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The greatest football shirts ever made – ranked and reviewed

October 17, 2025 Kris Isaksen

From dazzling colors to legendary moments, some football shirts are more than just kits — they're icons. Here's a look at the most unforgettable designs the beautiful game has ever seen, starting with the wildest and working our way back to the classics.

Croatia – 1998 home

Lotto nailed it with Croatia’s 1998 World Cup debut kit, draping the iconic šahovnica checkered pattern across the right shoulder. This bold look became a symbol of their incredible run to the semifinals and was so good, it stayed in use for years.

Belgium – 1984 home

Adidas took a risk with Belgium’s 1984 shirt by slapping an argyle sash across the chest — and it paid off big. This bold red number is now considered the most iconic in Belgian football history.

Grêmio – 1988 home

Penalty’s 1988 Grêmio shirt is legendary, not just because of its classic black and blue stripes, but because a young Ronaldinho once wore it. South American kits rarely get better than this.

Brazil – 1998 home

Despite the heartbreak of the '98 World Cup final, Brazil’s kit remains unforgettable — a perfect blend of tradition and late-'90s style. Ronaldo’s ghostly performance only added to the myth.

Real Madrid – 1999/01 third

Worn by Steve McManaman during the 2000 Champions League final, this black and orange masterpiece is sleek and timeless. A true collectors’ favorite and a visual highlight of the Galáctico era.

Saint-Étienne – 1980/81 home

There’s just something magical about Saint-Étienne’s green kit from the Platini era. Bold sponsorship and a classic collar gave this Ligue 1 winner’s shirt serious style points.

Uruguay – 1992 home

A forgotten gem by Ennerre, Uruguay’s 1992 kit featured unique geometric patterns down the sleeve. Though the team struggled, the shirt itself remains a standout in their history.

AC Milan – 1999/00 home (centenary)

Adidas celebrated Milan’s 100th year with this refined, pinstriped kit. Used sparingly in select matches, it quickly became a prized collector’s item.

France – 2011 away

When Nike took over France’s kit deal in 2011, they set the bar high with a modern classic. The Breton-striped away shirt, inspired by the marinière, was a bold nod to French fashion heritage — and it paid off. One of the few true standouts from an otherwise conservative era.

Cork City – 1990 home

Adidas’ German template found new life with Cork City’s green-and-orange colorway. Throw in a massive Guinness sponsor logo, and you’ve got a cult classic.

Tokyo Verdy – 1993 home

The Mizuno-designed Verdy Kawasaki (now Tokyo Verdy) kit is pure J-League gold. Psychedelic patterns and bold color choices set this apart as an early '90s gem.

Manchester City – 1998 away

Worn during City’s dramatic playoff comeback against Gillingham, this highlighter-yellow Kappa shirt is steeped in club folklore. One of the wildest and most loved kits of the decade.

Arsenal – 1991/93 away

The bruised banana. Love it or hate it, this wild yellow and navy number is Arsenal’s most memorable kit — especially with Ian Wright scoring his first goal in it.

England – 1989/91 third

Worn only once competitively, this powder blue Umbro shirt gained legendary status thanks to World in Motion. It’s football meets Madchester.

Northern Ireland – 1990 away

This Umbro design is gloriously 1990s — full of optical illusions and bold green hues. Though it never made a major tournament, it’s still a fan favorite.

Ipswich Town – 1984/86 home

Modeled on France’s Euro ‘84 shirt, Ipswich’s version added a thick red V-neck and oversized trefoil. It’s a retro beauty from a team on the decline.

Argentina – 1986 home

Simple but perfect. Worn by Maradona during the Hand of God and the Goal of the Century, this Le Coq Sportif kit is one of football’s most iconic.

France – 2019 women’s away

Polka dots on a football shirt? Yes, and it looked incredible. The French women’s 2019 kit was a standout both on and off the pitch.

USA – 1994 away

The infamous denim kit. Mocked at the time, loved now — this was bold, loud, and undeniably American.

Tottenham – 1985/87 home

With chevron patterns and diagonal pinstripes, this Hummel classic was pure 80s flair. Bonus points: Maradona wore it in a testimonial.

Lazio – 1991/93 home

Sky blue and peak Umbro patterning made this Lazio shirt a '90s dream. Worn by the likes of Gascoigne and Signori, it's pure nostalgia.

Germany – 1994 home

Ditching the 1990 design, this sharp geometric pattern in German colors was risky — and brilliant. One of Adidas’ best efforts.

Fiorentina – 1998/99 home

Nintendo sponsor, purple and white design, Batistuta leading the line — need we say more? Fila struck gold with this Serie A stunner.

Newcastle United – 1996/97 goalkeeper

A silhouette of the city skyline on a keeper shirt? Iconic. Pavel Srníček and Shaka Hislop wore one of the most memorable goalie kits ever.

Jamaica – 1998 home

Vibrant yellow, striking patterns, and serious swagger — Jamaica’s debut World Cup kit was unforgettable. Pure energy in shirt form.

Liverpool – 1989/91 home

The Candy-sponsored shirt brought bold white detailing to Liverpool’s traditional red. It marked a fresh visual shift into the ‘90s.

Venezia – 2021/22 away

Less sportswear, more haute couture. Venezia’s mosaic-inspired Kappa kit is one of the most elegant football shirts ever made.

France – 1982 home

Oversized cockerel, red and white stripes, and Platini sweating it out in Sevilla — France’s 1982 kit is glorious retro magic.

Boca Juniors – 1981/82 home

Minimalist design with a CABJ chest script and Diego Maradona in full flight. Sometimes simple really is best.

Newcastle United – 1995/96 away

Used just five times, this deep burgundy and blue Adidas kit remains one of Newcastle’s most beloved. Ginola made it look like couture.

Inter Milan – 1991/93 away

Umbro took Inter’s away look to the next level with blue and black triangles on white. A strange design that just worked.

Manchester United – 1992/94 third

A tribute to the club’s Newton Heath roots, this green and yellow shirt became a protest symbol in later years. Stylish and political.

Parma – 1999/00 home

With a roster full of stars, Parma’s bold Champion kit fit right in. Fluorescent yellow and black — loud, but perfect for the era.

Roma – 1991/92 third

Deep navy, red and yellow trim, Barilla font, and the lupetto badge — this is the finest of Roma’s ‘90s collection.

Holland – 1988 home

Controversial then, iconic now. The scale-like pattern became a symbol of the Netherlands’ Euro '88 triumph.

Barcelona – 1995/97 away

Kappa’s Gaudí-inspired gem worn by Ronaldo, Figo, and Pep. A fitting look for the end of Cruyff’s era.

Palmeiras – 1990/91 home

Huge trefoil, Coca-Cola sponsor, and deep club history — this Palmeiras kit was all substance and style.

Nigeria – 1994 home

Before the 2018 hype, Nigeria’s 1994 kit was already a classic. Jay-Jay Okocha in this shirt? That’s pure joy.

Club América – 1994/95 home

Diamond patterns, Coca-Cola branding, and a bold crest made this a standout. So good, it inspired a modern reissue.

Inter Milan – 1997/98 UEFA Cup

Ronaldo lit up Europe in this sleek black and blue kit. It’s now a prized piece of Nerazzurri history.

Napoli – 1989/90 home

With Maradona leading Napoli to a second Scudetto, this NR-designed kit — complete with Mars sponsor — is footballing gold.

Borussia Dortmund – 1990/91 home

Nike’s debut for Dortmund featured Futura fonts and bold black shoulders. Still one of the club’s best.

Colombia – 1990 away

The red variant of Colombia’s Italia ‘90 kit had all the flair and none of the attention — until now. A real underrated gem.

Ajax – 1987/89 home

Kappa’s brief Ajax stint gave us this clean red-and-white classic. With Cruyff and Bergkamp involved, it’s football royalty.

Mexico – 1998 home

With Aztec sunstone graphics across the chest, this green kit was Mexico’s boldest ever. Luis Hernández made it iconic.

Sampdoria – 1990/92 home

The Scudetto-winning kit had it all: clean design, ERG sponsor, and legends like Vialli and Mancini. Italian elegance.

AC Milan – 1988/90 home

Ruud Gullit at his peak in Kappa stripes — pure perfection. This shirt symbolized Milan’s European dominance.

Marseille – 1990/91 home

Panasonic sponsor, shiny fabric, oversized trefoil — and Cantona pointing at the camera. This is French football cool.

Cameroon – 1990 home

Bright green, lion badge, and Italia ’90 magic — Cameroon’s kit matched their fearless underdog energy.

Denmark – 1986 home

Half-and-half design, Hummel’s finest hour, and a World Cup debut that set design trends for years. A Danish masterpiece.