The adidas Champions League Finale 2017 Capitano replica football, a pristine white sphere emblazoned with the iconic Champions League branding, holds a special place in the hearts of football fans worldwide. This specific model, often referred to as the "Capitano," represents a significant piece of football history, commemorating the thrilling 2017 Champions League final held in Cardiff, Wales. While its official name varies slightly across different retailers and listings (sometimes appearing as "adidas Capitano Soccer Ball," "adidas Finale Capitano Soccer Ball," or even "adidas El Capitano Cardiff 17 Champions League Finale Football"), its distinctive design and performance characteristics make it easily recognizable. This article will delve into the details of this popular replica ball, exploring its design, performance, and overall value, drawing from customer reviews and online marketplace listings.
Design and Aesthetics:
The adidas Champions League Finale 2017 Capitano replica football is instantly recognizable for its clean, classic design. The predominantly white surface provides a stark contrast to the bold, vibrant Champions League logo prominently displayed. This logo, a symbol of European club football's pinnacle competition, is usually rendered in its full color glory against the white background. The panel design, a crucial aspect of any football's construction and performance, is typically a thermally-bonded design for seamless surface, contributing to its consistent bounce and flight characteristics. While the exact panel configuration might vary slightly depending on the manufacturing batch, the overall effect is one of a sleek, modern design that captures the essence of the high-stakes competition it represents.
The "Capitano" moniker itself suggests a level of prestige and quality. While not explicitly stated in all marketing materials, the name likely hints at the ball's status as a high-quality replica, designed to mimic the feel and performance of the official match ball used in the Cardiff final. This aspiration towards replicating the official match ball is a key selling point for many fans, who seek to own a piece of football history or simply enjoy using a well-made, aesthetically pleasing ball.
Performance and Durability:
Customer reviews across various online platforms, such as Amazon (where the ball boasts a 4.6 out of 5-star rating based on 1,452 reviews at the time of writing), consistently highlight the ball's performance characteristics. Many users praise its consistent bounce and predictable flight path, qualities crucial for a satisfying playing experience. The thermally-bonded panels contribute significantly to this, minimizing water absorption and ensuring a consistent feel throughout the game. The lack of water absorption, a common point of praise, is a significant advantage over cheaper, stitched footballs which can become heavy and difficult to control when wet.
However, some reviews also point out a potential drawback: the ball’s durability. While many users report satisfactory longevity, others mention that the ball's outer layer may show signs of wear and tear after extended periods of use, especially on abrasive surfaces. This is not necessarily unexpected, as any football, regardless of price point, will degrade with prolonged use. The durability, therefore, appears to be somewhat dependent on the playing surface and the intensity of use.
Furthermore, some reviews mention a slightly slicker feel than anticipated. This could be attributed to the nature of the material used in the construction of the ball, designed to minimize water absorption. While this characteristic is beneficial in wet conditions, it might require players to slightly adjust their technique compared to balls with a more textured surface.