Gloves

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has taken matters into his own hands by acquiring Belgian goalkeeper glove brand REAL. Courtois debuted the gloves in Real Madrid's 1-0 victory over Villarreal, officially taking the pitch in equipment produced by his own company.

The Belgian shot-stopper has a long personal history with the brand, having worn REAL gloves during his breakthrough years at Genk before moving abroad. Founded in Tongeren over three decades ago by Benny and Sabine Vanhaeren, the company was bought by Courtois through his co-owned firm Bruwag in summer 2026.

The switch follows the end of Courtois' three-year partnership with Elite Sport, who confirmed that the goalkeeper decided to part ways after purchasing the Belgian label. Wearing custom pairs featuring his own name and the REAL logo, Courtois joins an exclusive list of footballers competing in their own branded gear.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez debuted a unique pair of custom golden Adidas Predator goalkeeper gloves during a recent match against England. The bespoke design was created exclusively for the shot-stopper by Adidas to commemorate a major individual milestone. Big thanks to @marcadegol.

The special edition gloves were presented to Martinez following his second consecutive Yashin Trophy win, honoring his standing as the best goalkeeper in world football. The design features a prominent metallic gold colorway across the backhand and punch zone, serving as a direct visual tribute to the prestigious award.

While the gloves sport this exclusive golden aesthetic, they utilize the standard technology and specifications of the current Adidas Predator goalkeeper line. These celebratory gloves appear to be a player-exclusive creation tailored specifically for Martinez, with no indications of a wider retail release from the Three Stripes.

During Spain vs Belgium, the Spanish goalkeeper played in a modified pair of Reusch gloves, with the brand's signature "R" logo completely removed. This adjustment was made to meet strict FIFA rules. Big thanks to @jerseystory_vn for spotting this interesting detail.

According to section 18.4.1 of the FIFA Equipment Regulations, a manufacturer's logo on goalkeeper gloves must not exceed 20cm² and can only appear once. Because the full "Reusch" text logo was already printed on the index finger, the additional "R" logo on the back had to be removed.

However, likely due to a referee oversight, Simón still managed to play with his original, unmodified gloves - featuring both logos, during Spain's final group stage match against Uruguay.

Alongside Unai Simón, several other high-profile goalkeepers, including Álisson Becker and Gregor Kobel, are also wearing similar Reusch gloves at the 2026 World Cup.

Nike has officially recognized Guillermo Ochoa's historic achievement as the legendary Mexican goalkeeper makes his sixth FIFA World Cup appearance at the 2026 tournament. Joining an elite group of players to have reached this milestone, Ochoa's incredible longevity and dedication to the national team are being honored by his long-time sponsor.

To mark the occasion, Nike has created special custom gear for Ochoa, including a unique pair of goalkeeper gloves. The commemorative gloves feature the message "Seis convocatorias. 24 años rompiendo el guión. ¡Gracias, Memo!" (Six call-ups. 24 years breaking the script. Thank you, Memo!), paying tribute to his remarkable 24-year journey on the international stage.

Ochoa continues to be a crucial figure for Mexico. The special Nike tribute not only highlights his individual success but also cements his legacy as one of the most iconic goalkeepers in World Cup history.