Football wants its name back + El Tri goes for Gold

Your Weekly Digest of Soccer, Style, and Culture Across the CONCACAF Region

Welcome to Edition 33 of The Forty-One Life—This week, Mexico’s ‘México de Oro’ kit drops, bringing a golden touch to El Tri’s legacy. Meanwhile, American Football, a new streetwear brand, is reclaiming the name for the beautiful game in the U.S. Adidas taps into MLS history with a limited-edition culture wear collection for the OG clubs (and, of course, Inter Miami). We also take a deep dive into the rise of fake footy kits and the booming underground market behind them. Plus, if you’re in the city, we’re hosting a Nations League watch party this Thursday—pull up. Let’s get into it.

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ON THE PITCH

adidas and El Tri release “Mexico de Oro” kit for the 2025 campaign

Credit: Adidas

Adidas has unveiled the ‘México de Oro’ jersey, a stunning black and gold kit honoring the Mexican national soccer team’s rich history and cultural heritage. This limited-edition release features intricate designs inspired by traditional Mexican art, symbolizing the nation’s passion and pride for El Tri. The jersey is available now for fans looking to celebrate Mexico’s football legacy in style.

STYLE

American Football: The Streetwear Brand Reclaiming the name for footy in the U.S.

Credit: American Football

American Football, a Los Angeles-based streetwear brand, is redefining soccer culture in the U.S. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, the brand blends football heritage, fashion, and community to put America on the global stage. Shop the first drop now.

MORE STYLE

Adidas surprise dropped a limited capsule of culturewear for OG MLS franchises (and Inter Miami) which features retro-inspired track/travel suits with pants and shorts options. According to adidas, once they’re gone, they’re gone!

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

The Knockoff Game: Inside the Rise of Fake Football Shirts

Credit: Getty Images

The football world is facing a surge in counterfeit jerseys, with fake shirts flooding markets and online platforms. These knockoffs, often produced in overseas factories, replicate official club kits with alarming accuracy, making it challenging for fans to distinguish between authentic and counterfeit merchandise. This trend not only affects club revenues but also raises concerns about labor practices and the quality of materials used in these fakes. As the demand for affordable jerseys grows, clubs and manufacturers are intensifying efforts to combat counterfeiting, emphasizing the importance of purchasing through official channels to ensure authenticity and support for the teams.

MORE

Where Is Football is inviting its creative community to join its work with the United Nations’ ‘Football For The Goals’ initiative. As a strategic collaborator, they’re helping activate and document global projects using football for change. Now, they’re opening the door for volunteers to contribute to their 2025 initiatives. To get involved, reach out at [email protected].

WHAT TO WATCH

The Footy Lifestyle: Kharlton Belmar (Backyard Footy)

Backyard Footy is launching a brand-new documentary series, taking fans inside the lives of former and current pro athletes like never before.

Kicking things off is an exclusive look at Kharlton Belmar, a 10-year pro, as he shares what life after the game really looks like. This series delivers behind-the-scenes access and untold stories, giving viewers a deeper perspective on the football journey beyond the pitch.

EVENTS

Upcoming Events For March

ATLANTA

Beautiful Game Project presents: GOALZ - Concacaf Nation’s League Watch Party

Thursday, Mar 20, 2025 | 3:30PM - Until

Marlay House: Backyard Event Space
426 W Ponce de Leon Ave
Decatur, GA 30030

World Soccer Shop Presents: Noche De Conmebol

Tuesday, Mar 25, 2025 | 8:00PM

Fado Irish Pub - Midtown
933 Peachtree St NE,
Atlanta, GA 30309

THINGS YOU MIGHT HAVE SLEPT ON

Latto pulls up to the Atlanta United Match

Thanks For Reading!

Thanks for reading this week’s edition. As always, If you know someone that might enjoy The Forty-One Life, It would mean the world to us if you sent it their way. 🙏