By Josh O'Brien
Brazil will not be donning their iconic yellow shirt when they take on England at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night.
The move may cause some confusion among fans, given it certainly doesn't clash with the Three Lions traditional colours of white and blue. However, in a week that has been blighted by backlash over Nike's influence on England's own home strip, the Selecao's decision to not wear yellow is because the US kit manufacturer and sporting giant wants to market 'Brazil in Blue'.
In turn, the five-time World Cup winners will instead take to the pitch in their blue away kit. Those in attendance hoping to see the samba stars line up in their legendary yellow strip will be left disappointed.
Some of the game's greatest ever players have worn that yellow shirt proudly, including the likes of Pele, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. However, Real Madrid duo Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo will be in all blue when they face off against Gareth Southgate's side.
It has been seven years since these two great footballing nations met. Their last clash ended in 0-0 draw, while their last meeting at a major tournament came all the way back in the 2002 World Cup, when Brazil beat England 2-1; while wearing blue.
However, England have got the better of Brazil in blue before. In 1990, a Gary Lineker goal sealed a 1-0 win for the Three Lions, who were then under the reign of the late Sir Bobby Robson. Much is made of what kit Brazil choose to wear and that is for good reason.
The £317million, 10-year deal signed between Brazil and Nike is in fact the biggest sponsorship deal a national team has signed in football history. It actually sparked backlash back in the South American nation, with fans feeling their national side had sold their soul and become a brand instead.
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With that being said, from Nike's perspective, the temptation to have Brazil contest against England in their blue kit was a marketing opportunity simply too good to turn down.
Just three Premier League stars have been named in Brazil's starting line-up in the capital. West Ham's Lucas Paqueta, Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes and Wolves ace Joao Gomes will all operate in midfield against Southgate's side.
In contrast, 10 of England's 11 ply their tradein the English top flight. Jude Bellingham, a team-mate of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo at Real Madrid, is the only exception.
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