Adidas' three stripes fade after 70 years - the memory of the jerseys remains as symbols of German football history

The world of money has brought down another great tradition and one that seemed to be an impregnable fortress - it separated the German national football team and Adidas, after 70 years of making history together.

The German Football Association (DFB) announced yesterday that from 2027, the country's national teams will not play in jerseys produced by the domestic brand Adidas, but that after seven decades that honor will go to the American company Nike.

The DFB has not announced how much Nike paid for this contract, but the media reports that it is even twice the amount of the agreement with Adidas.

That money should not be decisive in this story came from the top of the German state. German Deputy Chancellor Robert Habek believes that there should have been more local patriotism here.

"I can't imagine a German jersey without the three stripes - for me Adidas and Germany have always been one, part of our identity," Habek said, as reported by Goal.com.

There are probably many, even outside of Germany, who will agree with the words of the German Vice Chancellor, but the legendary three stripes on the "Elf" jersey are slowly starting to fade.

However, what will never be erased is the history that Germany wrote in Adidas jerseys - since 1954, when it officially began to equip German football.

There were times when the Germans played in non-Adidas jerseys, such as for a short time in the seventies when they were dressed by Erima (adidas subsidiary), but all great successes are tied to the sports equipment giant from Herzogenaurach.

The four world and three European titles that Germany won together with Adidas remain memorable, many great victories, unforgettable moments, but also the jersey designs themselves.

Interestingly, until the 1988 European Championship and the 1990 World Cup, Germany's jerseys were practically the same - a white jersey and black shorts, colors derived from the Prussian flag during the 19th century.

For the aforementioned two championships, Adidas decided to add the colors of the German flag to the sleeves and front of the jersey - for many, even today, the jersey in which Germany won the World Cup in Italy is one of the most beautiful ever.

Black, red and yellow found their place on the jersey many times later, as in the 1992, 1994, 1998, 2006 and 2012 championships, and Adidas brought them back again this year for the Euros, which are played in Germany this summer.

After that championship, Adidas and the "Manšaft" will travel together again to the World Cup in 2026, after which the Nike era begins.