Topps, known for its innovative sports memorabilia, is gearing up to revolutionize the Major League Soccer scene with an exclusive debut patch card program. This exciting initiative promises to bring soccer fans closer to the action by offering unique 1/1 rookie cards featuring game-worn debut patches and player autographs in upcoming MLS products.
Building on the success of the debut patch card program previously introduced in Major League Baseball, Topps is venturing into the world of Major League Soccer for the 2024 season. The program is designed to celebrate MLS rookies in a special way by incorporating debut patches from their first game into their jerseys. These patches will then be collected, transformed, and immortalized as one-of-a-kind rookie cards in future Topps MLS product releases, each bearing the player’s autograph as a mark of authenticity.
The intricate process begins with Topps sending the MLS Debut patches to team equipment managers, who carefully affix them to the jerseys of first-year players using a specially designed adhesive on the back. After the player’s debut match, these patches are meticulously removed and sent back to Topps headquarters, where they undergo a transformation into highly collectible cards that will captivate fans and collectors alike.
Players who make their MLS debut before April 1 will have the honor of being featured in a 2024 Topps MLS product, ensuring that their milestone moment is commemorated in a tangible and lasting way. For those players debuting after this date, their patches will be included in the following year’s series, guaranteeing that new talent is duly recognized and celebrated within the realm of Topps’ card collections.
As the MLS season kicks off with a flurry of exciting matches, fans can look forward to witnessing the debut patch program in action. While the program may not feature last season’s addition of international star Lionel Messi to Inter Miami CF, it promises to highlight this year’s high-profile newcomers, such as the talented Luis Suarez, known for his stints at Liverpool and Barcelona, and Hugo Lloris, the esteemed former goalkeeper of Tottenham Hotspur.
The debut patch program has already demonstrated tremendous success in Major League Baseball, with collectors avidly seeking out the 91 MLB Debut patches from the 2023 Topps Chrome Update packages. By extending this program to Major League Soccer, Topps not only offers soccer enthusiasts a novel way to connect with emerging stars but also upholds its legacy of innovation and creativity within the sports memorabilia market, ensuring that fans can truly immerse themselves in the excitement and thrill of the game.