They then brought Mikati together with 15 Hublot ambassadors and friends of the brand to create 15 unique designs that represent the football of their dreams.
Each is a one-off, a work of art created to capture themes of hope and universal respect, as well as the football stars’ individual personalities and their shared passion for football. Some are hand drawn and painted, others are crocheted, representing the human element in football.
You can visit Hublot boutiques in Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Galleria Mall in Abu Dhabi.
To stay up to date, follow: @Hublot #Hublot #HublotLovesFootball.
“Today, Hublot is the first name in football timekeeping,” said Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot. “For this year’s tournament, we wanted to do something that expresses our belief in a free, diverse and united world in a new and memorable way.
“We are so proud to be collaborating with Mira Mikati and our Hublot ambassadors and friends of the brand to tell this story. We are also delighted to be the Official Timekeepers of the FIFA World Cup for the fourth time, dating back to the 2010 South Africa tournament.
“We are really looking forward to the start of this year’s football festival and wish all participating teams the best of luck. Hublot loves football!”
Mikati expanded her creative process for this unique project.
“The game is at the heart of all my designs,” she said. “When I’m not playing with color, I’m playing with words.
“Just as football is fun on the field, I want my work to be a constant good luck charm.
“Dreams can come true. It was very special to meet the Hublot ambassadors and talk about their dreams, passions and how far these drivers can take you.
“By interpreting the dream of every player, with Hublot we want to inspire others to dream just as big.
“Whether it’s playing for your country or designing your own collection, we want to inspire the next generation to believe that they can achieve anything.”
Mikati met with each star and explored their passions and personalities to help create the final designs. Here you are:
Hublot loves football x Pelé
Pelé is a football icon and much more. Inspired by the Brazilian’s energy, peace and humanity, Mikati conceived the Pelé design around five qualities that she believes best describe him: Optimism, Discipline, Respect, Authenticity and Iconoclasm. She chose yellow to capture Pelé’s sunny disposition and added the famous silhouette of his overhead kick.
Hublot loves football x Kylian Mbappé
Mikati described the challenge of designing a ball for French superstar Kylian Mbappé as one of the most exciting of her career. She wanted to capture the concepts of “dreams” and “devotion” and illustrate his dedication to realizing his wildest ambitions. The colors reflect this story. Pink, his favorite color, for his first dream football boots. Orange for Inspired by KM, his children’s foundation. And blue for France and the beauty of the sky.
Hublot loves football x Laure Boulleau
Former France international Laure Boulleau told Mikati how she uses joy to help her face life’s challenges – to see and feel the good. Her ball is hand crocheted in rainbow blue tie-dye and embroidered with the word ‘Hope’. The “o” is heart-shaped to express Boulleau’s love of a challenge.
Hublot loves football x Marcel Desailly
Mikati saw a wonderful, celebratory energy in France’s world champion. She took the colors of the Ghana flag and Desailly’s racquet to create a sunny, fresh ball design. The crowning glory is the date, July 12, 1998, the day on which he became world champion.
Hublot loves football x Didier Deschamps
Deschamps is one of just three men to have won the World Cup both as a player and as a coach, both for his native France. Mikati wanted to honor his extraordinary career in his design and created The Victory Ball. It is adorned in the colors of the French Tricolore flag and is adorned with stars that have been hand-drawn and painted like a child to represent the victories to come.
Hublot loves football x Luis Figo
In the creative session with Mikati, former Portugal international Figo drew a shamrock on a soccer ball to bring good luck to everyone he loves. Mikati added stars and hearts to remind him of his many glorious victories and memories, and his mantra: “Follow your dreams. Never lose faith.” Dark green, blue and white are his son’s favorite colors.
Hublot loves football x Ada Hegerberg
Norway international Hegerberg’s motto is simple: “Believe in yourself”. Finding an incredibly dynamic personality, Mikati created a colorful crocheted ball decorated with the same motto.
Hublot loves football x Roberto Martinez
Mikati might have played with the reds, blacks and yellows of the Belgian team Roberto led at the tournament, but she felt they were too aggressive for his personality. Instead, the ball uses lighter, warmer colors that reflect its friendly, generous nature. At his request, she attached the ball with an Apple AirTag – so he never lost it.
Hublot loves football x Alex Morgan
USA international Morgan plays her club soccer in California and is the captain of the San Diego Wave. Mikati captured the warmth of the state with a California sunset in Morgan’s design, adding a palm tree motif and horizon line, symbolizing the limitless opportunities for women in football.
Hublot loves football x Jose Mourinho
One of football’s greatest managers of all time, Mourinho is known for his succinct insights. He gave Mikati two: 1) “The World Cup ball must represent all the colors of the world.” She created a cheerful, graphic interpretation of the flags of the competing nations. And second, his secret motto: “The most important victory is the next one.” She added these bright, forward-looking words to his design.
Hublot Loves Soccer x Alexia Putellas
The Spain international loves colours, flowers, the sea and spending time with her family. Mikati has designed a cheerful, summery colorful ball for her, covered with floral motifs. The design also included a heart representing Alexia’s sisters, the Barcelona coast and of course her love of football.
Hublot loves football x Hervé Renard
As Saudi Arabia manager, Frenchman Renard told Mikati he was inspired by the heat, blue skies and palm trees of the desert. She took this and created a scene full of color and life, adding the word ‘unity’ to capture Renard’s starting point as a coach: ‘the team before the player’.
Hublot loves football x Xherdan Shaqiri
Shaqiri is an icon of Swiss football. Mikati designed a ball that celebrated his love for family and the value of respect passed down to him from his parents. She used handwritten, colorful typography to connect him to those values and energize him.
Hublot loves football x Gareth Southgate
Speaking to the England manager, Mikati said she has developed a deep understanding of the power of human values in football. One of his maxims is: “Be brave, be kind and follow your dreams!”. The dominant color is green, an emotional color for him, inspired by soccer fields.
Hublot loves football x David Trezeguet
The Trezeguet goal machine shot France to the 1998 world championship title. His passion and infectious energy led Mikati to design a yellow, orange and red ball, nicknamed the Trezegoal.
