Schalke 04 football jersey 2021/22

On March 5, 2022, this Schalke jersey suddenly changed its meaning. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the club ended its long-standing partnership with Gazprom, and VIVAWEST was presented as the new main sponsor. For the rest of the season, the blue jersey therefore became a very visible symbol of an unusual chapter in Schalke's history.

Facts:

• Club: Schalke 04
• Brand: Umbro
• Season: 2021/22
• Size: Small
• Condition: Very good condition
• Sponsor: VIVAWEST

FOOTBALL MEMORIES

In 2021/22, Schalke played in the 2. Bundesliga for the first time after being relegated the year before. One of Germany's biggest traditional clubs had to return immediately, and with Simon Terodde as the prolific goalscorer, they succeeded: Schalke won the 2. Bundesliga and secured promotion back to the Bundesliga.

However, the season is also remembered for something completely different. Schalke had had Gazprom on their chest since 2007. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the club first removed the name from the jersey and a few days later ended the collaboration. On March 5, Gelsenkirchen-based VIVAWEST was presented as the new main sponsor.

The special thing about these particular jerseys is that Schalke could not simply order a new stock in the middle of the season. The club itself stated that the existing jerseys had already been produced with the former sponsor's logo. Therefore, the VIVAWEST print was placed over the existing sponsor print. Fans could even show up at the stadium and have their own 2021/22 jersey overprinted for 10 euros.

This also explains the large rectangular VIVAWEST field on this jersey. It is not just a somewhat unusual sponsor print, but a direct trace of the dramatic events of February and March 2022. At the same time, the season ended sportingly with exactly what Schalke had hoped for: the championship in the 2. Bundesliga and an immediate return to the top flight.

A Schalke jersey where the sponsor print tells almost as much about the season as the results on the pitch.