As Euro 2016 approaches, football fans of all ages are rediscovering the childhood joy of collecting Panini stickers. While the hobby was once reserved for children saving pocket money and swapping in playgrounds, a new wave of adult collectors is embracing the nostalgia.
Retro football enthusiasts are turning to sticker albums as a way to relive memories of past tournaments, from Euro 88 to World Cup 98. For adults, completing an album is now more affordable, and they can stick the stickers accurately—a childhood challenge for many.
Collecting also offers a way to learn about lesser-known players, such as Ukraine's Taras Stepanenko. Veterans like Gianluigi Buffon appear in multiple albums, creating a mini-collection for long-time fans. Workplaces have become the new playgrounds for swaps, and online forums and official apps help track collections.
Despite some raised eyebrows from shop assistants, the trend is growing. One collector noted that a shop assistant gave him a look suggesting he was the tenth adult that day to buy an album. For many, the hobby is a reminder of simpler summers, football in the park, and England's penalty shootout exits.
