The demand for different jerseys of Argentina and Brazil football teams know no limits during the World Cup after every four years. After these two south American powerhouses, the most on-demand jerseys are those of European sides Germany, Spain and France.
But what about the other World Cup nations whose jerseys are also being offered at the Dhaka markets?
Apart from Brazil and Argentina, many sports shops from different sports markets in Gulistan are currently selling the jerseys of Germany, Spain, France, Portugal, England, Croatia, Mexico and Belgium amid the World Cup fever. The demand for jerseys of host nation Russia has also increased than before.
The only Asian country to get space among the regular displays of jerseys is Japan while the jerseys of another Latin outfit, Colombia, were also seen in the markets. Nigeria are the only country from Africa whose jerseys feature in the shops of the respective markets.
Along with Nigeria, the jerseys of Egypt, particularly those of Liverpool sensation Mohamed Salah, and Uruguay, led by Barcelona superstar Luis Suarez, were also seen at some sports shops in the capital’s popular shopping malls.
Jersey sale depends on team performance
Gulistan Shopping Complex, located at the old site of the famous Gulistan cinema hall, has its entire second floor dedicated to shops of sports accessories. One of the shops’ representatives, Shajahan Bhuiyan of SB Sports, informed that after Argentina’s defeat against Croatia Thursday, the sales of Croatia jerseys increased while remarkably, no Argentina jerseys were sold till Saturday afternoon.
Almost the same reaction was experienced at the sports markets of Samobaye Twin Tower but there were also some exceptions like Mofijul Islam of Sports Musuem who said the demand for Argentina and Brazil jerseys is always the highest, whether they win or lose.
Mohammad Sharif Raja of Asian Sports at Bashundhara City nailed it. He said, “Jersey sales usually depend on the results of the respective teams. We bought 2, 000 pieces of Argentina jerseys as part of our last lot before the World Cup, and majority of them were sold out before Eid-ul-Fitr. But after Argentina’s defeat, we are yet to sell a single piece of their jerseys till (Sunday).”
Fakhrul Islam of Galaxy Sports from the same floor however, sold a dozen Argentina jerseys after Nigeria’s win over Iceland that kept the Albiceleste’s hope of qualifying for the last 16 very much alive. Fakhrul added, “There are also demand for Croatia and Nigeria jerseys, and most of them are Brazil supporters, as these two countries are placed in the same group as Argentina.”
However, the jerseys of Brazil’s Group E opponents Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia were not found in the respective shops.
Tarikul Islam of Ten Sports informed that they bought 60 pieces of home jerseys and as many away jerseys of Nigeria. He stated that there are only 19 Nigeria away jerseys left to be sold after the superb displays by the Super Eagles so far. Recently, there are some football fans looking for Senegal jerseys as well. But Senegal jerseys were nowhere to be found.
Demand for jerseys because of superstars
The temporary jersey shops on the footpaths of Gulistan mostly sell Argentina or Brazil jerseys, especially those of Lionel Messi and Neymar on the back. Here, one will also notice numerous jerseys with the images of Messi and Neymar on the front or back or on both sides. These jerseys are not of the best quality, but do have a significant number of clients.
The demand and sales of jerseys with Messi’s name has always been the highest in number, as claimed by almost every respective shopkeeper.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo also has a significant number of fans in Bangladesh. Consistent performances from the Real Madrid superstar over the past decade have created a new group of Portugal supporters in Bangladesh. The respective shopkeepers informed that the demand for Portugal jerseys has drove up this time around, and many of them are gladly printing Ronaldo’s name on the back.
Germany jerseys are arguably most on demand after Brazil and Argentina and when it comes to individuals, Thomas Mueller and Mesut Oezil’s jerseys are a common choice among the German fans. Andres Iniesta’s Spain jerseys are also in high demand.
European football league followers are also buying Croatia jerseys for Luka Modric, France for Paul Pogba, Egypt for Salah, Uruguay for Suarez, Colombia for Radamel Falcao, Belgium for Eden Hazard. Some are also rooting for Nigeria for Ahmed Musa.
