Soccer Additions

 I'm going to compile all of the soccer autos that I've not yet posted about into one blog entry as there have been a lot over the past five to six weeks, some coming from direct buys of the single card and others coming from packs I've opened, etc. 

The first card was a single bought off eBay of arguably the best defender of all time, Italian and AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini. The card itself was goofier looking in person than I originally anticipated so I'll know to avoid Merlin sorcerer's auto cards later. I liked the price though when I bought it to add someone of this stature. 

Anyone that plays FIFA (now EAFC) or watched soccer during the 90's will undoubtedly know the next card. Bulgarian forward Hristo Stoichkov who was most known for his days playing with Barcelona and at one time was the Ballon d'Or winner as the best player in the world. Contrary to the Maldini card, I really like the way this card pops in person.

Another eBay add comes in the form of Argentinian center back and Inter Milan player Walter Samuel. This is another name I remember from playing FIFA and he's considered one of the best defenders of his era as well. You already know I like this style of card since I've already added a few of these Copa America green wave Prizm autos to my collection.

Next up are a couple of my favorite club's players, as my Liverpool collection grows. Darwin Nunez Topps Chrome blue auto /75 and Ibrahim Konate Merlin auto /150. I am always happy to add more LFC players to my personal collection.

The next card is another current footballer and defender who plays for the German National team and captains Bayern Munich, Joshua Kimmich. The below is a Topps Finest auto /99 which is a set I really like as well. Kimmich will probably be considered a lower tier legend years down the road because he's consistently been one of the best players in the game for a long time. 

Next up we have a trio of pack pulled autographs, meaning I actually bought sealed product and ended up pulling these cards out of those boxes. The first is a really cool hit as it's hard to get and considered a multi case hit. The chances of pulling one of these from retail is very small. It's from the Women's Champions League set and is a "Starting 11" or "Roman Numerals" autograph. As you can see, the numbering on this one is VI/XI, so each autograph in this set is numbered to 11. This is a young German forward named Franziska Kett, so the player herself isn't yet a big name but the autograph card is really cool. 

A few weeks ago I opened a couple more Copa America Prizm blasters I found at a local Walmart and was able to pull another green wave auto. Jesus Ferreira plays for MLS side FC Dallas as well as the US National team. When pulling auto from this set you hope you don't see USA on the back as the big names are clearly from Argentina and Brazil but I'll never complain about pulling an auto from retail.

This card was even more disappointing than the card above because this autograph came from a hobby box of Copa America Prizm, in which you are guaranteed an auto. Not only is it another American but it's a base auto, and it's a player I don't really know much about. Luca de la Torre plays for Celta Vigo in the Spanish La Liga.  

Lastly, I added a cheap eBay auto of young Spanish left back Alejandro Balde, who starts for Barcelona and seems to have a ton of upside long term. I'm not really sold on the Stadium Club chrome set this year but couldn't pass this one up at $10.