Panini's iconic football sticker album, a staple of World Cup tournaments for decades, is set to be discontinued after 2030. The announcement comes amid a summer World Cup already overshadowed by political controversy, travel restrictions, and disputes over ticket prices.
Guardian writers have shared their nostalgic recollections of collecting stickers, from the thrill of completing a page to the frustration of missing a rare player. One writer recalled the 'playground twerp' who would flaunt duplicates and drive hard bargains.
Another described the joy of swapping stickers with friends, the smell of fresh packets, and the agony of finding a duplicate of a common player. The album, they noted, was a shared experience that transcended age and background, uniting fans in a common quest.
The decision to end the sticker album after 2030 marks the end of an era for many football enthusiasts. While the exact reasons for the discontinuation remain unclear, it is seen as a significant loss to the culture surrounding the World Cup.
