{"product_id":"2012-14-vfb-stuttgart-sakai-shirt","title":"Puma VFB Stuttgart Home Shirt 2012-14 Sakai Vintage 9\/10","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.8em;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003eVFB Stuttgart 2012-14 – Hiroki Sakai-signed Puma home jersey, Mercedes-Benz Bank at the heart of Baden-Württemberg\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:1.1em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eBetween 2012 and 2014, \u003cstrong\u003eVFB Stuttgart\u003c\/strong\u003e went through a pivotal period in its recent history, caught between European ambitions and the realities of an increasingly competitive Bundesliga. This \u003cstrong\u003ePuma home jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e, emblazoned with \u003cstrong\u003eHiroki Sakai\u003c\/strong\u003e's name and sponsored by \u003cstrong\u003eMercedes-Benz Bank\u003c\/strong\u003e, is a piece of authentic German football history that you can wear today in near-perfect condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eJersey details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:2;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeason:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2012-2014\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClub:\u003c\/strong\u003e VFB Stuttgart\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Home\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKit manufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Puma\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlocking:\u003c\/strong\u003e SAKAI\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSponsor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mercedes-Benz Bank\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9\/10\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eState:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mercedes-Benz Bank sponsor present – authentic and natural wear of a \u003cstrong\u003eworn vintage jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e, carefully preserved\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eWhat this jersey represents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVFB Stuttgart\u003c\/strong\u003e during this period was a historic \u003cstrong\u003eBundesliga\u003c\/strong\u003e club striving to regain the consistency of its glory years. Founded in 1893, five-time German champions, VfB remains an institution in German football even in seasons where results don't always meet expectations. Between 2012 and 2014, the club tried to stabilize its sporting project with the impetus of players capable of making a difference at the \u003cstrong\u003eMercedes-Benz Arena\u003c\/strong\u003e in front of its 60,000 supporters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eIt was in this context that \u003cstrong\u003eHiroki Sakai\u003c\/strong\u003e emerged as one of the most unexpected and endearing faces in the Stuttgart locker room. The Japanese right-back, who arrived in 2012 from Japan, quickly charmed with his seriousness, defensive rigor, and ability to progress with the ball. Alongside him, players like \u003cstrong\u003eMartin Harnik\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eVedad Ibišević\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eGeorg Niedermeier\u003c\/strong\u003e embodied the combative identity of a squad that never gave up. This SAKAI-flocked jersey is a rare piece that testifies to a specific era and a player who would leave a lasting mark in Stuttgart before joining Olympique de Marseille.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eMoments etched in this jersey\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHiroki Sakai, Japanese full-back turned Mercedes-Benz Arena darling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA rare example of a Japanese player who fully established himself in the demanding culture of the \u003cstrong\u003eBundesliga\u003c\/strong\u003e, Sakai played full seasons with Stuttgart before signing with OM in 2016. His time in Swabia remains a beautiful chapter in German-Japanese football.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe constant struggle for survival in the German elite\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2013-14 season was particularly intense for VfB, which had to fight to the end to maintain its place among the elite of German football. This constant tension gave every home match a special flavor, and this jersey is a direct witness to it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMercedes-Benz Bank, a sponsor that says everything about a city\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStuttgart is the automotive capital of the world, and seeing \u003cstrong\u003eMercedes-Benz Bank\u003c\/strong\u003e emblazoned on the city's club jersey is an obvious and meaningful choice. This partnership roots VfB in the deep economic and cultural identity of the Baden-Württemberg region — a collector's detail that brings a smile to football history enthusiasts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eAuthentic vs Replica\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eAn \u003cstrong\u003eauthentic vintage jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e is not the same as a replica from an official store. An authentic jersey is the real technical fabric designed for play — Puma materials engineered for on-field performance, meticulous finishes, a weight and drape that are nothing like consumer versions. This is what you hold in your hands here: an item made to be worn in a real sporting context.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eVFB Stuttgart Puma 2012-14 jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e is in 9\/10 condition. Practically, this means it's in exceptional condition for a jersey of this era: the SAKAI flocking is clearly present, the \u003cstrong\u003eMercedes-Benz Bank\u003c\/strong\u003e sponsor is intact, and the overall item shows the natural and honest wear of a piece that has lived without ever being mistreated. For a \u003cstrong\u003evintage collector's jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is exactly the level we're looking for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eVintage size guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage Puma jerseys\u003c\/strong\u003e from 2010-2014 tend to have a more fitted cut than current standards. An L from that era often corresponds to what we would now call a European M, or even a large M depending on your build. Don't rely solely on the label: a vintage Puma L is not a Nike 2024 L.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eBefore confirming your order, take a measuring tape and measure your chest circumference as well as your torso length. Then compare with the actual jersey measurements we provide on the product sheet. This is the only reliable method to avoid unpleasant surprises — and to ensure this \u003cstrong\u003eauthentic Stuttgart jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e fits you perfectly, as it deserves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eWhy have it in your collection\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVFB Stuttgart\u003c\/strong\u003e remains an underrepresented club in \u003cstrong\u003evintage Bundesliga jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e collections. It's easy to find Bayern, Dortmund, or Schalke — but a Stuttgart jersey from this era, flocked with an identifiable Japanese player who later joined OM, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Bank, in such condition? That's a combination of factors that makes this piece genuinely interesting for any serious collector. The rarity is there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eIn 9\/10 condition, there aren't many in this state still circulating on the market. Jerseys from this period are starting to go, and those with original flocking of an identifiable player go even faster. If you want an \u003cstrong\u003eauthentic vintage German Puma jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e that tells a true story — a specific player, a specific city, a specific era — you're in exactly the right place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eTo go further\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"line-height:2.2;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/VfB_Stuttgart\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eVFB Stuttgart - Wikipedia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.footballkitarchive.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFootball Kit Archive - Kit history\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.uefa.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUEFA - European Football\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-style:italic;line-height:1.8;\"\u003eThis jersey won't come around twice. If Sakai's story at Stuttgart resonates with you, or if you simply want a beautiful \u003cstrong\u003evintage Bundesliga Puma jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e in near-new condition, now's the time — no fuss, no pressure.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"VFB Stuttgart","offers":[{"title":"L","offer_id":54009534808339,"sku":"355649","price":59.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0949\/4839\/3235\/files\/eng_pm_2012-14-VFB-STUTTGART-SAKAI-SHIRT-L-355649_4.jpg?v=1775382956","url":"https:\/\/supporterid.com\/en\/products\/2012-14-vfb-stuttgart-sakai-shirt","provider":"SUPPORTER ID®","version":"1.0","type":"link"}