Bring on the Brazuca! New World Cup ball for Brazil is unveiled... so why won't England use it until next summer?
Steven Gerrard has declared the new World Cup ball will be the best ever after it was officially unveiled in Rio last night - but England won't get to play with it until next summer.
Sportsmail can reveal that the FA will take delivery of the new adidas Brazuca ball - which translates as 'Brazilian' in Portuguese, to describe the Brazilian way of life - on December 16.
Yet Roy Hodgson's team will not kick it competitively until weeks before next summer's tournament under the terms of their lucrative £25million-a-year Nike deal.
Bring on the Brazuca: England captain Steven Gerrard believes the new World Cup ball will be the best yet
Heads up: Brazilian synchronized swimmers Bianca Feres and Branca Feres test out the Brazuca ball
Eye-catching: Three fans at the Brazuca launch party in Rio de Janeiro
Brazil, France, Portugal, USA, Holland, South Korea, Australia and Croatia must also use the ball in their international friendlies leading towards the World Cup and it will be used in the Premier League in the New Year.Instead they must field the Nike Ordem ball that was launched on the eve of Tuesday's Brazuca presentation in an internet video featuring Wayne Rooney and Rory McIlroy.
It means German-based players will have a six-month advantage with the colourful samba-inspired Brazuca, which will be rolled out in the Bundesliga next month.
On the ball: A hostess presents the official ball for the 2014 World Cup
Colourful: An image of Brazuca is projected on to the Parque Lage
In control: Brazil favourites Cafu (left) and Hernane (centre) and Dutchman Clarence Seedorf, who currently plays for Botafogo
World in his hands: Lionel Messi will be hoping to lead Argentina to glory at next summer's showpiece in Brazil
Tried and tested: The ball was used but in disguise during the Argentina v Sweden friendly earlier this year and was also used during the recent FIFA Under 20 World Cup, in which Ross Barkley starred for England (L)
It is possible that England will train with the World Cup ball behind-closed-doors before their next game against Denmark in March.'When you play with different balls in training or a match, having it weeks and months before the tournament is really important,' said Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski, who will get to play with it on Germany duty.
But the Brazuca ball will be familiar to a number of top stars as many have already played with it over the past two-and-a-half years.
It is adidas' most tested football ever and a series of extensive testing has been carried out to ensure it exceeds FIFA regulations, following the controversy caused by the ill-fated Jabulani in 2010, when players panned the tournament match ball.
Michael Carrick compared it to a 'beach ball', Daniel Agger said it made players 'look like drunken sailors' and Julio Cesar claimed it was 'like a ball from a supermarket'.
'We are still proud of Jabulani,' Matthias Mecking, adidas' business unit director, told Sportsmail at an exclusive test event in Germany.
'It was, at that time, the most technically advanced ball.
Robo-boot: The Brazuca underwent a series of extensive tests, including this robotic boot trial, in order to meet and exceed FIFA regulations
Putting the pieces together: The Brazuca ball is comprised of a groundbreaking six-panel design, which improves symmetry, uniformity and efficiency
In the spotlight: The Brazuca will be used throughout next summer's World Cup
'But we always look to evolve our products so our benchmark for the Bruzuaca was not the Jabulani, it was the Tango [Euro 2012 ball].
'It will feel similar to balls they are used to playing with but the technological changes we have made will provide improved grip, touch, stability and aerodynamics on the pitch.'
'It's increased my levels of excitement even further and I honestly cannot wait for the opening game!'
The Brazuca has already been used in 10 countries by 30 teams, with 600 players involved in the trialling.
Samba style: Oscar showcases the ball, which was named the 'Brazuca' following a public poll vote in his native Brazil back in September 2012
Red alert: Barcelona midfielder Xavi shows off his skills with the Brazuca ahead of Spain's World Cup defence
Clubs involved in testing included AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Palmeiras and Fluminese and it was even disguised during the recent Under 20 World Cup and February’s friendly between Sweden and Argentina.
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, who played in that match, said: 'My first impression of the ball is that it’s really good.'
The ball was revealed on Tuesday night with a spectacular 3D light projection launch event held at the iconic Parque Lage in Rio de Janeiro, with World Cup winner Cafu attending along with legendary Holland midfielder Clarence Seedorf and Brazil striker Fred.
Sharp shooters: Spain and Chelsea duo Fernando Torres and Juan Mata (R) put the Brazuca to the test
Captain of the reigning world champions Spain, Iker Casillas, was critical of the Jubalani almost four years ago but now admits he is looking forward to the prospect of playing with the Brazuca.
'Now the ball has been launched the tournament feels a lot closer,' he said.
'I’m looking forward to playing in Brazil with a great ball. Hopefully with Brazuca we can get the same result as in 2010.'
Brazilian star Dani Alves added: 'We’re going to have a lot of fun with it. Most importantly it plays well on the ground and in the air.
England captain Gerrard was one of 287 players who were interviewed about the ball and believes it will be universally popular this time, likening it to one that's used in the Champions League.
Raring to go: Brazil defender Daniel Alves insists he can't wait to play with the new Brazuca at the World Cup
'The sign of a good ball is when no one really talks about it,’ said the Liverpool midfielder.
‘I don’t think anyone will have anything negative to say about Brazuca. I think the feedback from players will be really positive.
'It's very true and reliable, and those are the two most important things I want from a ball.
'The Champions League ball has always been a big favourite among the players because of how reliable it is. Brazuca’s very similar and I think the players will be very happy about that.’
On the volley: Uruguay striker Edison Cavani gets acquainted with the new Brazuca ball
'I want the ball to be as difficult as possible for goalkeepers but I think Brazuca is fair to both sides,' added Gerrard. The Brazuca weighs 437 grams and absorbs just 0.2 per cent of water. It is also the first-ever six-panel ball to improve symmetry, uniformity and efficiency, meaning it is unlikely to deviate in mid-air and cause goalkeepers concern unlike the Jabulani.
'Players and goalkeepers will be happy because it’s a really fair ball.
'I’m sure the ball will perform in the various Brazilian climates. It’s been tested in all conditions and climates. It’s come through those tests with flying colours and that’s all you can ask for as a player.
'One thing’s for sure, there’ll be no excuses with this ball.'
No excuses.
Standing out: The Brazuca is the most colourful World Cup ball yet, as it stands out from the rest of the adidas balls used in the finals dating back to 1970
Steven Gerrard launches the adidas brazuca, the Official match ball of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup
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