Football stirs all sorts of emotions, but probably none is as special as a fan’s love for their club, for its colours, and for the pride of being able to wear them – or, at the very least, of feeling represented by them. From the early days of football to the present day, we have seen how this sport has changed enormously: the designs of the kits, the clubs’ symbols and, to some extent, their history too. However, there is one thing that remains unchanged: identity. Whether through the fans, who pass on these values to new generations, or through the clubs themselves, which – however much the design of their jerseys and official merchandise may evolve – retain their original colours, the very ones with which they have built their history. There are countless historic clubs all over the world whose jerseys would also deserve a place on this list. But the ones you’re about to see below are our picks.
10. Corinthians - Ayrton Senna 2018-19
It’s no secret that the famous Brazilian F1 driver Ayrton Senna was a huge football fan, and a particular supporter of Corinthians. And what better way to pay tribute to one of its most illustrious supporters than with a special jersey? The Brazilian club launched this special edition of one of its official jerseys in collaboration with the Ayrton Senna Institute. It proved a huge sales success both in Brazil and abroad.
9. Arsenal FC - 1992
The legendary ‘Bruised Banana’ in the year it was launched. A colour combination that has remained etched in the memories of Arsenal fans and which became one of the Gunners’ most beloved yellow jerseys.
8. Italy - 2002
It is true that Euro 2000 did not end in the best possible way for Italy, and that the 2002 World Cup will not be remembered by Italians as one of their finest tournaments either. However, that kit set a new trend in football: that of opting for an elegant, close-fitting design even when taking to the pitch. Kappa used an innovative material which, as well as looking very attractive, made it easier for referees to spot fouls involving pulling on the jersey. As it clung to the player’s body, any tugging at the jersey was much more visible. This trend spread throughout Italy and across the rest of the world, with numerous clubs choosing Kappa as their kit supplier – not just as the brand responsible for kitting out the Italian national team.
7. Germany - 1988-91
The West German home kit from 1988 to 1991, the last year in which the two Germanys were separate. This jersey made its debut at the 1988 Euro, but achieved its ultimate glory at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, when the players wearing the German national team jersey lifted the long-awaited World Cup trophy.
6. SL Benfica - 1983-85
Hummel, adidas and Olympic are just some of the brands that can boast of having kitted out SL Benfica on the pitch. However, it is the German brand that enjoys a special privilege: being the brand that has kitted out the Lisbon club for the longest period of time and has earned a special place in the hearts of the ‘Red’ supporters and the players who wear the official Benfica jersey. This kit, with a simple yet highly representative design embodying the ‘red’ identity, marked an era of SL Benfica’s dominance in national and international football. Despite the finals that slipped away, it was a kit worn by numerous Portuguese and international stars.
5. AC Milan - 1988-89
Few kit sum up an era quite as well as this one. Few teams can boast of having fielded one of the finest attacking trios of the late 1980s and early 1990s – and probably one of the best in history. It is impossible to talk about AC Milan without thinking of Rijkaard, Gullit and Van Basten, or that unforgettable Rossoneri jersey with the MEDIOLANUM sponsor’s logo on the chest. Milan’s dominance during those years was largely down to the talent of their three Dutch stars.
4. AS Roma - 1981-82
This AS Roma kit may seem more classic and even simple, but this is a design that left its mark on an entire generation. The colour scheme, together with the club’s iconic crest and the figure of the wolf, creates a look that is hard to forget. It’s a jersey we simply cannot leave off this list, and one in which great players, such as the Brazilian Falcão, shone.
3. Manchester United - 1992-94
The club from the north of England used this kit as their away kit during the 1992–93 and 1993–94 seasons. Players such as Eric Cantona wore one of the most iconic jerseys in Manchester United’s history. A very classic design, featuring two colours that are a far cry from the club’s usual colours, finished with a drawstring collar reminiscent of the earliest shirts used in professional football. A creation by Umbro, a brand founded in Manchester that supported the Red Devils for many years.
2. Inter Milan - 1988-91
This jersey makes the list not because of its spectacular design or the use of revolutionary materials, but because of its brand: Uhlsport. A company specialising in the manufacture of goalkeeper gloves which, during the 1980s, went on to kit out some of the world’s leading clubs, including Inter Milan. The German brand created an official kit for the Nerazzurri, which went on to become a symbol of a golden era for the club, featuring great stars on the pitch and numerous trophies in the trophy cabinet.
1. The Netherlands - 1988
A kit that has gone down in the history of a country, of a generation of footballers and also of an entire generation of football fans. That Netherlands national team dazzled the world with their attractive, talent-packed style of play. A simple design, dominated by orange, which stood out even more thanks to the black jersey numbers. The Clockwork Orange shone once more and, this time, they did so whilst wearing a jersey that symbolised a historic title: the 1988 Euro.
