Major League Soccer has stepped into the spotlight with its inaugural Debut Patch card release, echoing the fervor generated by Major League Baseball’s acclaimed 2023 Topps Chrome Update. The unveiling of the 2024 MLS Topps Chrome on December 4 has ignited a fresh wave of enthusiasm among collectors, with one card, in particular, causing a stir—a redemption for Hugo Lloris’s Debut Patch Card has already been discovered.
In a thrilling turn of events on December 7, Andy Wert uncovered a hidden gem at E and J Boutique in Brooklyn, NY, as he cracked open a hobby box of the latest MLS product and unearthed a redemption card for Hugo Lloris’s Debut Patch. Lloris, a legendary goalkeeper renowned for leading France to a World Cup triumph in 2018 and boasting a record 145 caps for the French national team, made his MLS debut this year with Los Angeles FC. This revelation has propelled the card to instant acclaim, capturing the hearts of fans and collectors alike.
Priced at an affordable $120, the hobby box promises two chrome autographs, but it is the allure of this redemption card that has set pulses racing—it stands out as one of the most coveted pulls in the entire set.
The release of the 2024 MLS Topps Chrome marks a significant milestone for MLS trading cards, introducing Debut Patch Cards that display authentic jersey patches from players’ inaugural MLS appearances. Among the 35 standout Debut Patch Cards are luminaries such as Luis Suárez, the prolific Uruguayan striker now donning the colors of Inter Miami; Emil Forsberg, the Swedish international showcasing his talent with the New York Red Bulls; and Federico Redondo, an emerging Argentinian sensation plying his trade at Inter Miami. However, it is Hugo Lloris’s Debut Patch that shines brightly as a prized possession, bridging his illustrious international journey with his new chapter in Major League Soccer.
While hobby boxes for MLB’s 2023 Topps Chrome Update command a hefty $400 on the secondary market, the 2024 MLS Topps Chrome remains a steal at $120 per box. With several high-profile Debut Patch Cards still in circulation, including those of Suárez and Forsberg, enthusiasts are eagerly pursuing these iconic memorabilia pieces, aiming to secure a slice of soccer history for themselves.
By introducing Debut Patch Cards, MLS has expanded its presence in the collectibles realm, positioning its trading cards as a burgeoning force in the hobby landscape. By shining the spotlight on global stars and commemorating their MLS debuts, the league has tapped into a burgeoning collector base with a keen appetite for unique and exclusive memorabilia.
As collectors delve into their packs, the fervor surrounding the 2024 MLS Topps Chrome release shows no signs of waning. With Hugo Lloris’s redemption card causing a sensation, aficionados are on tenterhooks, eagerly anticipating the emergence of the next iconic card awaiting its reveal.