Remembering some of the most iconic Premier League match balls

Another season of Premier League action has come and gone. There was drama at both ends of the table as Liverpool lifted the title in Arne Slot’s first season, and all three newly-promoted sides struggling to come to terms with the challenges of top flight football in England.

But while there are already discussions on the early football bet markets and biggest transfer window deals, the new season will also see the introduction of Puma as the new match ball supplier.

After a monumental 25-year run, Nike has passed the torch to Puma as the official match ball provider starting from the 2025/26 season. Puma’s new ball boasts cutting-edge design and technology, promising to bring fresh energy to one of football’s biggest stages.

Technologically, the ball is based on Puma’s Orbita 3 and includes innovations such as a high-frequency moulded surface, a novel 12-panel construction, and a structured PU coating. These features are designed to improve shape retention, aerodynamics, and overall performance. The ball is set to launch officially in June 2025, and fans will be keen to see how it flies across Premier League stadiums.

But before Puma’s era begins, it’s worth remembering some of the most iconic Nike balls that defined the Premier League for a quarter-century — balls that witnessed historic goals, legendary players, and unforgettable moments.

Nike Geo Merlin (2000–2002)

The Nike Geo Merlin was the very first Nike ball to be used in the Premier League, marking the start of a new chapter in football design. Its clean white surface, adorned with blue and black details, quickly became a symbol of early-2000s football.

This ball witnessed the rise of some of the Premier League’s greatest stars — Thierry Henry dazzling defenders with his pace and skill, Ruud van Nistelrooy terrorising defences, and Alan Shearer continuing his goal-scoring dominance.

Memorable moments: Henry’s stunning solo run against Tottenham in 2002 remains etched in fans’ memories, as does David Beckham’s final goal for Manchester United, as well as the buildup to Arsenal’s Invincibles era just around the corner.

Nike T90 Aerow (2004–2006)

Bold and instantly recognisable, the Nike T90 Aerow featured the famous “Total 90” ring design. It arrived during one of the most fiercely contested periods in Premier League history.

The ball was witness to a host of unforgettable moments — Steven Gerrard’s thunderous strikes from outside the box, Wayne Rooney’s sensational debut goal for Manchester United, and Jose Mourinho’s tenure as he won consecutive titles in his first stint at Chelsea.

Nike T90 Omni (2008–2010)

The sleek Nike T90 Omni marked a transition into a more modern era of Premier League football. It coincided with the peak years of the big four clubs — Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres, Robin van Persie and Didier Drogba —players who left a lasting legacy.

Memorable moments: Ronaldo’s explosive goals for Manchester United, especially his rocket against Porto in the Champions League, may be better known, but the Premier League ball saw Torres slicing through defences and Drogba’s vital brace on the final day of the 2009/10 season that secured him the Golden Boot.

Nike Ordem 3 (2015–2016)

Few balls carry the weight of history like the Nike Ordem 3, which played a central role during Leicester City’s miraculous and unexpected Premier League title win.

This ball witnessed Jamie Vardy’s relentless scoring streak that broke records, Riyad Mahrez’s dazzling runs and flicks that captivated fans, and Eden Hazard’s vital equaliser against Tottenham, a moment that effectively sealed Leicester’s fairy-tale season.

Nike Flight (2020–Present)

The Nike Flight ball represents the latest step forward in football technology. Introduced with AerowSculpt technology, it focuses on improving flight stability and precision, helping players to deliver pinpoint passes and lethal shots.

Though still relatively new, the Flight ball is already linked to some of the Premier League’s recent iconic moments — Sergio Aguero’s final Manchester City goal, Alisson Becker’s jaw-dropping last-minute headed goal for Liverpool, and Erling Haaland’s record-breaking debut season, setting the tone for a new era of goal scoring.