Where to score pro soccer jerseys before World Cup kickoff on Long Island

When Brandon Arriaza slips into his favorite team soccer jersey — Manchester City from the 2000-2001 season — he banks on scoring a reaction.

“It’s the best conversation starter,” says Arriaza, 21, who lives in Brentwood and runs 0929 Vintage, an online and pop-up shop at local markets featuring vintage jerseys. “It just gets the ball rolling with people.”

With the FIFA World Cup running June 11 to July 19, the fever for soccer jerseys is running as hot as famed footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in action. No wonder why: Jerseys beam style, collectibility and national and team pride.

“Now, more and more people want to wear and display and collect soccer jerseys,” says Arriaza, a New York Institute of Technology graduate who’s planning to pursue a master’s degree in education. “Before the World Cup, it was more about hardcore fans and collectors.”

The cost for current and vintage jerseys around Long Island run the gamut, based on supply and demand. Prices range from around $50 all the way to up to $5,000 for rare, authenticated and signed jerseys.

Soccer fever strikes

Soccer jerseys can represent a national team or club/team, as well as an individual player through the name and number on the back. The Soccer Post in Hicksville carries jerseys from around 20 nations, including replicas that run around $95. Authentic, player-issue jerseys cost about $150 to $170.

“Right now, the most popular jerseys are from Brazil and Argentina followed by Colombia and the USA,” says Rich Rodriguez, who manages the Long Island location of the established sports chain. “Italy is also popular even though Italy didn’t qualify for the World Cup. People are still buying the jerseys.”

The store, which also carries gear and equipment for players, can add names to jerseys using heat press for an additional $25 to $40.

With 30 years in the business, Warren Heller, owner of Living Legends Memorabilia and Collectibles Inc. in Rockville Centre, is well-versed in the dynamics of the market.

“The World Cup is certainly going to add to the popularity of soccer,” says Heller, adding that superstars in this sport, as with others, can send prices sky-high.

Heller recently sold a signed Ronaldo Real Madrid jersey for $2,200 to an avid collector of sports and entertainment memorabilia. “I’ve never sold a soccer jersey for more than that,” he says. Heller has sold an Argentina Messi jersey for around $2,000.

Pelé, the Brazilian superstar player who won three FIFA World Cup titles — in 1958, 1962 and 1970 — is also represented in the store. “Up until Ronaldo and Messi, Pelé was considered the greatest soccer player of all time,” Heller says. His unframed, signed and certified Pelé jersey is priced at $1,399.

From Pelé to present day superstars 

At Cardboard Memories, a 34-year-old sports memorabilia store in Commack, soccer jerseys are just one of the many items available. Interest in the sport has grown in recent years.

“Soccer is exploding,” says store owner Scott Stimell, whose merchandise include vintage and current jerseys that stretch from today to the Pelé days. The store’s stock of signed Messi jerseys cover various teams and prices that run around the $3,000 to $5,000 range.

The store also carries MVP’s mystery memorabilia boxes priced at around $500. “People like the excitement around the World Cup,” says Stimell, adding that they come sealed and contain authentic signed jerseys plus chances to win a World Cup experience such as tickets.

At Back of the Closet in Huntington, owner Andres Munoz, 32, takes pride in his array of soccer jerseys. The FIFA World Cup only comes around every four years, but he's a perennial fan and has been once since he was a little kid.

“My mom took me to the World Cup in ’98 of France and it stuck,” says Munoz. “It made an impression.”

Inventory is always in flux. A recent check turned up club and national jerseys including Manchester United, Barcelona, Team USA and Belgium. Prices run around $40 to $200.

Munoz recently sold a flame-patterned 1998 jersey of Japanese goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi for $125. “It was a really good price, and it sold really quickly,” says Munoz. “Even if you don’t love the sport, the design of that shirt is just so unique. Anyone can wear it.”

“Jerseys have definitely become very popular now,” adds Munoz. “Old or new, they’re a popular fashion statement.”