Archival Rummaging: adidas Copa Mundial (2001)
Timeless products are something every brand aspires to be able to create. An item so perfectly designed, that it transcends decades and retains relevance with every year that passes by.
Designed in 1979 in preparation for the upcoming World Cup in 1982, the adidas Copa Mundial football boot takes its namesake from the Spanish translation of the competition. The tried and tested black & white colour combination had been used numerous times prior to the Copa Mundia,l on boots such as the Effet, Cosmos, and Achilles. The beauty of each of these boots lies in the subtle changes made within each one in order to improve the design year after year. Some of the most noticeable differences sit around the toe box, the most important area for development which would help transform the game of football as we know it and alter the ways a player strikes the ball.
Variations in stitch pattern create varying bumps and panels around the toe, and when these come into contact with the ball in different combinations can affect the way in which a ball spins in the air. Later developments 12 years after the Copa Mundial by Liverpool legend Craig Johnston would result in the first rendition of the revolutionary Predator boot line.
The Copa was popular amongst players across the globe throughout its introduction in 1979. As you look through various international squad photos from this era you can see a spattering off different brands on display, but in West Germany in particular you can see them on the feet of every player in the line-up, showcasing Dassler’s influence in the sporting world. Worn on the feet of numerous legends of the time such as Gerd Muller and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (who would later lead Germany to two finals with the boots on feet) the boots would then continue momentum to become the brands best selling boot of all time.
A pair fell into my hands recently when sourcing props for a shoot, and oddly enough I hadn’t thought to check what year they might be (the perils of buying random bits with only 2 photos on eBay!) It turns out they were from 2001 and Made in Germany, and if you’re into your vintage product you’ll know the historic value of these Made in Europe products by adidas. Various adidas trainers and boots were made in various European facilities throughout the 70’s and 80’s until production transitioned over to Asia in a move to cut costs, but production of the Copa Mundial continued, and still continues to this day to be produced in Germany within the brands Scheinfeld facility.
All in all, the Copa Mundial has always been a consistent workhorse. As boots have developed over the years and relied more on synthetic materials and gotten lighter and lighter, the Copa has stayed relatively the same albeit a few slight development tweaks. A couple variations have been made in recent years to align more with the laceless sock look to bring it into the present day, but it just doesn’t work. They tried the same with the Predator but you just don’t get the same feeling from it. You can’t beat a classic.
