Internacional swaps Nike for adidas as fans demand casualwear

Brazilian Série A club Internacional has signed a new kit partnership with German sportswear brand adidas.

adidas will take over as kit supplier at Internacional on January 1, 2020, following a four-year stint with Nike from 2016 to 2019.

According to a club statement, Internacional fans were unhappy with Nike due to its lack of investment in casual and lifestyle wear.

At present, Nike retails only the match-day jersey at Internacional, and does not produce any additional club-branded clothing.

In a club statement, Internacional confirmed that adidas will produce men’s, women’s and children’s products, but did not specify whether this will include lifestyle wear.

Internacional is understood to have shopped around for a new kit partner before committing to adidas.

Marcelo Medeiros, president of Internacional, said: “We held several meetings with various suppliers of sports equipment, and adidas, Inter’s historical partner, was the one that impressed us the most.

“We have a close relationship with the fans, we knew their expectations, and their views strongly influenced our decision.”

From next season, adidas will sponsor three Brazilian clubs: Flamengo, São Paulo and RB Bragantino – through its partnership with new owner Red Bull.

The last time Internacional partnered with adidas was 15 years ago, and the club believes it can leverage the nostalgia of that partnership from next season onwards.