Mitre Ultimax (1995)
Before Nike and Puma, there was Mitre. The Ultimax was not only sturdy but also the first football to record speeds of over 100mph. The blue and golden patterns would please football lovers even today.
PUMA Orbita Ultimate PL (2025)
The new official Premier League match ball has 12 evenly sized panels for better weight distribution and balance. Built for all conditions, its deeper seams and moulding boost durability and aerodynamics.
Nike Maxim (2012-13)
Designed for visual contrast and performance, the Nike Maxim also came with a 360-degree sweet spot, thanks to a five-layer ball construction, which ensured consistent response off the foot.
Adidas Teamgeist+ (2006)
The 2006 World Cup’s official match ball scored on all fronts—from curvy graphics to 14 thermally bonded panels—perfectly suited for football’s return to Germany.
Adidas Jabulani (2010)
A ball with a mind of its own, the Jabulani was known for its erratic movement. Very few mastered the art of kicking it. It was made from eight spherically moulded panels and had a textured surface for better aerodynamics.
Adidas Finale
Introduced in 2001, the external design of the ‘Starball’ is based on the stars seen in the Champions League logo. Every Final ball is unique, featuring the host city. Seen here is the one from the 2024-25 final between PSG and Inter Milan.
Adidas Brazuca (2014)
A celebration of colour and design, it featured thousands of tiny nubs for better grip and water resistance, with six identical boomerang-shaped panels bonded, not stitched, together.
Nike T90 Aerow (2004-05)
Behind the iconic blue rings, the Nike T90 Aerow featured a combination of vulcanised latex rubber and responsive foam technology, which would propel the ball off a player’s foot at increased velocity.
Nike Geo Merlin (2000-01)
The first Nike ball in the Premier League, the Geo Merlin was accurate and the fastest ever, as the company claimed back then. It was certainly a delight for goal-scorers — notching up a total of 1,992 goals over two seasons.
Adidas Telstar (1970)
First used in the 1970 World Cup, the black and white Telstar would go on to define how all of us drew a football. It featured a 32-panel alternating black-and-white design, based on the work of Eigil Nielsen.
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