German sportswear maker Adidas has forecast record sales for its soccer business in 2014, aiming to retain market leadership in the sport ahead of US rival Nike in a soccer World Cup year.

Adidas and Nike dominate a market for replica shirts, balls and boots estimated to be worth about €5 billion annually.

"It is a battle between us and Nike, not only in Brazil but the whole football world," Adidas chief executive Herbert Hainer said at a news conference at the company's headquarters in southern Germany.

Setting out its targets a year before the World Cup kicks off in Brazil, Adidas said sales from its soccer division would break the €2 billion barrier for the first time in 2014.

Such sales surpassed €1.7 billion in 2012 and are expected to remain around that level this year, despite the lack of major championships.– ( Reuters)