The product of a two-and-half-year testing process involving some of the world’s biggest stars, Adidas on Tuesday night unveiled the Brazuca, the official match ball for next summer’s World Cup.

On the ball: Ashley Young, the Manchester United and England midfielder, will be hoping to get familiar with the Brazuca next summer 

Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Lionel Messi and Iker Casillas were involved in the development of the ball, whose six identical panels, alongside a new surface structure will, according to adidas, provide “improved grip, touch, stability and aerodynamics”. The makers say it is the most tested Adidas ball of all time.

Dani Alves, Barcelona’s Brazilian star, said: “My first impression of the Brazuca is of a ball that is fantastic and we are going to have a lot of fun with it. adidas has crfeated an incredible-looking ball fitting for a tournament as big as the Fifa World Cup. Most importantly, it plays well on the ground and in the air. I’m sure all the players will love it.”

The technology incorporated into the bladder and carcass of Braz

 

 

Adidas say the Brazuca has been tested to meet and exceed all Fifa metrics for an official match ball.

The ball, the successor to the Adidas jabulani used at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, has already been tested in competitive international matches, at the Under-20s World Cup, with a different print design, and in the friendly between Sweden and Argentina last February.

Messi testing a disguised Brazuca during Argentina's friendly with Sweden

And why Brazuca? The name is an informal local term which means Brazilian or describes the Brazilian way of life. The colours and ribbon design of the ball panels symbolise the traditional multi-coloured wish bracelets worn in the country.

The ball, which is being taken on a world tour, goes on sale on Wednesday, priced at around £100.