My First Football Shirt: David Diehl

We caught up with artist and illustrator David Diehl to talk Gerd Muller, Boca Juniors and Ronaldinho wonder goals for Barcelona against Real Madrid.

What was your first football shirt?

My first shirt I made myself, because I never had one. I was 10 years old, used tape as a stencil to do blue stripes and the black No 10 on the back. It looked perfect except for the AFA emblem. Unfortunately I can't manage to find a picture of it. Pre-digital times …

What is your favourite football shirt?

Una de las mejores delanteras de la historia la tuvo un equipo de Estados Unidos. Sí, el Fort Lauderdale Strikers reunió en 1979 a George Best, Gerd Müller y Teófilo Cubillas para disputar la North American Soccer League. pic.twitter.com/i4sX10INlm
— Pablo Aro Geraldes 💚 (@arogeraldes) April 19, 2020

In the time before advertising and branding, many football shirts looked amazing. That said, some with sponsors from the 80s are great. From the 1990s until today I don't think there's as much to get excited about. I really like the Boca Juniors shirt from 1981. I'm also a fan of the Strikers shirts from Gerd Muller's day.

What is your favourite goal?

On this day in 2005, Ronaldinho produced one of the great individual performances. Single handedly dismantling Real Madrid, scoring a brace and getting a standing ovation from the entire Bernabeu 👏

(via @FCBarcelona)pic.twitter.com/m5N4MntJ4E
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 19, 2019

I have to choose Ronaldinho's goal from 2005 against Real Madrid. It was pretty special.

Check out David's glorious site right here or follow him on Twitter here.

If you want to read more about the football memories of players, writers, and more you can buy the full Your First Football Shirt book. Discover Alan Shearer's first ever football shirt, Carl Anka's most cherished shirt and more. All proceeds go to the charities CALM and Willow.

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