As the 2021/2022 season draws to a close, kit makers are already looking ahead to the next season. Teams will soon be unveiling their new shirts, hoping to give fans the best football kits in which to show off their support.
Everybody loves a good kit; if the design is a hit, a football shirt can reach immortal status, regardless of the success of the team wearing it. With this in mind, here are five of the best-looking football kits of all time.
Read: Leaked Barcelona 2022/23 kits appear online – and they look incredible
We must add a disclaimer that these are in no particular order – they are all simply wonderful football shirts.
Arsenal 2005/2006 Home
Worn to commemorate their last season at Highbury Stadium, the Gunners utilised a stunning alternative home kit. The different colour was used in their first season at Highbury in 1913. Wonderfully modelled by the poise of Thierry Henry, this stunning redcurrant and gold combination was timeless and classy. A real hit from makers Nike.
Sadly, the kit did not see much on-field success. Arsenal went trophy-less in 2005/06. However, they did reach the Champions League final. They lost 2-1 to Barcelona, with the Gunners wearing their yellow away kit. If they had this redcurrant kit on, maybe they would have won…
Netherlands 1988 Home
An iconic shirt, the Netherlands used this kit at Euro 1988. In the traditional Dutch orange, this adidas number stood out due to its distinctive chevron pattern. Furthermore, the success of the team wearing it certainly helped elevate its status as a legendary kit.
The Netherlands won Euro 1988, beating the USSR 2-0 in the final. Marco van Basten’s spectacular volley that helped the Oranje to victory is considered one of the best goals of all time.
Due to replica shirt sales being a much smaller industry than it is nowadays, original replicas of this kit are very hard to find. Therefore, the Netherlands 1988 home shirt is a collector’s dream, adding to its mystical status.
Real Madrid 1999-2001 Away
A kit that feels underrated somewhat, Real Madrid’s black and gold away shirt should be held up as one of the best football kits ever. Worn during an incredibly successful period for Los Blancos, this kit graced many a big occasion.
Madrid sported this gorgeous shirt as they defeated Valencia 3-0 in the 2000 Champions League final. Goals from Fernando Morientes, Steve McManaman and Raul sealed Madrid’s then eighth European cup.
In contrast, Manchester United fans may not remember this shirt so favourably. The Red Devils lost 3-2 to Madrid, who wore this kit as they knocked United out in the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2000.
Nigeria 2018 Home
Already a modern classic, Nigeria’s home shirt for the 2018 World Cup sold out within minutes of release on the Nike site. According to the BBC, over three million people pre-ordered the stunning green and white kit.
Featuring black and white on the sleeves, Nike claimed that the kit paid homage to the Super Eagles’ 1994 World Cup outfit. Sadly, we did not get to see much of this beauty as Nigeria exited the 2018 tournament at the group stages.
Fiorentina 1998/1999 Home
Batistuta. Nintendo. Fiorentina. It was a match made in heaven.
Fila’s best iteration of this iconic combination was definitely 1998/1999. Featuring some subtle white banding on the sleeves, the simplicity of the bold purple and the brilliant Nintendo logo makes for a wonderful piece of football gear.
Although La Viola did not win a trophy in this season, they still finished an impressive third in Serie A. Talisman Gabriel Batistuta was the driving force, as he scored 21 goals in 28 games. Even if they finished bottom, this ridiculously nice shirt would put them as winners in our eyes.
What is the best football kit of all time in your opinion? Let us know!
Featured Image Credit: Getty
