{"product_id":"2016-17-belgium-mertens-shirt","title":"Belgium Home Shirt 2016-17 Adidas Mertens vintage","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.8em;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003eBelgium Home Jersey 2016-17 Adidas – Dries Mertens flocking, at the peak of his golden generation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:1.1em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e2016-17: \u003cstrong\u003eDries Mertens\u003c\/strong\u003e is becoming one of Europe's most formidable attackers, transformed into a devastating false nine under Sarri at Napoli, and Belgium is preparing for the final cycle of its \u003cstrong\u003egolden generation\u003c\/strong\u003e before the 2018 World Cup. This \u003cstrong\u003eAdidas Belgium home jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e flocked with his name is a historical document of one of the most technical and endearing Red Devils of his generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2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 2016-17\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClub:\u003c\/strong\u003e Belgium (Red Devils)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Home\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adidas\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlocking:\u003c\/strong\u003e DRIES MERTENS\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9\/10\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;\"\u003eBetween 2016 and 2018, the \u003cstrong\u003eBelgian national team\u003c\/strong\u003e is objectively one of the best-equipped national teams in world football. Roberto Martinez's squad boasts talent in every line, from goalkeeper to attackers, and is beginning to transform this abundance into convincing performances on the international stage. This version of the \u003cstrong\u003eAdidas home jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e accompanies a surging Belgium, methodically preparing for the Russian World Cup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eIn this exceptional group, \u003cstrong\u003eDries Mertens\u003c\/strong\u003e holds a special place. Less media-savvy than Eden Hazard, less physical than Romelu Lukaku, he compensates with rare game intelligence, surgical first touch, and the ability to step up in important moments. Alongside \u003cstrong\u003eKevin De Bruyne\u003c\/strong\u003e, Axel Witsel, and Jan Vertonghen, he embodies this Belgian collective where every piece matters, from the first to the last substitute.\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\u003e2018 World Cup Qualifiers – Group H\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBelgium dominated their qualifying group with authority, finishing top with nine wins in ten matches. The Martinez machine was in full swing, and Mertens contributed to this collective effort with decisive national team appearances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMertens, historic season at Napoli (2016-17)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn parallel with his national team appearances, Dries Mertens had the best season of his career at Napoli, scoring 34 goals in all competitions and surpassing Diego Maradona's goal record for the Neapolitan club. This context gives additional symbolic value to any jersey with his name from this specific period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe golden generation at its zenith\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt was during this season that Belgium consolidated its status as the \u003cstrong\u003eworld's number one in the FIFA rankings\u003c\/strong\u003e, a position it would hold for a long time. Owning a jersey from this era means holding a testament to a period when the Red Devils were the absolute reference in world football on paper.\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 one that was made to be worn on the field or sold as a player version at the time of its release. The finishes are different from a replica: finer and more breathable technical fabrics, more tailored cuts, superior quality embroidery and flocking, meticulous Adidas details that do not fool the eye of an experienced collector.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThis jersey is in \u003cstrong\u003e9\/10 condition\u003c\/strong\u003e, meaning it is in almost impeccable condition for an original of this generation. No discoloration, no tears, no peeling flocking — it's the kind of piece you pull out of a drawer and admire before even thinking about wearing it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eVintage sizing guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdidas jerseys from this era\u003c\/strong\u003e follow cuts that are relatively close to current standards but are generally more fitted than modern \"slim fit\" or \"heat.rdy\" versions. A 2016-17 M corresponds roughly to a contemporary M for someone of standard build, but if you are between two sizes, keep in mind that the cut is designed to be slightly snug.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eBefore confirming your order, take out a tape measure and measure your chest width flat, then compare with the actual measurements of the jersey if they are available. This is the only reliable method to avoid unpleasant surprises with a \u003cstrong\u003ecollector's vintage jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e that cannot simply be returned to a store.\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\u003eMertens flocked jerseys\u003c\/strong\u003e specifically from the 2016-17 season are not common. This is precisely the pivotal season of his career, when he went from an excellent winger to a recognized elite goalscorer on a European scale. Associating this peak club form with his national team status during the rise of the Belgian golden generation means holding a piece that tells a coherent and fascinating story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003e9\/10 condition\u003c\/strong\u003e, this jersey is above average for what is usually found on the vintage market. Most examples from this season have been worn, washed dozens of times, and bear the marks of time. This one does not. There aren't many in this condition, and that's well known in the community.\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\/Belgium_national_football_team\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eBelgium national football team – 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 – History of jerseys\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;\"\u003eIf you're looking for a jersey that symbolizes both the best of Mertens and the golden age of the Red Devils, you've come to the right place — it's up to you to decide if you'll let it pass.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Belgium","offers":[{"title":"M","offer_id":54029134364947,"sku":"251661","price":69.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0949\/4839\/3235\/files\/eng_pm_2016-17-BELGIUM-MERTENS-SHIRT-M-251661_5.jpg?v=1775699542","url":"https:\/\/supporterid.com\/en\/products\/2016-17-belgium-mertens-shirt","provider":"SUPPORTER ID®","version":"1.0","type":"link"}