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News, Blog and GuidesNow firmly established as a pre-Xmas institution, AS come to the rescue in solving the issue of what to get the sports fanatic in your life with our last minute gift guide.
Paul Reidypaulreidy67Update: Dec 10th, 2023 17:34 EST
With the countdown to 25 December well underway, the head scratching begins with many wondering …’what should I get’…. Once again we endeavour to come to to the rescue after compiling a listing of some of the finest sports-related products to suit every budget for Christmas 2023.
1) Argentina retro 1994 jersey remake
Approximately a year ago, the Albiceleste lifted the World Cup trophy for the third time with a dramatic win over France in Lusail. As smart as the classic home colours of sky and blue stripes are, it’s the 1994 remake jersey that really catches our eye with images of a euphoric Diego Maradona celebrating his goal over Greece in one of his last ever international appearances simply everlasting.
Argentina 1994 jersey, available via Adidas ($120)
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Argentina x Adidas 1994 remake
2) Gremio x CFS Ugly Christmas Jumper
The ‘ugly’ Christmas jumper is now something of a yuletide institution with the good folk at Manchester based Classic Football Shirts creating a whole series of jumpers based on iconic football jerseys of the past: Flamengo, Sampdoria, Man City, River Plate, Arsenal and many national teams get the ‘ugly’ treatment but the ever iconic blue, white and black Gremio ‘tricolor’ is ugly with a small ‘u’.
Gremio x CFS ugly sweater available from Classic Football Shirts ($50)
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CFS x Gremio ugly jumper
3) Inter Miami CF adidas Originals Pink Handball Spezial Samba Shoe
The reaction to the first official Inter Miami sneaker has been spectacular with the first batch selling out within 24 hours.
The Inter Miami CF adidas Originals Pink Handball Spezial Samba Shoe features the club’s iconic pink, black and white principal colours with the club’s heron logo featured on the tongue. The shoe also features a rubber outsole, leather upper, textile lining, suede upper and overlays, and three black leather stripes.
The special edition Inter Miami 2getherness shoes are now available from the official Inter Miami/MLS online store ($110)
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4) Jurgen Klopp x Wilson Elite Padel racket
What do David Beckham, Zlatan, Zinedine Zidane, Robert Van Persie and Thiago Alcantara all have in common? They have all become hooked on the game of padel. Quickly becoming the world’s fastest growing sport, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is such a fan that he insisted that court be built at the Reds’ Melwood training complex. The German has even launched a padel racket in a joint venture with racket specialists Wilson.
The Jurgen Klopp x Wilson Elite Padel Racket is available via Wilson ($190)
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Klopp x Wilson Elite Padel Racket
5) MLS 2024 season official matchball
Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 1994 USA World Cup, the new Adidas 2024 MLS ball combines a white base with vibrant colors that draw inspiration from the 90s era which claims to be a celebration of the year that saw the establishment of the Major League Soccer (MLS).
“Roll back the clock and celebrate the year that birthed MLS – a time full of iconic jerseys, denim on denim and neon.” – MLS.
MLS x Adidas 2024 matchball available at various prices
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6) Megan Rapinoe Funko Pop
2023 was the year when Rapinoe finally hung up her boots after an incredible career as a player on the pitch and as an activist off the field.
World Cup wins and Olympic golds with the USWNT star hugely instrumental in securing a historic equal pay deal for the US Women’s team.
Find a space on your desk for one of the heroines of the modern world.
Rapinoe Funko Pop available via Amazon ($25)
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Rapinoe x Funko Pop
7) Club León: Club World Cup limited edition jersey
A win over LAFC in the Concacaf Champions League final last June sees ‘La Fiera’ take their place for the first time ever at the forthcoming FIFA Club World Cup which will be staged in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah in mid December with the Mexican side set to face Urawa Red Diamonds in the quarter finals.
To commemorate the ‘verdiblancos’ first ever CWC appearance, the club and locals Mexican sports brand Charly have presented a limited edition shirt which León will sport in the Gulf.
Leon x limited CWC jersey available via Charly Futbol ($160)
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Club Leon x Charly CWC shirt
8) Unfit and Improper Persons: An Idiot’s Guide to Owning a Football Club book
A book from the people who bring you the twice weekly and always worth a listen ‘The Price of Football’ podcast.
A look at the murky world of securing and running a football club with insight from football finance expert and Brighton fan Kieran Maguire, comedian, Palace fan and the show’s main presenter Kevin Day and producer of the show Guy Kilty.
‘A very funny book that tackles some serious football issues.’ Gary Lineker
Unfit and Improper Persons: An Idiot’s Guide to Owning a Football Club, available via Amazon ($30)
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Unfit and Improper Persons: An Idiot’s Guide to Owning a Football Club
9) Inter Miami x Adidas away jersey
Vogue magazine has listed the Inter Miami home shirt as one the fifteen fashion items that defined 2023 and the arrival of Leo Messi to South Florida has seen the MLS side become a truly global brand.
Despite the classic pink home shirt making the Vogue fashion listing, it’s the black ‘La Noche’ 2023 away jersey that gets our vote with the subtle details and black-pink combo both elegant and striking.
Inter Miami ‘La Noche’ authentic away jersey available via MLS Store (authentic version $164)
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Inter Miami away jersey 2023
10) fubo TV subscription
With packages to suit every budget, fubo TV is the ideal destination for the sports fan in the US.
Stream NFL, NBA and MLB, NHL, NASCAR, MLS, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, college sport and an incredible array of soccer including La Liga, UEFA Champions League, English Premier League, Serie A, Ligue 1, Primeira Liga and Liga MX.
