Major League Soccer has made a grand entrance into the world of Debut Patch cards, creating a buzz similar to Major League Baseball’s 2023 Topps Chrome Update with the unveiling of the 2024 MLS Topps Chrome on December 4. Collectors now have a new set to chase, and the recent revelation of a highly sought-after card—the redemption for Hugo Lloris’s Debut Patch Card—has sent ripples of excitement throughout the collecting world.
In a stroke of luck, Andy Wert of E and J Boutique in Brooklyn, NY, uncovered the coveted Hugo Lloris redemption on December 7 while indulging in a hobby box of the new MLS product. Lloris’s reputation precedes him as one of the most distinguished goalkeepers in the sport, leading France to a World Cup victory in 2018 and holding the record for the most appearances for the French national team with 145 caps. His debut this year with Los Angeles FC in MLS makes this particular card a gem for both fans and collectors.
Priced at a modest $120, the hobby box offers two chrome autographs per box, but it is the special redemption card featuring Hugo Lloris that steals the spotlight as one of the most desirable finds in the collection.
The 2024 MLS Topps Chrome release marks a breakthrough for the league in the realm of Debut Patch Cards, which display authentic jersey patches from players’ inaugural MLS matches. Among the 35 Debut Patch Cards featured in the set, global stars such as Luis Suárez of Inter Miami, Emil Forsberg of the New York Red Bulls, and Federico Redondo of Inter Miami are showcased. However, it is Hugo Lloris’s Debut Patch that shines brightly, blending his illustrious international career with his new journey in Major League Soccer.
While hobby boxes of MLB’s 2023 Topps Chrome Update are now commanding a lofty $400 on the secondary market, the 2024 MLS Topps Chrome set remains a steal at $120 per box. With prestigious Debut Patch Cards of Suárez and Forsberg still out there, soccer enthusiasts are eagerly entering the chase in hopes of securing their slice of history.
The introduction of Debut Patch Cards in MLS trading cards marks a pivotal moment in the hobby, further solidifying the league’s presence in collectibles. By highlighting international icons and commemorating their MLS debuts, MLS has tapped into a burgeoning collector demographic hungry for distinctive memorabilia.
As collectors across the globe continue to tear open packs of the 2024 MLS Topps Chrome, the fervor surrounding this release shows no signs of waning. With Hugo Lloris’s remarkable pull making waves, enthusiasts are on the edge of their seats, eager to witness which other iconic cards will surface next.