THE VITALS:

Team: Spain

Brand: Adidas

Era: 2017-19 (Used for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the 2020 UEFA European Championship Qualifying campaign and during the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League)

Name/Number: Silva #21

CONDITION: EXCELLENT

This shirt is virtually brand-new! The crest, Adidas embroidery, name and numbering stand immaculately, as does the material of the shirt itself!

DIMENSIONS:

Size: Large Boys

Pit to Pit Measurement: 17.5 inches

Shirt Length: 24 inches 

Made in Adidas’ ‘ClimaLite’ template which they introduced in 2017 and true to the size large boys/32-34 sizing of Adidas; the width is good enough to fit a size small adult, however, the length doesn’t make it suitable for that purpose, so please bare this in mind before buying.

DESCRIPTION:

Continuing their homage to Spain’s classic kits of yesteryear; Adidas prepared the former world and European champions for their foray in Russia also known as the 2018 FIFA World Cup by reprising the diamond pattern down the right hand side of the side, although now diamonds were broken up to create a ghosting effect, it was still an incredible throwback to a classic Spain jersey! Maintaining the rich and bright shade of red for the main body of the shirt from its predecessor, the all red and yellow national team crest was also retained, while the navy and black accents were fully discarded. As per the Adidas’ templates they were using in 2017, the 3 stripes only covers the epilates. Lastly, while the black socks were also retained, indigo shorts took the place of the brighter blue used previously, This strip was worn most famously in the 6-1 drubbing of Argentina on  March 27^th 2018 and the 6-0 beating of Croatia on September 11^th! This would also be the last Spain shirt to be donned the 3 of the heroes of the Euro 2008, Euro 2012 and World Cup 2010 victories: David Silva, Gerrard Pique and Andres Iniesta as they all retired from international football after the World Cup in 2018.

THE SEASON(S):

After concluding a near perfect qualification campaign, ‘La Roja’ ended a fine 2017 by defeating Costa Rica 5-0 before a clash with the hosts of the World Cup, Russia, ended 3-3 in a thrilling friendly in Saint Petersburg on November 14^th.

Julen Lopetegui put his unbeaten record as the Spanish head coach against both: Germany and Argentina in a pair of super-friendlies! He would come out flying colours after drawing with World Champions Germany and punishing Argentina 6-1!  

Lopetugi would continue the momentum with a win over Tunisia and a draw with Switzerland, however, a sensational turn of events saw Real Madrid announce that he would be their new head coach ahead of the 2018-19 season; a decision which prompted the Spanish FA to sack Lopetegui just 2 days before their World Cup opener against Portugal!

Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro was quickly installed as his replacement, and while Spain navigated the Group Stage; they would be eliminated by hosts Russia in a penalty shoot-out at the round of 16, in what was Andres Iniesta, Gerrard Pique, and David Silva’s final stand’s as a Spanish internationals.

Luis Enrique was instated as the new head coach to guide La Roja into their UEFA Nations League foray in a group that also featured England and Croatia. He began with 3 straight wins including a 6-0 demolition of Croatia! Incredibly, they would fall to a pair of 3-2 defeats to both Croatia and England which enable England to reach the semi-final in 2019 at the expense of Spain.

No such mistakes would be made in qualification for Euro 2020 however as the campaign began with 6 straight victories; taking the scalps of: Norway, Malta, Faroe Islands (twice), Sweden and Romania! This cycle of Spain shirts would be used for the last time in the pair of 1-1 draws away against: Norway and Sweden respectively.    

The notable players that season(s) were:

Diego Costa, Iago Aspas, Rodrigo, Lucas Vasquez, Marco Asensio, David Silva, Thiago Alcantara, Isco, Koke, Andres Iniesta, Saul, Alvaro Odriozola Nacho Monreal, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Cesar Azpilicueta, Nacho, Gerard Pique, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Pepe Reina, David De Gea