From the Telstar to the Brazuca via the farce of the Jabulani... how the World Cup ball has developed through the years

By Charlie Scott and Oliver Todd

Published: 03:27 EST, 7 June 2014 | Updated: 07:36 EST, 7 June 2014


Complete with its own Twitter account, the 2014 World Cup ball has been making its presence felt in the build-up to the tournament, posting pictures from around the world and interacting with footballers and fans.

More than one million Brazilian football fans voted for the name Brazuca, which is an informal term used in Brazil to describe national pride as well as being slang for ‘Brazilian’. Two other options were given: Bossa Nova and Carnavalesca.

Feel for it: Beckham poses with the Fevernova ball of 2002 for the Japan and Korea World Cup

Feel for it: Beckham poses with the Fevernova ball of 2002 for the Japan and Korea World Cup

Improvement: Teams will use the 'Brazuca' ball for the World Cup this summer in Brazil

Improvement: Teams will use the 'Brazuca' ball for the World Cup this summer in Brazil 

Produced in Pakistan and China, the ball has six bonded polyurethane panels that interlock like a jigsaw. The inside of the ball, nylon wound to give a soft touch, is the same as this season’s official Champions League match ball.

It is adidas’ most tested football ever with extensive testing carried out to ensure it exceeds FIFA regulations following the controversy caused by the ill-fated Jabulani in 2010.

 

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Clubs involved in testing included AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Palmeiras and Fluminese and it was used in February’s friendly between Sweden and Argentina as well as the Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona in April.

Many national sides did not get to use the Brazuca until just weeks ago, despite the ball being used in the Bundesliga since the start of the year.

Below, Sportsmail takes a look at how the World Cup ball has evolved since 1970...

Strike: Michael Owen scores one of England's most famous World Cup goals with the Tricolore in 1998

Strike: Michael Owen scores one of England's most famous World Cup goals with the Tricolore in 1998

 

Telstar

Used: Mexico 1970 and West Germany 1974

Description: A beautiful relationship began in 1970 as Adidas provided footballs for a World Cup for the first time. Named after a communications satellite launched from Florida in 1962, the leather Telstar boasted 32 panels with white hexagons and black pentagons, a design aimed to provide maximum visibility on television. Just 20 footballs were provided for Mexico 1970, with an estimated 600,000 replicas sold worldwide.

Best goal: Not just the best goal of the 1970 World Cup but perhaps the greatest goal in any World Cup. Brazil captain Carlos Alberto sealed their third trophy with a thumping finish to make it 4-1 in the final against Italy following a fluent passing move involving eight outfield players.

Greats: World champions England and Brazil line up in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico

Greats: World champions England and Brazil line up in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico

 

Tango

Used: Argentina 1978 and Spain 1982

Description: Adidas appropriately named the 1978 World Cup ball Tango, to fit with the host nation Argentina. The Tango was the first ball to feature Adidas’ curved triangles trademark, known as ‘triads’. The Tango Espana, used in 1982, had a polyurethane coating to repel water.

Best goal: Italy beat Germany 3-1 in the final of the 1982 World Cup in Madrid, with Marco Tardelli adding the Azzurri’s third with a cracking strike from the edge of the box. The striker’s celebration was just as good, as he streamed towards the bench gesturing with his hands like only Italian’s know how.

Moments: Italy's Marco Tardelli (left) and Antonio Cabrini celebrate victory at the end of the 1982 final

Moments: Italy's Marco Tardelli (left) and Antonio Cabrini celebrate victory at the end of the 1982 final

A classic: Mario Kempes of Argentina with the adidas Tango ball

A classic: Mario Kempes of Argentina with the adidas Tango ball

 

Azteca

Used: Mexico 1986

Description: Based on an Aztec mural, the Azteca was the first synthetic ball used at a World Cup, intended to give strength to the ball, help it keep its shape in altitude conditions and fully repel water.

Best goal: Diego Maradona will testify for the Azteca’s punchability but minutes before his Hand of God goal that knocked England out he had scored one of the greatest goals of all time, slaloming past a gaggle of awestruck England players after picking the ball up (with his feet) inside his own half and then sliding the ball into an empty net.

Unstoppable: Diego Maradona skips past the England defence in the World Cup quarter final in 1986

Unstoppable: Diego Maradona skips past the England defence in the World Cup quarter final in 1986

 

Etrusco

Used: Italy 1990

Description: Intended to represent an Etruscan lion, the synthetic ball had a neoprene layer to make it water-tight and a black polyurethane layer to aid control and speed.

Best goal: The last 16 pitted reigning champions Argentina against their South American rivals Brazil, with the game decided by a flash of brilliance from Maradona and a cool finish from Claudio Cannigia.

Brazil had successfully stifled the threat of Argentina’s No 10 until the 80th minute when he shrugged off the attention of two defenders and threaded a past through to Cannigia, who shimmied his way past Taffarel and fired home. 

Back of the net: Gary Lineker scores with the Etrusco ball against West Germany in 1990

Back of the net: Gary Lineker scores with the Etrusco ball against West Germany in 1990

 

Questra 

Used: USA 1994

Description: Stars were incoroporated into the trademark triads on the Questra, to indicate the USA’s ‘quest for the stars’. After being developed in France the ball was tested by players in Europe and the USA before the 1994 World Cup began. Made from five materials including a white polyethylene foam layer aimed to help boost speed and make it softer and easier for players to control.

Best goal: Saudi Arabia’s Saeed Al-Owairan’s unforgettable goal against Belgium saw him dubbed ‘The Maradona of the Arabs’. The midfielder gained possession deep in his own half and dashed dash past four Belgian players on his way into the box, where he then blasted a shot past Michel Preud’homme.

Darting: The Questra, the ball used in the 1994 World Cup in USA, won by Brazil

Darting: The Questra, the ball used in the 1994 World Cup in USA, won by Brazil

 
The Tricolore ball for the 1998 World Cup

Tricolore

Used: France 1998

Description: Based on an entirely new synthetic material featuring ‘syntactic foam’, the Tricolore claimed to provide better compression and more explosive rebound characteristics.

Davor Suker ended up as top scorer, evidently taking advantage of the ball’s ‘gas-filled micro-bubbles’ that were supposed to provide stability.

Best goal: Dennis Bergkamp vs Argentina – the Dutch playmaker gently brought down the Tricolore with his right boot, tapped it through Roberto Ayala’s legs and blasted it into the top corner in one of the World Cup’s most memorable moments.

Infamous: Dennis Bergkamp wheels away in celebration after scoring a superb goal against Argentina

Infamous: Dennis Bergkamp wheels away in celebration after scoring a superb goal against Argentina

 

Fevernova

Used: Korea and Japan 2002

Description: A champagne tinge replaced the traditional white Tricolore as the base colour for the six-layered Fevernova after three years of improvement at adidas’ research centre in Germany.

Over 2,500 balls were supplied for the finals and Ronaldo managed to slot its polyurethane abrasion-resistant coating past ‘keepers in every round bar one as Brazil took home the trophy.

Best goal: Edmilson vs Costa Rica – a flowing Brazilian passing move ended with the defensive midfielder’s brilliant bicycle kick, his only goal for Brazil.

Heads up: Steven Gerrard and David Beckham pose with the Fevernova ball of 2002

Heads up: Steven Gerrard and David Beckham pose with the Fevernova ball of 2002

 

Teamgeist

Used: Germany 2006

Description: The Teamgeist’s 14-panel design was sold as being precise and consistent but was criticised by players for being too light and performing differently in wet conditions.

Fortunately the controversial ball didn’t steal the spotlight in the latter stages – that fell to Zinedine Zinade who bowed out of his last World Cup with a headbutt in the final.

Best goal: Joe Cole vs Sweden - While Esteban Cambiasso’s 26-pass goal was fantastic, Cole’s stunning effort perfectly showed why goalkeepers hated the Teamgeist.

Volley: Joe Cole scores a screamer with the Teamgeist ball in the 2006 tournament in Germany

Volley: Joe Cole scores a screamer with the Teamgeist ball in the 2006 tournament in Germany

 

Jabulani

Used: South Africa 2010

Description: ‘Jabulani’ means ‘to celebrate’ – but this ball was the most controversial of them all and even underwent tests by NASA to figure out what was wrong with it.

Its ‘grip ’n’ groove profile circles’ were supposed to give it optimal aerodynamics but the complaints from the likes of Lionel Messi, Julio Cesar and Robinho meant the ball was blamed for the tournament’s early goal drought.

Best goal: Frank Lampard vs Germany – Jermain Defoe lost the ball on the edge of the area and Lampard quickly improvised to send a dipping shot on Manuel Neuer, against the bar, and over the line – although referee Jorge Larrionda disagreed.

Farce: Many goalkeepers complained about the flight of the Jabulani ball used in the 2010 tournament

Farce: Many goalkeepers complained about the flight of the Jabulani ball used in the 2010 tournament

 

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Italy beat Germany 3-1 in the final of the 1982 World Cup in Madrid, with Marco Tardelli adding the Azzurri¿s third ............................ Tardelli scored the second

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Tricolore was my childhood ball, it was what a ball should feel like.

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DISGRACEFUL JOURNALISM AND RESEARCH--- 'but minutes before his Hand of God goal......he had scored' WRONG INCORRECT LAZY POOR

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I remember the fevernova being hard as hell.

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Lampard's "goal" the best of the 2010 WC? You 'avin a laugh DM? Van Bronckhorst's cracker against Uruguay top's the list, quite comfortably. Easy on the patriotism eh?

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Bring back the mitre delta, best of the lot!!!

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I prefer the old leather 'caseball' with the inflatable bladder and tied up with a lace. The leather soaked up water like a sponge and doubled the weight, the lace always came loose and was a threat to your eyes if you headed it.

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This current generation would not cope with it, Bill. I have kicked lighter boulders and still have the imprint of the laces on my forehead. So lets be thankful for progress. Mitre, now there is a classic football.

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I once had the misfortune to head one when it was wet ... I very nearly lost my head.

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only england complained about the juballi coz they lost against spain. idiots.

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Idiots? Your a fine one too talk with a picture like that.

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You made my day ,dodo ! Just for your knowledge - England never meet Spain in an official WC game since 1982 . Great self portrait you posted !

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Jubulani was lush.. the official match ball replica for 49.99 was quite plasticy on the outside, though making it terrible for street soccer as it lasted only a few hard kicks before its shape went...

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That was a ripoff ! In Australia was only 29.99 AUD ! A 12 yo kid showed me how to kick this ball from 25 yards . Right in the middle with all the power you can manage and just little bit off the tip of your booth ! 8 times out of 10 the ball went under the cross bar .Twice it hit the bar ! Always cleared the planks wall in front of him at 10 yards.

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Questra all day

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