The official match ball for the 2018/19 Serie A season is the new Nike Merlin. Replacing the Nike Ordem series, the new Merlin ball is predominately white with blue stripes and a striking red and yellow graphic pattern. It is the same design that is used for the new La Liga and Premier League footballs.
For the Merlin Nike have created a larger striking surface across the ball by reducing the traditional 12-panel construction to just four panels. This also reduced the number of seams by 40 percent, eliminated hard spots, opened up the ball and created a more pronounced sweet spot. The ball is constructed of a latex bladder (instead of a traditional rubber) enveloped in proprietary materials to promote more consistent air pressure and keep its shape.
With a RRP of €150, the Nike Merlin will be available from Nike in Summer 2018.
