It will rain goals in Russia!

David De Gea, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Pepe Reina have all criticised the nature of the Adidas Telstar 18 – the official match ball for the upcoming FIFA World cup. The ball which was unveiled back in November 2017 was inspired and modeled after the ones used in the 1970 and 1974 editions of the tournament.

David De Gea and Ter Stegen both featured in Friday’s international friendly between Spain and Germany. The pair conceded a goal apiece in the drawn encounter. Having had a feel of the ball during their respective stints in goal, the duo expressed their misgivings.

"The ball could be better; it moves a lot.

"But I think we're just going to have to get used to working with it and try to get to grips with it as quickly as possible before the World Cup starts," Ter Stegen declared according to AS

"We've got no other option."

"De Gea then affirmed the German shot-stopper's sentiments:

"Goalkeepers are going to have a lot of problems with this ball. "It's really strange.

"It could have been made a lot better.”  

Napoli's Pepe Reina also added his voice to the debate:

"Its flight is unpredictable and there is a lot of room for improvement on it. 

"I bet you as much as you like that we'll see at least 35 goals from long range [in Russia] because it's impossible to work out," said Reina.

"And it's covered in a plastic film that makes it difficult to hold on to."They should change it - there's still time."

It will be interesting as to whether FIFA will heed to these grievances with just 82 days to the start of the World Cup.