Official match ball for Champions League final revealed

• Ball features hand-drawn artistic interpretation of a map of Istanbul.
• Final of the tournament will be played in Istanbul on May 30.

The official match ball for UEFA Champions League final has been unveiled by adidas and it will also be used in today’s (Tuesday) round of 16 games and onwards.

Adidas draws an inspiration for the ball from the host city, Istanbul, where final will be played on May 30. The ball features an intricate design, hand-drawn artistic interpretation of a map of Istanbul, which uniquely bridges the two continents of Europe and Asia.

Highlighting city’s culture of art, the trademark stars have been placed to contrast with a hand-printed map of the city. The Bosporus, a natural waterway that flows through the city, is at the centre of the ball. The striking purple colour palette is inspired by the sun setting above the river from east to west.

It also consists of adidas’ latest technology to ensure secure grip and complete control for the players while the thermally bonded star panels provide a seamless surface for an improved first touch.

The ‘Istanbul 20' will be deployed for all remaining matches in the UEFA Champions League this season, starting from the round of 16 which gets under way later today.