Germany striker Niclas Füllkrug will wear the iconic three stripes of Adidas for the final time as a national team player before the German Football Association (DFB) concludes its partnership with the manufacturer.
Füllkrug marks the end of an era
The 33-year-old Werder Bremen forward expressed his appreciation for the historic kit during a DFB press conference in Herzogenaurach on Tuesday. As the national team prepares for future cycles, the current black Germany jersey represents a final chapter in a collaboration that has spanned more than seven decades.
“I am really happy that I am allowed to wear this special black jersey,” Füllkrug said. “An era is coming to an end. It is the last time with the three stripes. I am really glad that I can take this jersey home and hang it in my closet because it has a special meaning.”
Seven decades of German football history
The relationship between the German national team and Adidas is fundamentally linked to the country’s football identity, dating back to the 1954 World Cup triumph. Adidas founder Adolf “Adi” Dassler provided the team with lightweight boots featuring screw-in studs, which proved decisive on the rain-soaked pitch during the final against Hungary in Bern.
Since that victory, the partnership has accompanied the men’s team through World Cup titles in 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014, as well as European Championship titles in 1972, 1980, and 1996. The distinctive three-stripe design became a visual constant for generations of German players and fans.
Transition to Nike in 2027
The DFB announced in March 2024 that it would transition to Nike as its official outfitter, a move that sparked debate across Germany. Prominent political figures, including Economy Minister Robert Habeck and Bavaria’s Minister President Markus Söder, publicly questioned the decision to replace a long-standing domestic partner with an American corporation.
The governing body defended the change by citing the financial necessity of securing the association’s future, noting that Nike provided the best offer during the tender process. The current agreement with Adidas remains in effect until December 31, 2026, with the Nike contract scheduled to begin in January 2027 and run through December 2034.
Memories from the Home Ground
The significance of the partnership remains tied to Herzogenaurach, the town where Adidas is headquartered. During the 2024 European Championship, the national team utilized the brand’s “Home Ground” facility as a base for players and their families.
Füllkrug reflected on the atmosphere at the facility, which served as a central point for the squad throughout the summer tournament. “It was nice to come back here in the evenings during the home Euros,” Füllkrug said.
“The families were here. The children were running happily across the ‘Home Ground.’ Even on the evening after our exit against Spain in the quarter-finals, there was a nice sense of community, and it was very nice to be here.”
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