Last update November 2, 2024 by Alberto Llopis
The decade of the 90 It was a time of transition and renewal in the world of football, and one of the most visible symbols of this evolution was the change in the official balls used in the most important competitions..
From the classic Adidas Tango, with its elegant black and white design that had marked an entire era, until the arrival of Adidas Tricolore in 1998, the first full color ball in a World Cup. This article explores this iconic change in depth., that not only impacted the visual aspect of football, but also brought technological improvements that revolutionized the game.
The balls from the World Cups 80 Y 90
The Adidas Tango: A symbol of the 70 Y 80
Before the 90, the design of the Adidas Tango had dominated football since the World Cup in 1978 in Argentina. With its distinctive black and white panels that simulated circles, Tango was elegant and classic, and its design allowed better visibility in the field.
It became synonymous with great competitions and was used until the end of the 80 in different variants. But nevertheless, technological advances in the manufacture of balls in the 1990s 90 They demanded a renovation that better adapted to the speed and style of play that were evolving in modern football..
Tango in the 90: Evolution and modernization
At the beginning of the 90, Adidas still used versions of Tango in international competitions, As the Unique Etruscan in the World Cup Italy 1990. This model preserved the structure and appearance of the Tango, but it incorporated more advanced materials.
The Etrusco was the first ball to have a layer of polyurethane foam, which made it softer and more durable. This advancement was crucial to improving the player experience, as it allowed better control and a more predictable rebound. It was also an important step in the evolution of soccer balls towards more efficient and functional designs..
Del Questra al Tricolore: The search for innovation
The great revolution came in USA 1994, When Adidas launched the Questra for the World Cup in the United States. This ball marked a break in the traditional design by including a more aesthetically daring pattern., that represented the aerospace culture and technology of the United States.
The Questra had a more advanced foam layer, which gave it greater speed and finer precision, aspects that players quickly noticed and valued. This ball, much lighter and faster, allowed for more dynamic gameplay, favoring the fast-paced style of play that was beginning to dominate football in the 90.
The arrival of the Tricolore in 1998: A visual and technological leap
In 1998, Adidas surprised the football world with the launch of the Tricolor, the official ball of the World Cup in France. It was the first multicolored ball in the history of the tournament, and its details in blue, white and red reflected the colors of the French flag. This change represented an important milestone, since it broke with the tradition of black and white balls that had lasted for decades.
Technological innovation: Greater precision and speed
The Tricolore not only stood out for its aesthetic appearance, but also introduced advanced technological improvements. It used a synthetic foam made of a more elastic material that increased its durability and improved its response on the field..
further, This structure gave the Tricolore exceptional control and great stability, essential qualities in a ball designed for the most demanding competition in football. The players who participated in the World Cup 1998 They noticed that the ball responded better to hits and provided unprecedented precision, which influenced the development of more controlled plays and more powerful shots..
The cultural and visual impact of the Tricolore
The Tricolore marked a before and after in the design of soccer balls. Its style and color anticipated a trend towards personalized balls that resonated with the identity of venues and events..
The World Cup France 1998 It was a perfect showcase for the Tricolore, and the ball was an unforgettable symbol in an edition that would see the French team crowned champion for the first time in its history. This multicolored ball had such an impact that, since then, The balls in the most important competitions began to include visual elements that reflected cultural and thematic aspects of the host countries.
The influence of the Tricolore on modern balls
The Tricolore was the last World Cup ball made with the traditional 32 hexagonal and pentagonal panels, marking the end of an era of iconic design that had begun with the Adidas Telstar in 1970. From the decade of 2000, Adidas and other manufacturers began experimenting with fewer panels and more advanced aerodynamic structures., taking balls to a higher level of sophistication.
The influence of the Tricolore and its visual impact also opened the door to brightly colored and themed balls., that became common in international competitions and in national leagues. This change helped make the balls more visible to players and fans., improving the experience in stadiums and on television broadcasts. From Fevernova in 2002 to current designs, All balls have some of the innovative spirit that the Tricolore introduced.
Of the Tango at the Tricolore, a significant evolution
The transition of Tango al Tricolor in the years 90 It wasn't just a design change., but an evolution that reflected the growth and modernization of football as a sport. Advances in materials and manufacturing technology boosted player performance and transformed the ball into a key piece of game strategy.
Today, the legacy of the Tricolore and the World Cup balls that marked the decade of the 90 they left an influence that, continues to be seen in modern balls that continue to raise the standards of quality and design. This decade was fundamental in the history of soccer balls, and remembering the evolution of these iconic balls is paying tribute to an era that forever changed the way football is played and enjoyed.. For many, the best decade in the history of football.
