20 greatest jerseys of all-time
Sartorial legends
As readers of this publication will know, establishing the superlative has been a timeless quest. Where teams and players have featured in the past, attention this time turns to literally the most visible item — jerseys.
Criteria
Ranking jerseys is a highly subjective task. It’s also multi-dimensional. For consistency, decision criteria must be established. Mine are:
- Iconic design: Two factors influence the appeal of a jersey: 1) history (who wore it and when) and 2) design. While the former is important influence, I will focus more on the sartorial and aesthetic aspects.
- First-jersey: I’m only ranking the “home” jerseys. This is for reasons. The home jersey is the main design/identity for a team. Second/third jerseys are often more stylish or quirky on purpose, and can affect the judgment. It also makes the sample more manageable.
- Main teams: Where possible, I’m limiting myself to the better-known teams. Otherwise, it risks becoming an obscure trivia.
Ranks 20–6
20. Internazionale 1997
The Nerazzuri have a distinguished place in football history. Their black and blue jersey, a combination that’s not too common, is just as iconic. The Pirelli sponsored Umbro kit is remarkable for its symmetry, central badge, and for the memory of their world-record transfer Ronaldo arriving in Milan to terrorize defences. Unforgettable.
19. Italy 1990
When they hosted the World Cup on their own soil, the Azzurri sported a beautiful blue jersey, adorned with a stylish circular badge and a tricolour collar trim. Used from Euro 1988 onwards, the kit design was simple, elegant and quintessentially Italian.
18. Scotland 1978
Scotland were instantly recognizable in this dark dark blue, bold-collared classic, with the Umbro “diamond” down the sleeves. Archie Gemmill, Andy Gray, Kenny Dalglish et.al have great photos in this iconic jersey.
17. Arsenal 2005
With its beautiful colour, central badge and matching gold logos, the “redcurrant” Arsenal jersey of 2005/6 is a veritable classic, that becomes even more special when we recall (King) Henry wearing it.
16. AS Roma 1988
Barilla was the first sponsor to appear on Giallorossi jerseys. A number of manufacturers made this jersey throughout the 80s and early 90s. I like the Ennere (NR) one best. The deep red and gold, and the wolf badge — traditional associations of Rome, looked even more majestic when worn by the combative Ancelotti and the elegant I Principe, Giannini.
15. Spain 1996
La Furia Roja rocked up with this unique, smart and stylish beauty at Euro 96. The shorts also had Adidas stripes down the sides to give the kit a cohesive look. Very classy and would not look out of place at a high-end fashionwear retailer.
14. France 1984
Le Blues Adidas jersey is hailed as an all-time classic — the sight of magical Platini leading them to their first major trophy making it all the more iconic. Their Euro 1996 jersey with the laced-collar was also quite good.
13. Venezia 2021
To mark their return to the Serie A after 19 years, Venezia FC came up with this masterpiece. The artistic incorporation of club colours, Basilica di San Marco stars, club name, crest and Kappa logo is just stunning.
12. Napoli 1989
Like Napoli FC, this jersey is forever associated with Maradona. Having said that, it had its own merits. Clean symmetrical design, beautiful colour in the exact color scheme as their badge, and the world’s largest confectionery maker, Mars, as a (rare) sponsor! Legendary all-round.
11. Japan 2022
The Blue Samurai’s Adidas kit, inspired by the Great Wave off Kanagawa, is a masterpiece of sophisticated design. They qualified sensationally from a seemingly impossible group and famously also cleaned up the stadiums after their games. Japan really did make a “wave” at the 2022 World Cup.
10. Belgium 1982
While the Belgians exited the 1982 World Cup winless, their kit was outstanding. The Admiral designed kit had its logo repeat along the yellow lines on the sides of the jersey (and shorts). The Belgian crest looked regal in the centre. Intelligence and creativity meet here in dazzling fashion.
9. Sampdoria 1990
Sampdoria’s jersey is instantly recognizable by its chest bands, which are in the colours of the clubs that merged to form UC Sampdoria. Widely accepted as a classic, the ERG sponsored jersey evokes the memories of Sampdoria’s brilliantly talented crop — Mancini, Vialli, Vierchowod, Pagliuca, Lombardo et.al, who led them to their only Serie A title so far.
8. Juventus 1983
With its stripes, deep V-collar, and association with legends like Rossi and Platini, this jersey oozes class, and sophistication of Italian design. Although the Bianconeri borrowed the black and white stripes from Notts County, this pattern is today associated more with them than anyone else.
7. Mexico 1998
This mesmerising El Tri jersey is a masterpiece of design that reflects the team’s identity in every aspect. It combines history, traditional colours, and the Mexican flag scheme in a harmonious and captivating way.
6. Fiorentina 1997
As per legend, a washing accident dyed Fiorentina’s original jerseys purple. Since then, I Viola have been synonymous with this colour. Their Nintendo sponsored jerseys (1997–99) are cult classics and Batistuta’s exhilarating celebrations in these kits make us feel they’re imbued with super-powers.
5. Lazio 1982
This jersey is a masterpiece of design. Biancoceleste jerseys usually have clean aesthetic designs, but this is just something else. The balance, the hues, the way the club emblem (eagle) spreads across the chest. Imperious.
4. Denmark 1986
Featuring pinstripes, shadow stripes, two-halves and Hummel’s characteristic chevrons, this Danish jersey brought together various design elements in the country’s red and white colours in the most beautiful way possible. Mesmerising.
3. West Germany 1990
The minimalist and geometric appeal of West Germany’s World Cup winning jersey has stood the test of time. Also worn at Euro 88, the tricolour ribbon-design has the precision we associate with German machinery, and contrasts elegantly with the traditional white jersey.
2. Brazil 1970
After the Maracanzo (1950), Brazil ditched their “unlucky” white jersey and adopted a canary yellow one with green trim, and blue shorts, matching the colours of their flag. They debuted this jersey in 1954, but it became famous in Mexico 1970, the first World Cup to be broadcasted in colour. Pele’s celebrations, captured in their Technicolour glory, further cemented its legendary status. A truly iconic jersey.
1. Netherlands 1988
Het Oranje are no strangers to turning heads with their instantly recognizable, resplendent orange jerseys. While their 1974 jersey is also a classic, the chevron-patterned Adidas jersey, manufactured solely for their1988 European Championship campaign, is universally regarded among the greatest of all time, if not the most iconic of all time.
At Euro 88, the USSR and West German away jerseys also had chevrons (red and green) but the pattern did not look as good as it did in orange.
The colour, the unique design, the sword-holding lion rampant with Nederland written under it, van Basten’s impossible goal in the Final, the dreadlocked Gullit lifting the European Championship trophy; from small to big, everything about, and around, this jersey is special.
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