Throughout their illustrious history, Juventus have had some legendary kits – but which is their greatest? We have taken a trip down memory lane to pick out the Bianconeri’s top 5 shirts of all time.
Juve’s first kit maker was a brief time with Umbro, which started in the 1970s. Following this, the club took over design in-house until 1979, when Kappa arrived.
The Italian marque’s long partnership with the Turin club oversaw some incredibly successful campaigns; despite this, Juventus switched to Lotto at the turn of the millennium. This three-year spell with another Italian brand preceded a long-term sponsorship with Nike, who produced the Bianconeri’s gear until the end of the 2014/15 season.
Adidas thus took over, with Juve being one of the sportswear giants’ premium clients to this day.
Both Adidas and Nike make the top 5 greatest Juventus kits – but we’re going to start with a much more vintage look.
#5: 1986/87 home
This beautiful Kappa strip only saw very minor changes throughout the 1980s – a very successful period for Juventus.
In particular, the 1986/87 home strip gets the nod on this greatest Juventus kits list, mostly due to the presence of the Scudetto shield. This addition beneath the Bianconeri’s two stars made for a really classy touch to an already vintage jersey.
The large-collared top will also evoke memories of Michel Platini’s genius for the Old Lady during this decade. Platini scored the decisive goal in the 1985 European Cup Final – earning Juve’s first UCL, albeit in a match overshadowed by the Heysel disaster.
Juventus cemented themselves as a force both in Italy and on the continent in the 1980s, with Kappa providing a great strip for them to do so.
#4: 1995/96 away
Next up among the greatest Juventus kits of all time is another strip that saw silverware on the continent.
Kappa once again knocked it out of the park with an effort that was so beautifully 90s. The Italian brand maintained Juve’s traditional blue/yellow away colours. However, the Champions League-esque yellow stars on the shoulders gave it a more modern twist. The retro style collar really added to such a sublime jersey, too.
The likes of Didier Deschamps, Gianluca Vialli, and Alessandro Del Piero donned this kit during the 1996 UCL final. Here, the Old Lady beat Ajax on pens to win their second European Cup.
As ever, the success of the shirt has added to its mystic. The 1995/96 away is truly one of Juventus’ greatest kits.
#3: 2012/13 home
Finally, we veer away from Kappa for a while to bring a modern classic from Nike.
The 2012/13 home strip is the most prototypical Juventus kit of modern times. The simple, round-neck collar in black provides such a clean look. Additionally, the understated nature of Juve’s typical “Jeep” sponsor adds to the entire minimalist vibe that Nike brought to this jersey.
Once again, this Bianconeri kit saw silverware – this time domestically. Juventus secured the 2012/13 Serie A title in this fit, their second Scudetto on the trot. They would eventually go on to win eight in a row – but arguably not in any kit as nice as Nike’s effort in 2012.
#2: 2015/16 away
A kit that Drake helped place into the football-fashion stratosphere, everything about this Adidas strip just works.
Juventus have had a close affinity with the colour pink on their alternate kits – but this is definitely the greatest iteration of it.
A black collar and Adidas stripes help frame the bright base of the top. The Jeep sponsor also provides a break from the pink, although the deep shade running beneath it makes for a nice addition.
Overall, Adidas were almost faultless during their first campaign as Juve kit maker (the third shirt is a belter, too). They arguably have not come close to these levels since.
#1: 1999/2000 home
Finishing top of the greatest Juventus kits ever is Kappa’s last hurrah as teamwear provider. Everything about this is just spot on.
When seeing this top, you cannot help but think of Zinedine Zidane, long sleeves, pirouetting around defenders on a cold Piedmont Sunday. From the Kappa taping down the arms to the Liberta Digitale sponsor, what’s not to like about this kit?
However, even with a squad containing legends such as Zidane, Del Piero, Gianluca Zambrotta, and Edgar Davids, Juve failed to win a major trophy. An Intertoto Cup came back to the Stadio Delle Alpi – but nothing else.
In fact, the Old Lady lost the Serie A title on the final day. A shock defeat at Perugia gifted Lazio the trophy.
Still, Bianconeri fans must surely look back fondly on what was an absolutely brilliant work of art from Kappa. All of their kits in the 1990s were great; but the 1999/2000 home is, in our eyes, the greatest that Juventus ever had.
Featured image credit: Getty
