Soccer Smurfs are probably the most wanted smurfs of them all. From the very common Soccer Smurf (20035) to the more harder to find Bundesliga Soccer Smurfs. No doubt you will find soccer smurfs on a collector’s most wanted list.
Soccer Smurf (20035) was first released around 1978 and was given the name Striker. This smurf can be found wearing a red shirt & socks and yellow shorts while kicking white soccer ball. Alternatively you can also find this smurf wearing yellow shirt & socks and red shorts.
In Germany, a series of smurfs were released in each of the teams colours that made up the Bundesliga league. Along with the smurf, came its own display case and team logo.
In the UK when smurfs were first introduced, they to had a series of smurfs released in team colours. This was sometime around the late 1970’s to early 1980’s.
There have also been countless soccer smurfs found wearing international team colours.
The Bundesliga, UK and ones wearing international team colours can be quite hard to find in mint condition.
In 1992, Schleich released New Soccer (20416), using the same mould before but this time kicking a white and black checkered ball. This soccer smurf was wearing a yellow top & socks and red/orange shorts.
Nobody will never really know how many soccer smurfs have been made over the years. I guess while smurfs are continually made and soccer is being played there will be always soccer smurfs to collect.
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B