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Football is the most popular ball game in the world. Each boy in childhood, uniting with friends in the yard, tried his hand in it. And the one who was the owner of the ball was given a particularly honorable status among all the others. But football, apart from being a street craze, is a serious sport whose stars command huge salaries and display outstanding personal prowess. In addition to playing and professional activities, there are many passionate amateurs who enjoy and support the performance of their favorite team. There is no doubt that football has become widespread throughout the world.
The ball is the main attribute of the game. And it has its own history of development. Initially, the balls were made from the bladders of animals, therefore they differed not in the best durability. Gradually, under the influence of scientific progress, the ball improved, becoming what we are all used to. The necessary characteristics that soccer balls must have are listed in the Laws of the Game, number two. The modern market offers many varieties of this sports equipment. We have compiled a rating of the best soccer balls of 2022, and our expert Artem Samsonov talked about what you need to pay attention to when choosing.
Top 10 rating according to KP
Editor’s Choice
1. Adidas Tango Rosario (from 1 rubles)
The Adidas Tango Rosario is a replica of the Tango Pasadena ball. The quality is confirmed by the FIFA Inspected certificate. The upper layer in this model is made of synthetic leather (polyurethane). The lining is made up of three layers of synthetic fabric. The ball is suitable for playing indoors and outdoors. There are 32 panels in total, which are fastened together by hand stitching. The camera is made of latex and boasts high quality. The ball size is category 5.
2. TORRES M-Pro (from 1 rubles)
This ball model is more suitable for training or mid-level team games. The top layer is made of microfiber with the addition of latex to improve the quality of elasticity. As for the lining, it consists of four layers of foam and polyviscose, which are glued together with natural latex. The panels of the ball are interconnected by thermal bonding. This method is considered very reliable. The ball is designed to play on the fields of artificial and natural origin. However, on hard ground, there is a risk of excessive wear. The chamber is made of rubber and reinforced with fabric. The ball size is 5.
3. ECOS Pro Hybrid Neon (from 969 rubles)
The top layer of the ECOS Pro Hybrid Neon ball is made of high quality polyurethane. There are 32 panels in total, which are bonded by machine stitching combined with heat sealing. This prevents moisture from getting inside. The chamber is made of butyl rubber, reinforced with nylon. It is worth noting the pleasant design and color of the model. More suitable for soft surfaces, but behaves well on hard surfaces. In general, a quality product at a good price.
What other soccer balls are worth paying attention to
4. Lamborghini PU (from 668 rubles)
This soccer ball is more sharpened for active outdoor play than for professional level. The appearance is decorated with the Lamborghini emblem and in general the ball has a pleasant design. The tire is made of polyurethane, which ensures high reliability. The lining is three-layer, provides good elasticity. The ball chamber is reinforced with winding for greater strength. The panels are machine stitched together. For playing in the yard – the most suitable option.
5.Zenith ZB4 (from 720 rubles)
Zenit ZB4 – soccer ball with the logo of the club “Zenith”. It is not very suitable for a serious level of competition, but for a friendly game of football it is fine. The material of the top layer is polyurethane. The ball is not top level, the panels are fastened with a machine seam. Size category – 5. A good ball for playing in the yard. Plus – low price.
6. Indigo ICE IN027 (from 900 rubles)
This soccer ball has a bright, cute design with interesting colors. The purpose of the model is outdoor games. Also, quite suitable sports tool for football training. Undoubtedly, for outdoor activities with a child, this ball is a great solution. The top layer is of good quality, the material is polyurethane. It is worth noting that 32 panels are connected using hand stitching, which gives the ball reliability and wear resistance. Model size – 5.
7.Select Futsal Mimas IMS 852608 (from 2 rubles)
Select Futsal Mimas IMS 852608 is a professional indoor ball model. Very popular and recommended for training club teams and mid-level competitions. The high quality of the ball is confirmed by the International Matchball Standard certificate. Model 4 sizes with polyurethane surface. The seams are hand-sewn, of a uniquely high quality. The material of the chamber is butyl, which provides good elasticity, strength and balance, which gives excellent control in the game.
8. TORRES Freestyle (from 750 rubles)
The TORRES Freestyle is a soccer ball with a classic combination of white and black panels, stitched together with hand stitching. The model has a high rate of strength and wear resistance. The perfect solution if you need to play on hard surfaces. The ball is more sharpened for regular training. The chamber is made of latex, butyl nipple. The lining consists of four layers of cotton.
9. Adidas Finale 19 OMB (from 5 rubles)
The Adidas Finale 19 OMB is the official ball of the 2019 UEFA Champions League group stage. The Champions League logo is a subtle confirmation of this. The tire is an artificial leather based on polyurethane. The quality of the seams is at the highest level thanks to the heat sealing technology. Chic sphericity of the ball and excellent aerodynamic qualities. The ball is intended for playing on the football field, both with natural and artificial turf. The chamber material is butyl. Stylish pattern thanks to the relief provides better grip with hands, prevents accidental slipping.
10. Indigo SCORPION D04 (from 609 rubles)
Indigo SCORPION D04 is a budget soccer ball model for playing on grass. At the same time, the ball is of good workmanship. The top layer is made of artificial leather based on polyvinyl chloride, which gives the ball excellent strength and resistance to damage. The latex chamber has excellent reliability. There are 32 hand-sewn panels in total. An appropriate solution for training, playing on grass and harder surfaces.
How to choose a soccer ball
It would seem that it is difficult to choose a soccer ball? However, there are many characteristics in which the balls differ. These differences are expressed in size, weight, material, number of panels, playing surfaces, as well as aerodynamic characteristics.dimensionsBalls for halls have a weight of about 420-430 grams, and their circumference varies between 62-64 cm. Next comes the gradation in size.
- Size 1: weight 180-220 grams, circumference 40-42 cm.
- Size 2: weight 283,5, circumference 56 cm. Most often used in souvenirs.
- Size 3: weight 320-340 grams, circumference 58-60 cm.
- Size 4: weight 375-385 grams, circumference 63-66 cm.
- Size 5: weight 430-450 grams, circumference 68-70 cm.
Children’s options for balls are a separate line, they are made specially lighter so that it is easier for a child to get used to the game and come to standard sizes.
Brand
It is worth noting that the balls have their own scope and the concept of “best” is rather arbitrary. For example, some balls are ground for a specific surface and are the best option for this. However, in other conditions they will show not the highest performance. Also, the balls are different in terms of aerodynamics and durability. Bindings to specific brands are not so significant. Of course, Adidas and Nike are the undisputed leaders in the market. These companies spend a lot of money on the development of new models of soccer balls and try to cooperate in every possible way with world-class football leagues. For easier use, balls from lesser-known companies will do. You don’t always have to pay. Focus on your needs and capabilities.
Balls for various surfaces
The best surface for playing football is natural grass. This is the largest category of balls. The size scale is presented from 1 to 5, and the weight ranges from 200 to 450 grams. Here the main criterion is the budget. In addition to natural turf, artificial grass is also often used. Professional balls are best suited for this surface, and budget options can have unpredictable “behavior” on this surface. For hard surfaces (asphalt, soil, etc.), there are special models of balls that have good resistance to heavy wear. Some companies have lines of outdoor balls. Remember, such a ball must have excellent wear resistance – this is the main quality. Specialized models are also made for the football hall, which have their own characteristics of rebound from the surface. For example, not every size 4 ball will be suitable for the hall.
Panel connection
There are no special standards in terms of joining seams, therefore various technologies are used. The thermal seam has the best indicator of reliability due to the high contact density, which prevents moisture from entering. In second place is hand stitching with gluing the seams. The last place is occupied by machine stitching, which is present in simpler models of soccer balls.
Upper layer
The best material for the top layer of the ball is polyurethane. Balls of high class and some of the middle category are made from polyurethane. It is important to take into account the density of polyurethane – the higher it is, the greater the margin of durability. Other common materials are PVC and polypropylene. Such material is often found in models for rigid coatings. They are priced lower than polyurethane balls. As for genuine leather, this material in modern conditions is not the most optimal for a soccer ball. More suitable for collectible models.
Camera
The heart of any ball is its chamber. The main materials here are latex and butyl. It’s hard to tell which one is better, but most high-end balls have a latex bladder. True, such cameras have a minus – it is often necessary to pump up. In addition to tires, butyl is used to produce valves. In more expensive balls, the valves are usually made of silicone.
Manufacturer country
The bulk of the balls are produced in Pakistan, China and Vietnam. You should focus on the brand, not the country. Branded balls are of high quality, as companies fully control the production process.