How to spot a fake Adidas football shirt?

Distinguishing between a fake and an original football shirt is becoming increasingly difficult. Illegal manufacturers in China and Thailand are finding ever-better techniques and selling the shirts at low prices. This is also the case with Adidas shirts; resale platforms are flooded with counterfeits. In this blog, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide to telling the difference between a fake and an authentic Adidas football shirt.

Checking the style code tag is the first and most important step. On Adidas shirts manufactured after approximately 2012, this tag is located in the collar. On older shirts, it is found next to the large washing labels at the bottom of the shirt.

The top of the label shows the month and year the shirt was produced. Directly below that, you will find the style code; this code identifies the specific shirt model and is therefore identical for all shirts of that type. Type this code into Google and look at the image results. If you see different shirts, or numerous photos of style code tags alongside unreliable Asian retailers, your shirt is 100% fake. If you see the exact shirt listed by trusted sellers, this is a good sign and you can continue with the next steps.

The Adidas logo comes in various versions. There is the old Adidas logo with the text underneath, the new logo without text, and the Adidas Originals logo. In the images below, you can see the new (original) logo on the left and the old (fake) logo on the right.

On the original shirt, all the edges are neatly finished, and the logo looks premium. On the fake shirt, the edges are sloppily finished, and the fabric puckers slightly around the logo. Additionally, the logo is crooked, and its shape is not quite right. On an original Adidas football shirt, the logo should always look like it does on the left image: neat and premium.

On an original Adidas football shirt, the club or national team badge always matches the actual badge, meaning all spacing must be consistent, and the font style and line thickness should be identical.

Replicating complex badges, such as that of Real Valladolid, remains very difficult for counterfeit manufacturers, so errors are frequently made in this area. However, the manufacturer of this fake Real Valladolid shirt did a really good job and made the badge almost identical to the real thing, making it almost impossible to distinguish. Look up the badge on Google and check if it matches the one on the shirt. This step requires a keen eye for detail and, above all, the ability to accurately compare the badges.

Adidas fan version shirts feature Aeroready technology. These shirts are made from durable, breathable material, though the breathability is not quite at the level of the Heatready technology found in the player version shirts. An original Adidas shirt is stretchy and feels comfortable against the skin; you can sense this quality immediately when holding it.

Counterfeit Adidas shirts are often stiff, heavy, and lack breathability. They are made from cheap polyester that does not stretch or give when pulled. When you hold a fake shirt, you immediately feel the difference compared to an original one. If you own an original Adidas shirt, this can therefore be a huge help in the authentication process.

The large washing labels at the bottom of the shirt can also help identify a fake shirt. Look for the following details:

Country of origin: Authentic Adidas shirts are manufactured almost exclusively in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia. A different country of origin is a red flag, though not definitive proof that the shirt is fake. For instance, other versions are produced in South America, but these often look slightly different and are of lower quality.

Font: Adidas' standard font is shown in the image on the left. It is clear and usually black, whereas counterfeit shirts often use a grey font.

Pen or pencil marks: Fake shirts often feature pen or pencil marks, or a small number, on the labels. Manufacturers of fake shirts often work with only a small number of machines, so they ''label'' each shirt by hand, with a number or mark, to make clear that it is finished. Adidas never does this, so you should be suspicious if there are any marks on your care labels.

Examining the stitching is an easy way to spot a fake shirt. Adidas uses only the best machines, so their stitching is of the highest quality. If you see sloppy stitching, you can be almost certain that you are dealing with a fake shirt. See the images below for an example. The original stitching on the left is neat and precise, whereas the fake stitching on the right is messy and looks like poor quality.

Although manufacturers of fake football shirts are becoming increasingly skilled and gaining access to modern, superior technology and machinery, there are still many ways to spot a fake Adidas football shirt. If you are unsure whether a shirt is original, do not buy it; this will save you a great deal of time, effort, and money. Furthermore, sellers of these counterfeit shirts are often difficult to deal with and contact, as they are aware that the sale of fake shirts is illegal.

If you want to make sure you get the real thing, compare your shirt with original shirts from the official Adidas website. Feel free to contact us if you need any help.