before Leo Messi took to the stage in the new Argentina home jersey to give his thoughts on the ball.
Familiar freestyle scenes followed as the players exchanged moves with the Moscow Tango Squad before Russian rapper Obladaet took to the stage. Making way for a headline hero, Pusha T closed the show rocking the new Germany home jersey.
Pick up the adidas Telstar 18 now from Pro:Direct Soccer.
