B Club Only Now: How Flamengo Lost Its Status As Adidas Elite Team
When we gave an overview of the Adidas pyramid of football clubs some days ago, some Brazilian fans and avid followers were surprised that Flamengo is not an Adidas Elite team...
Adidas Elite Teams Until 201X
In fact, we listed Flamengo as an Elite Team in our last ranking, but we revised this for our latest update - let us explain why.
Adidas, Nike & Puma - The Top Clubs Of Each Brand From 2020-21
Ahead of the Brazil 2014 World Cup, Adidas wanted Flamego to become a top team
Adidas signed the record 10-years deal with Brazilian team Flamengo in 2012, 18 months ahead of the 2014 World Cup. The ten-year agreement from Flamengo with Adidas is worth around 17 million Euro / season, making it the biggest ever signed by a Latin American club.
Adidas 2016 Annual Press Release
Back in 2013, Adidas has seen Flamengo as an Elite team, as revealed by Adidas company spokesman Lars Mangels.
Adidas in 2013: the contract is similarly high as a partnership with FC Bayern Munich or Real Madrid
"Flamengo is the top club for Brazil. Especially with the soccer World Cup next year, it is important for us to position ourselves well there. We have succeeded in this," enthused Adidas company spokesman Lars Mangels. "Because of the importance of the CR Flamengo in Brazil, the contract for adidas is [was] similarly high as a partnership with FC Bayern Munich or Real Madrid".
Flamengo Only in "B Clubs" Category In Current Adidas 'Catalog'
Adidas teams in 2015 - "no B Clubs"
Adidas had given Flamengo the same treatment as their other A Clubs since the start of the deal in 2013. In 2016, Flamengo was still an Adidas top club, part of the brand's fan-designed 'Creators' jerseys.
Flamengo lost its status as Elite club between 2016 and 2018
However, when the Three Stripes released the 2017-2018 third kits, Flamengo was not part of the global release image. Later Elite-team-only collections did not include CR Flamengo (such as the CNY jerseys and global pre-match top club designs). Flamengo lost its status as Elite club between 2016 and 2018.
There are several possible reasons why Flamengo lost its status as Adidas Elite Team. Most importantly, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was one of the main reasons for Flamengo to become a top Adidas team. In these years, Adidas did not manage to bring Flamengo on the same level as Real Madrid or Bayern globally.
It is safe to assume that the team's kits did not sell as good as of other Elite teams internationally - Adidas sometime (around 2016) decided to stop labeling Flamengo was Elite team.
Around 2016, Adidas also introduced its "B Teams" category for teams. Flamengo is a B Team in the latest Adidas catalog.
Adidas did not manage to bring Flamengo on the same level as Real Madrid or Bayern globally
However, CR Flamengo is still among the best Adidas clubs, they are just not an Elite team anymore. They are now on a similar level as teams as Boca, Ajax, River Plate and Bordeaux.
Adidas changed their strategy of the 2010s meanwhile
We do not think that Flamengo will become an Adidas elite team again in the near future. In fact, Adidas recently signed quite many smaller Englsih & German clubs again, a change of their strategy of the 2010s.
Would you like Flamengo to be a top Adidas team again? Is there any team that should become an Adidas top club (e.g. Boca, River Plate)? Comment below.
Cristiano Ronaldo Wears Special FIFA Legacy Patch at 2026 World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo debuted a special FIFA Legacy sleeve patch on his Portugal kit during the 2026 World Cup, marking his historic sixth tournament appearance from 2006 to 2026.
Cristiano's Legacy badge features his signature pose.
The Legacy patch is an exclusive FIFA honor introduced to recognize players who have been selected for five or more World Cup squads. Ronaldo becomes the fourth player to wear the badge at the 2026 tournament, joining an elite group that includes Lionel Messi and Luka Modric, who are also sporting the Legacy patch alongside their respective individual award badges.
Adidas Teases Predator 1994 to 2026 World Cup Connection
Adidas has officially teased a connection between the original 1994 Predator boot and the upcoming 2026 World Cup. In a recent social media update, the brand highlighted the legacy of the iconic Predator silo, which was initially launched for the 1994 tournament hosted in the USA.
With the 2026 World Cup set to be co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, Adidas is celebrating this 32-year journey as a full-circle moment for the boot. The brand noted that the Predator was made for the 1994 World Cup, and the tournament made the boot a legend. By stating that the road to glory continues, Adidas strongly suggests the upcoming release of special edition boots or a dedicated 2026 World Cup Predator model that pays homage to the 1994 original.
The teaser was accompanied by images showcasing the evolution of the Predator boot from its debut to its modern iteration. This announcement builds on recent Predator re-releases and limited editions, generating anticipation for what Adidas has planned for the 2026 tournament.
FC Barcelona 26-27 Home Kit Spotted on Sale Early
The new FC Barcelona 2026-27 home kit has been spotted on sale early at a Nike Store in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, well ahead of its official launch. Shared by kit expert @memorabilia1899/@mohmash_, the retail images showcase the physical version of the shirt, which features unique multi-shade red and blue stripes designed as a tribute to the renovated Camp Nou.
