Having won pretty much all there is to win in her soccer career, United States striker Alex Morgan has transcended the sport she rules and entered popular culture by having a Barbie doll made in her own image.
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The USWNT star's new likeness, which was released late last month, is the latest addition to the "Role Models" range, intended to highlight inspirational women across a wide variety of industries.
Two-time Women's World Cup winner Morgan joins other notable female sport stars such as fellow footballer Amandine Henry, tennis star Naomi Osaka and gymnast Gabby Douglas as well as empowering historical figures like civil rights activist Rosa Parks, aviation pioneer Amelia Earheart and artist Frida Kahlo.
So excited to finally announce that I have my own @Barbie! Collaborating in every step to create the Alex Morgan Barbie doll as part of the Role Model Collection was very important to me. I'm so proud to finally share my doll with you all. https://t.co/cJjl8ZM9vi pic.twitter.com/zd00lR3irG
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) August 4, 2020
"I was obviously so excited. It's such an iconic brand, it's something that every kid plays with," Morgan, 31, told People magazine.
"I feel like I worked really hard in helping design this and making it as real as possible. I tried to make it exactly as I would be on the soccer field, and I feel like they completely nailed it."
- Stream "Alex Morgan: The Equalizer" on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
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Morgan's doll, designed by Carlyle Nuera, comes bundled complete with a red, white and blue kit, a football, removable boots and her trademark pink headband. Nuera revealed that she knew of Morgan as much for the USWNT co-captain's fight for equal pay for women soccer players as for her success on the field.
The Orlando Pride forward and her husband, former MLS player Servando Carrasco, had their first child earlier this year, and Nuera said she hoped that through the doll "Alex's daughter can see how cool and inspirational her mom is."
Morgan isn't the first football star to be immortalised in doll form, though very few have been quite so complimentary in terms of likeness.
Cristiano Ronaldo
#juguetes @Mattel transforma a los principales cracks del futbol en figuras de acción para su línea FC Elite https://t.co/dmAJhwqcaD pic.twitter.com/ahxgIGa5sY
— The markethink (@themarkethinkmx) November 25, 2016
Mattel once released an "FC Elite" range which was launched in 2016 and featured 30-centimetre opposable effigies of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi action figures with THAT shirt celebration are being sold in Spain
➡️ https://t.co/NS11ZeZe2i#FCB #Messi pic.twitter.com/eQoYrvYOFn
— FourFourTwo (@FourFourTwo) April 26, 2017
Sockers offered the chance for Barcelona fans to faithfully recreate Lionel Messi's iconic "shirt aloft" goal celebration from the 2017 Clasico by fitting their doll with a removable jersey.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The perfect Christmas present, a Zlatan doll #PSG pic.twitter.com/td6OTbddxk
— Jack Rathborn (@JackRathborn) December 20, 2014
Back in 2013, PSG launched a full range of plush dolls via their online store. Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lucas Moura and Thiago Silva were all on offer. But, frankly, why would you opt for anything other than owning your own personal, pint-sized Ibra?
Virgil van Dijk
Funko Pop Football Liverpool FC Virgil Van Dijk numéro 16#LiverpoolFC #VirgilVanDijk #FunkoPop https://t.co/P7jYqk5D1c pic.twitter.com/6YEszrNo26
— Team Pop Fr (@TeamPopFr) May 17, 2019
Several prominent Premier League stars have been given the Funko Pop vinyl treatment in recent years, including defensive colossus Virgil van Dijk.
Carlos Vela
EEKEEZ produce a variety of little wooden tiki-style figurines bearing the faces of assorted MLS stars, with LAFC and Mexico striker Carlos Vela among those on offer.
Adidas' new boot will have Salah and Son ghosting defenders
When European competition returns this week with the resumption of the Champions League and Europa League, there will be some Adidas athletes with brand new boots to show off.
The German sportwear giants introduced the X Ghosted on Wednesday, which will be worn by the likes of Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus and Arsenal forward Vivianne Miedema as they bid for European glory this month, and by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-Min next season.
Adidas' designers took inspiration from track spikes, which yielded a toe spring that allows for on-demand lineal bursts. The manufacturer also touts its Vacuum Fit Experience, which allows players to feel the air sucked rapidly out of the boot when worn, creating an ultra-snug fit formed by the contours of the foot.
But the real showpiece of the X Ghosted is its Translucent Mirageskin upper. This ultra-light material is layered over a wire framework to create a seamless upper that works in conjunction with the Vacuum Fit Experience to provide stability and support.
While the tech does sound impressive, it's the aesthetics that really grab the headlines. Adidas says that the translucent material is a visual representation of what players will feel when they put on the boots -- which is to say, you'd hardly know they're there. And the trademark Three Stripes on the X Ghosted have been inspired by the wings of a peregrine falcon -- the fastest creature on earth.
As if the likes of Salah and Son needed any help ghosting defenders. -- Austin Lindberg
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