Some of the
world's biggest stars from Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich,
Real Madrid, Juventus and AC Milan attended adidas' #bethedifference
event as the six European giants launched their third kits.
Manchester
United duo Ashley Young and Morgan Schneiderlin made the trip to France
despite touching down in England at 1am following their side's
impressive 4-0 Champions League win over Club Bruges.
Young
and Manchester United new boy Schneiderlin were joined by fellow
Barclays Premier League stars Victor Moses and Cesar Azpilicueta, who
were given the task of promoting Chelsea's new black kit.
Ashley Young and Morgan Schneiderlin pose on the runway in Marseille before taking part in adidas' #bethedifference event
The Manchester United duo talk tactics as they make their way to Marseille, France to unveil their side's new third kit
Schneiderlin walks down the steps of the private plane after touching down in his homeland to take part in an exhibition game
Manchester United winger Young greets Chelsea's Victor Moses soon after landing in Marseille along with team-mate Schneiderlin
Red Devils duo Young and Schneiderlin are all smiles as they show off Manchester United's new third kit at the adidas event
Bayern Munich utility man Javi
Martinez shakes Young's hand, while Manchester United midfielder
Schneiderlin and Moses wait their turn
Schneiderlin attempts to get the ball
under control as Manchester United team-mate Young and AC
Milan's Riccardo Montolivo watch on
Young shows off his skills as he tries
to get past AC Milan's Montolivo and Philippe Mexes during a exhibition
match in southern France
Spectators
in Marseille had the pleasure of watching the international stars in
action as they played in two-on-two exhibition games during the course
of the day.
A
Manchester United side including Young and Schneiderlin were beaten by
AC Milan in one of the skill games at the adidas event.
Philippe Mexes and Riccardo Montolivo represented the Serie A giants after making the short trip from Italy.
Milan
defeated Manchester United 3-1 in a game where 'goals do not count,
only the best skills' do. The contest also saw Juventus take on Real
Madrid in a repeat of last season's Champions League semi-final.
While
the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale were
preparing for Real Madrid's upcoming fixture against Real Betis, Alvaro
Arbeloa and Nacho were given the nod to represent Rafa Benitez's side.
Guido
Vadala and Francesco Cassata showed off their skills as they donned
Juventus' new third strip, while Bayern Munich's Javi Martinez and
Julian Green also took part to showcase their talents.
#Bethedifference
tournaments have taken place in 30 cities across the world including
New York, London (Brixton), Paris, Shanghai, Tokyo, Los Angeles and Hong
Kong before Thursday's event in Marseille.
A
team of freestylers from Denmark ended up winning the tournament, which
did not involve the professional players from Europe's elite clubs.
Young and Schneiderlin share a joke while holding their mobile phones as they prepare for the exhibition games in Marseille
AC Milan defender Mexes also took part in the event, held in his homeland, by teaming up with club team-mate Montolivo
All
of the players showed their delight at taking part in the tournament
before touching down, as they took selfies while making their way to
southern France.
All
of the new adidas kits incorporate unique references to the heritage,
fans and cities of the aforementioned great clubs, who between them have
won an incredible 28 European Cups.
Manchester
United's kit has been designed with neon red accents as a pointer to
the numerous glorious European nights at Old Trafford, while the Real
Madrid kit combines night indigo and bright blue colours calling to mind
epic Champions League clashes under the Madrid night sky.
The
new Bayern Munich kit includes bright colour highlights and specific
fabric, designed to shine in Europe's top competition. Chelsea's, on the
other hand, is inspired by a fingerprint graphic – a proud illustration
of the club's identity.
A team of showboaters celebrate after winning the adidas #bethedifference tournament against fellow amateurs
Spectators watch on as two teams made up of freestylers battle it out by showing off their skills in southern France
Young is joined by Cesar Azpilicueta, Montolivo, Alvaro Arbeloa, Guido Vadala and Martinez as the players walk down the runway
The
Juventus third kit has a unique gold imprint on the three stripes and
club crest – a symbol of the club's success in the major European
competition – while AC Milan's new kit transmits the striking colours
and 'green aspect' of the EXPO, which their city proudly hosts this
year.
'We
started the design process for these kits with trend research and
fashion fair visits in summer 2013,' said adidias football senior
product manager Florian Baeuerlein.
'These were followed by trips to the different clubs and cities, where input was gathered from the clubs and fans.
'Each
development has been made in partnership with the clubs, where feedback
has been taken on board and concepts adjusted to create kits that are
highly appreciated by the clubs, their fans and their players.'
Young takes a selfie with Schneiderlin
in front of a private plane as they prepare to jet over to France to
meet up with fellow stars
The 30-year-old former Aston Villa
star departs the official adidas kit launch after spending the day with
Schneiderlin in Marseille
Luke Shaw, Juan Mata and Young show off Manchester United's new third kit - launched a day after their Champions League triumph
Thibaut Courtois, Nemanja Matic, Diego Costa, Gary Cahill and Eden Hazard were given the nod to advertise Chelsea's new kit
Former Real Madrid stars Alvaro Morata
and Xabi Alonso were also given the task of promoting their respective
side's new third kit
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