In October, we dare (to be different)! 🖼️
September passed almost as quickly as summer. The football and sports season is back in full swing. Daily life has resumed its course. And so have our monthly collections (of 4 new football photographs).
So without further ado, here is the summary of this October selection: a class photograph of RC Lens 1982, an iconic photo of Basile Boli returning to the pitch hungry to take on AC Milan in the 1993 final, the iconic shot of the celebrations of Argentina's victory, with Messi on the shoulders of his teammates and supporters holding the trophy, at the 2022 World Cup and a (mythical!) black & white painting of Beckenbauer on holiday on his deckchair with his toes spread out.
But just before we delve into each of these works in more detail, here's some very important news: boutique.so will now offer you the chance to buy a selection of back issues from the editorial staff of the So Press group's older magazines. Starting with So Foot, Pédale, Tampon!, and also Society. A dedicated collection has even been created on the boutique.so homepage.
THE PHOTOS:
One team, one people, one setting. This team photo (and back-to-school photo) of RC Lens from the 1980s, taken in front of the headframe (the system of beams and planks essential for coal extraction) of a mine, represents the very essence of the club. Here, football and local working-class tradition intertwine, cleats mingle with helmets, and the blood and gold jersey becomes a social banner as much as a sporting one. Even more so than today, this 1982/83 RC Lens team, led by Gérard Houllier, represented a generation that didn't just play: it represented an entire region. Smiling faces, displayed solidarity, and behind them, this symbol of working-class history… Racing has never been more deserving of its nickname: the “Blood and Gold of the Mining Villages.”
Munich, May 26, 1993. Olympique de Marseille is about to write the most glorious chapter in its history. The players take to the pitch at the Olympic Stadium, their gazes focused, the tension palpable. Facing them is the mighty AC Milan of Baresi, Maldini, and company. And, judging by the look on his face, Basile Boli is already ready to devour them whole.
This image captures the moment it all began. Even before kickoff. Moments later, Basile Boli, with a header from a corner, secured France's first Champions League title. Eternal glory.
It took 18 years of international career, four World Cups, and countless debates for Lionel Messi to finally achieve his ultimate goal. On December 18, 2022, in Lusail, Argentina defeated France in an epic final (3-3; 4-2 on penalties), undoubtedly one of the greatest in history.
And this image, amidst the jubilant crowd, captures the exact moment everything stops: Messi raises the Cup, carried by his teammates, surrounded by a frenzied audience. It's no longer just a sports image, but a pop culture icon. A national liberation, an international triumph (for all his fans). Every detail of this photograph, every smile, every outstretched arm, every raised phone testifies to the significance of this moment. Messi doesn't just win a Cup: he closes a chapter and opens an eternal legend.
Legend or not, Franz Beckenbauer also knew how to enjoy life. Lying on a deckchair, a serene smile on his face, feet up, he savors a summer day in 1968, far from the pitch. This black and white photograph presents the "Kaiser" in an unexpected pose: no ball, no trophy, just a moment of relaxation by the sea. A rare and precious image that humanizes one of the greatest names in German football history. That's why it deserves a place in the So Foot! photograph collection.
BONUS:
This month, it's not just photographs and magazines that have arrived at boutique.so. Two pairs of socks have also been added to the extensive collection paying tribute to amateur football, launched in partnership with Foot Dimanche. Take a look at this first new addition, perfect for Sunday league footballers who started up front and ended up in defense.
At €12.95, I have to have them!
The second pair? It goes even further, highlighting those who started on the field only to end their careers at the refreshment stand.
At €12.95, I have to have them!
And since most of you probably missed the announcement of the collection, here are its best pieces . Hopefully, they'll at least make you want to kick a ball around on a hard surface in a smelly training bib before sharing a good drink in the post-match celebrations. 
All these photographs are limited edition.
From 11 to 30 copies maximum depending on size and medium.