Le Coq Sportif sent a cotton uniform featuring the New York Cosmos pattern for testing. Unlike polyester, which is commo...nly used in Brazilian football shirts, this material has the advantage of not becoming soaked with sweat. The São Paulo board approved the experiment and did not specify that they wanted to take the cotton shirts on their European summer tour with the traditional team design. The factory sent the uniforms to Morumbi, where they were received without anyone checking the contents. It was only in Rome that the package was opened to reveal shirts that were completely white with red and black stripes only on the collar and sleeves. This shirt was only worn once, on 20 August 1984, during the match against Roma at the Flaminio Stadium, and it was worn by striker Casagrande. During this trip, the team also visited Rome's sights and met Pope John Paul II.
Specifically regarding the shirt, it is indeed made of cotton and the fabric is different to that used for all the other Le Coq shirts manufactured for the club. The absence of stripes gives the shirt an unusual and unique look that I find extraordinary. The numbers on the chest and sleeve are charming in their own right, and the plain back with just the number adds a touch of sophistication.