Adidas Jabulani 2010 World Cup Reaches Incredible Prices - Should Adidas Re-release It?
Jan 28, 2024, by Phan Tich Giay
- Price Surge: The Adidas Jabulani 2010 World Cup ball has seen its price rise to €499 due to its unique characteristics and demand.
- Player Criticism: The Jabulani ball was widely criticized by players for its unstable movement and trajectory, leading to unpredictable swerves and swoops.
- Collectibility: Despite the negative feedback from players, the ball has become a sought-after item, especially within the free-kick community, leading to high prices on secondary markets.
One of the most controversial balls in history, the Adidas Jabulani World Cup 2010 has seen its price rise to a staggering €499.
Adidas Jabulani 2010 World Cup Reaches Incredible Prices
At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Adidas introduced the all-new Jabulani ball. However, after a short period of experience, most players felt that this ball was not good and was of a lower quality than previous balls.
“The football is horrible,” said Julio Cesar. “It is like one of those you buy in the supermarket.”
Why is this ball so opposed? It's because the ball's movement and trajectory are unstable, the way it dips and changes direction seems to defy the laws of physics. Julio Cesar added: "At the last moment its path might change, as if taken away by a gust of wind.", via The Independent.
During that year's World Cup, we still remember Robert Greene's missed catch of Clint Dempsey's not-so-dangerous shot.
That's why the Adidas Jabulani 2010 ball looks like a nightmare for any goalkeeper at the 2010 World Cup. However, the only player who really seems to enjoy the wild, uncontrollable nature of the Jabulani is Diego Forlan. So far, Forlan's magical long-range shots are still fresh in our minds: the rocket against South Africa, the knuckle-ball free-kick against Ghana and the curve against the Netherlands.
The Jabulani 2010 ball has 8 connecting panels with grooves and aerodynamic lines, giving the Jabulani ball a critical speed of around 55mph, which is higher than the previous Teamgeist 2006 ball. This is the main reason for many complaints from players.
Put simply, the new design led to an increase in speed, which in turn resulted in a knuckle-ball effect: volatile swerves and swoops caused by the asymmetry and aforementioned “roughness” of the ball.
The change has also meant that long passes and crosses are constantly deviating from normal directions. Statistics from Opta confirm that there were more missed passes in the quarter-finals than at any previous World Cup.
However, it is this unpredictable movement and trajectory of the Jabulani 2010 ball that makes it so sought after. It has been 14 years since the Jabulani ball was first released, but its appeal is still strong. Especially for football youtubers who really want to experience this 'magical' ball. The Jabulani 2010 ball seems to have become a symbol in the free-kick community.
To this day, Jabulani balls are sold on Ebay and many other e-commerce sites at very high prices. Even used-hand balls are selling at much higher prices than they did back then.
Do you like the Jabulani 2010 ball? Are you surprised by the incredible price of the Jabulani ball? Comment below.
Helmond Sport 26-27 Home Kit Released
Dutch Eerste Divisie side Helmond Sport have officially revealed their new 2026-27 home kit, produced by Saller. Themed 'De rode draad die ons verbindt' (The red thread that connects us), the new shirt is designed to represent the story of the club's life, its supporters, and its history. The Saller Helmond Sport 2026-27 home kit will be available for pre-order starting July 1, 2026.
DOAF x Nike Total 90 Beautiful Game Shoes Revealed
The DOAF x Nike Total 90 "Beautiful Game" Sneakers have been revealed, a highly limited collaboration.
Celebrating the iconic Total 90 football boot lineage, these special edition lifestyle sneakers are restricted to a strict production run of just 300 pairs worldwide. The DOAF x Nike Total 90 "Beautiful Game" shoes will be officially released on July 14th and will be available exclusively via GOAT.
FC Barcelona 26-27 Kit & Font Revealed
FC Barcelona's new kit for the 2026-27 season has been just revealed, including an all-new kit typeface.
Sheffield Wednesday Announce Umbro Kit Deal
Sheffield Wednesday and Umbro have officially announced a multi-year partnership, reuniting the two British football brands. Starting from the 2026-27 season, the famous Double Diamond logo will once again feature on the club's home, away, and third kits, replacing previous supplier Macron.
The reunion brings a heavy dose of nostalgia for the Owls. Umbro previously supplied Sheffield Wednesday's kits during a highly successful period from 1984 to 1993, an era that included memorable cup runs and the club's historic 1991 League Cup triumph at Wembley Stadium.
Meyba Willem II 26-27 130th Anniversary Home Kit Released
The new Willem II home shirt was released today to celebrate the club's 130th anniversary. Made by new supplier Meyba, who replace Robey, the Willem II 2026-27 home kit will be worn in the Eredivisie.
The Meyba Willem II 2026-27 home jersey features the club's classic tricolor design with red, white, and blue vertical stripes. In a nod to the club's heritage and to keep the design as pure as possible for the 130-year milestone, the kit does not feature a main sponsor on the front.
This release marks the first kit produced by Meyba for the Dutch club following the announcement of their partnership in March 2026.
Bochum 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
The new VfL Bochum 2026-27 home and away kits were officially released today. Made by Mizuno, the new kits will be worn in the upcoming 2. Bundesliga campaign. The launch is centered around the theme "Du trägst es in dir" (You carry it inside you), celebrating the deep connection between the club, its crest, and the fans.
The Mizuno VfL Bochum 2026-27 home shirt features a gradient design transitioning from dark floodlight blue to royal blue. The focal point of the design is the club crest, which represents the heart of the team and connects generations of supporters.
The Mizuno VfL Bochum 2026-27 away shirt offers a contrasting look in light blue with a unique graphic design and a patterned collar.
Shrewsbury Town 26-27 Away Kit Released
Shrewsbury Town's new 2026-27 away kit was officially released today.
The Oxen Sports Shrewsbury Town 2026-27 away shirt introduces a vibrant look, featuring an amber base combined with blue trim on the collar and cuffs. Subtle stripes are incorporated directly into the fabric to give the shirt a textured finish.
