Why I Love Collecting Authentic Signed Mexico National Team Jerseys

The Allure of Authentic Signed Mexico Jerseys

As a proud member of Mexico's passionate futbol fanbase, building my collection of national team jerseys over the years has been a labor of love. Like any true supporter of El Tri, there's nothing I enjoy more than donning my vibrant green jersey and cheering on the team with fellow fans. My prized possessions are the authentic Mexico jerseys I've had signed by various players over the years. Here's why I love collecting signed El Tri jerseys and how I've built my collection.

The Thrill of Match-Worn Jerseys

As any collector knows, there's nothing quite like owning an authentic match-worn jersey straight off the back of your favorite player. Over the years, I've managed to get my hands on Mexico jerseys signed by legends like Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Rafael Márquez, and Jared Borgetti, among others. While a standard replica jersey serves its purpose for showing support, having a signed authentic match-worn jersey adds an extra layer of history and prestige.

Hunting Player Signings

Building up this kind of collection takes patience, dedication, and sometimes a little luck. Whenever Mexico has played friendlies on American soil, I've made the trip to their hotels after matches hoping to grab player autographs as they come and go. I've also spent time at team training events to try and get up close to El Tri stars. Of course, getting access isn't always easy, though a friendly smile and my impressive knowledge of the team tends to help!

Customizing with Signatures

One of my favorite parts of collecting signed Mexico jerseys is choosing where on the kit I want a player to sign. Getting a central midfield maestro to put pen to the jersey number feels symbolic for instance. When defenders sign near the El Tri logo on the chest, it feels like a stamp of approval. I'll occasionally even send jerseys to be customized and signed when players are in Mexico for training camps or promotional events.

Sources of Authentic Mexico Jerseys

Over the years, I’ve bought the bulk of my signed Mexico jerseys at auctions and memorabilia sales. But when hunting for authentic unsigned jerseys to potentially get signed later on, my go-to sources are:

adidas

As Mexico's official jersey sponsor, adidas obviously offers the most authentic El Tri kits you can buy. I'll regularly check the latest jersey releases on their website and try to place pre-orders to get the shirts as early as possible. There's nothing better than being the first to rock a new Mexico jersey design!

Pele Soccer

Beyond adidas direct, Pele Soccer is my top source for buying authentic Mexico jerseys online. As one of the leading retailers in the US for soccer apparel and equipment, their supply of Mexico jerseys is always top-notch in terms of timeliness and variety.

In Person at Matches

When Mexico comes stateside for friendlies and tournament appearances, I always make sure to arrive early to browse the merchandise stands. Between replica and authentic options, the on-site selection gives me a chance to shop Mexico jerseys in person before game time. And stores at stadiums often run specials you won't find buying online.

Preserving & Displaying My Collection

Caring for signed jerseys requires some special measures to keep them in premier shape for displaying. Here are some of my best practices:

Quality Hangers

I invest in bulk orders of commercial grade shirt hangers to evenly distribute weight across shoulders and maintain jersey shape over time. Plastic hangers can stretch fabrics.

Climate Control

Any collection space needs regulated temperature and humidity levels to prevent damage from heat, moisture, or dust. I use specialty storage bags and sealable jersey cases as added precautions.

Responsible Handling

When showing off gems from my signed jersey collection to friends, I make sure we wash hands thoroughly and handle the kit with care. No eating or drinking nearby either!

Continuing My El Tri Quest

With the 2022 World Cup on the horizon and exciting young talents like Edson Álvarez emerging for El Tri, I'm as motivated as ever to keep chasing player autographs and expanding my cherished collection of signed Mexico jerseys. From the permanent smile on my face on match days to the pride I feel showing off my jersey display shelves, I expect this passion project to continue bringing me joy for many years still to come!