The J1 League is a paradise for long-sleeve enthusiasts

Especially in recent times, football enthusiasts have started to attach particular importance to long-sleeve versions of jerseys. Whether it's because they are rarer or associated with certain players whose feats and moves are etched in collective memory (Thierry Henry being the foremost example) there is a valid reason why we remember them with great pleasure. However, despite naturally paying more attention to European leagues, we should take a look at the J1 League, the premier Japanese football league. Some players from Vissel Kobe and Avispa Fukuoka have recently worn the long-sleeve version of their club jerseys in certain matches, and we can observe how the designs are truly intriguing. PS: There are still quite a few players in the J1 League who opt for the base layer and short-sleeve jersey combo.

Unlike how we see them worn today by some players in European teams (Kai Havertz with Arsenal, Jude Bellingham with Real Madrid), the long sleeves of J1 League teams have the peculiarity of extending the design that characterizes the jersey onto the sleeves themselves. This is the case with the home and away shirts of Vissel Kobe, which boast a dynamic striped pattern that extends to the cuff. In the case of the aforementioned adidas-sponsored clubs, the long sleeves are nothing more than a "continuation" of the brand's Three Stripes. Without knowledge of the marketing strategies implemented by Japanese companies, it's difficult to determine how much they truly want to make them available on their e-commerce platforms. FC Tokyo and Vissel Kobe have opted to sell the long-sleeve version, unlike Avispa Fukuoka, which currently considers it only an exclusive option for players during match days.