The 50 Best Soccer Kits of All Time

What are the best soccer kits for club and country that have stood the test of time?

November 8, 2013

Image via Complex Original

What makes a great soccer kit? Is it the feel of the material, the look of the shirt, or the historical significance behind the jersey? Depending on who you talk to, the answer is probably some sort of combination of all three. Throughout different decades in the sport’s history, the evolution of style and culture is apparent. We’ve gone from the simplest of designs to color schemes that have left us guessing at which team they represent, and from tight fitting shirts, to baggy kits, and back again. A great soccer shirt is coveted by collectors, and holds a special place in the hearts of the players that wore them. We got together in an attempt to circle the globe and span the years, in order to bring you the kits that we think stand out for all of the above reasons. For ex-players and soccer heads alike, check out, The 50 Best Soccer Kits of All Time.

Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103), Justin Block (@JBlock49), and Doug Sibor (@dcsibor)

50. 2003 Chelsea Away

Made by: Umbro

The first year of the Abramovich era at Chelsea brought with it one of the club's best away kits. The blue and black horizontal stripe down the middle was certainly attention-grabbing, as was the club's play on the field. While it was a year of seconds (second place in the Premier League, semi-finals in the Champions League), it set the stage for the dominant run that was soon to come.

49. 1973 Leeds United Home

Made by: Admiral

While they've fallen on hard times in more recent years, Leeds was one of the most successful clubs in the England during the 1970s. They had a beautifully simple kit that drew plenty of attention to the club's crest, and nothing else. They also had a rarely-seen integration with their socks, with each player having his number emblazoned on them. That's a tradition we demand return as soon as humanly possible.

48. 1978 Coventry City Away

Made by: Admiral

Maybe the nicest thing we can say about this shirt is nothing at all. Not only were the shirts a deep poop brown color, but for some reason Coventry elected to make their shorts that same poop color. Or maybe it's dirt? No matter what it is, though, it takes a bold person to put that kind of shirt on. And we here salute those who dare to be true, to wear the poop brown proudly without shame or fear of being shunned.

47. 1978 Scotland Home

Made by: Umbro

We're a big fan of tradition here at Complex. Sometimes, simplest is best. Scotland was clearly on our level in 1978, as their World Cup kit was about as simple as it gets. The simple Umbro design has not only a highly classy collar, but also does a magnificent job integrating the World Cup script into the team's seal. While Archie Gemmill did score one of the greatest goals in Scotland's international footballing history in this shirt, it was not enough to get them out of the group stage at the tournament.

46. 1991 FC Kaiserslautern Home

Made by: Uhlsport

We love this shirt because it's like a fine work of art; every time you think you've taken in each detail, a new random pattern or shape will jump out and surprise you. The club was clearly distracted by these magnificent shirts too, as after winning the Bundesliga title in 1990-91 they donned their new shirts in 1991-92 and sank to fifth in the league.

45. 1994 Hull City Home

Made by: Matchwinner

If the Cincinnatti Bengals had a real football team, this would be their kit. Hull City looked like a pack of tigers running around the pitch with these bad boys. Rawrrrr.

44. 2000 West Ham United Home

Made by: Fila

The unique color combo is a West Ham staple, and the actual design of this jersey is not all that remarkable. No, the great part is that this jersey was made by Fila! Not known for their soccer sponsorships, Fila is much better known to American sports fans as the company repped by Grant Hill and Jerry Stackhouse in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They do still occasionally make soccer jerseys, sponsoring several lower division English teams this season.

43. 1996 Newcastle United Home

Made by: adidas

Anytime you can integrate beer onto the jersey, you've got something special. Newcastle Brown Ale sponsored their hometown team for many years, and on the kit in 1996, adidas added a throwback-style, button-up collar that, if anything else, added a unique element to the prison-style shirt. The fundamental design of the jersey has not changed since a few years after the club's inception in 1892, making it one of the oldest designs in all of world football.

42. 1997 Celtic United Home

Made by: Umbro

Another tradition-rich team that doesn't really ever change the design of their home jerseys, Scotland's Celtic FC has one of the most classic looks in world football. The horizontal green and white stripes have been a staple of their kits for almost 100 years, and the collar gives this one a classic look. Also underrated is the ring of Umbro logos around the cuffs on the sleeves, an act of shameless advertising which nowadays brings up only nostalgia rather than resentment.

41. 2011 Kaizer Chiefs Home

Made by: Nike

Their name may sound German, but the Kaizer Chiefs play in Johannesburg, South Africa. The bumblebee-esque design is actually meant to evoke an image of a sunrise, which at the time symbolized a "new dawn" for the club. The 100 percent recycled, Nike-designed jerseys helped them to only a 5th place finish in the league, though, not quite the result they had been hoping for.

40. 1994 United States Away

Made by: adidas

Bonus points to adidas for creating synergy between the two 1994 USA World Cup jerseys; there was both the "stars" (home) version, and this one here was known as "stripes." Why are the vertical lines waving, you ask? Because the flag is billowing in the wind of course! Pure genius.

39. 1998 Croatia Home

Made by: Lotto

On their memorable run to the third place in the 1998 World Cup, Croatia turned heads with their red and white checkerboard jerseys. The Lotto-designed shirts were meant to look very similar to the coat of arms on the nation's flag, which was a great source of national pride after gaining their independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.

38. 2012 United States Home

Made by: Nike

Better known as the, "Where's Waldo" kit, Nike's design for the 2012 USMNT shirt was genius. We love the use of the red, white, and blue for the color scheme, and the play on the stripes from the American flag around the entirety of the kit. Uncle Sam's army should be proud to go to battle rocking this armor, and we're proud to rock it, too.

37. 2011 Napoli Home

Made by: Macron

The Italian designers, Macron Sportswear, have been keeping it real since they launched in 1971. Their designs are very neat and fitting, and this shirt they enginered for Napoli in 2011 is clearly no exception to the rule. They kept it simple by using Napoli's blue color as the entire base of the shirt, while placing white accents tastefully. We love the collar opening, as well.

36. 2013 Seattle Sounders Away

Made by: adidas

What, did you really think we'd leave MLS entirely out of the conversation of best kits? adidas nailed it with their latest design for the team from the Emerald City. The color scheme stays true to the Seattle routes, yet shows enough design and detail to be a top-notch kit by any standards. The Sounders are known for their great support, and we're certain their fan base will be clamoring to get their hands on these little numbers.

35. 2013 Portugal Away

Made by: Nike

Let's face it folks, black is sleek no matter what the occasion. This shirt, designed by Nike for the country that has raised such icons as Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo, and Eusebio, is everything one could want in a national team jersey. The idea of taking the crest of Portugal and putting it across the entire length of the shirt is a great tribute to the soccer power, and to football fashion. Let's just hope Portugal doesn't miss out on Brazil 2014.

34. 2006 Liverpool Away

Made by: adidas

The purpose of rocking a football shirt for fashion should be to stand out, and you will certainly do that if you're lucky enough to get your hands on this one from 2006. Adidas killed it with their all yellow base and Liverpool red accents to highlight the iconic three stripes and logo. The good 'ol days, when Carlsberg was the Reds main sponsor, and Champions League football was a regularity.

33. 2011 Werder Bremen Away

Made by: Nike

Once again, Nike nailed it with their design for the Bundesliga side. The transitioning of the orange to green is absolutely awesome, and the slightly swooped collar provides a nice touch of uniqueness to the kit. We'd be more than happy to throw this one on while hanging out at the bar, or playing a little footie in the park.

32. 2011 Juventus Away

Made by: Nike

We are talking about the fashion capital of Europe here, right? This kit for the Old Lady is so deliciously Italian in its design that we had to give it props. The pink and black color scheme is a great start to the shirt, and the black silhouette of a star knocks this one out of the park. Bravo, Nike. Bravo.

31. 2011 Marseille Home

Made by: adidas

This 2011 kit for the former French champions is class in every sense of the word. The gold M for Marseille on the right chest area is a brilliant standout on the white and light blue background of the shirt. Once again, adidas maintains their branding, without throwing it in our faces, with the three light blue stripes running along the sleeves. The slight collar at the neck, and the v-neck swoop, are both very nice touches. They may have finished 10th in the league that year, but at least they looked good out there, right?

30. 2011 AC Milan Home

Made By: adidas

There hasn't been a ton of variation on the Milan first kits over the past five or so years, but this one from 2011 just rubs us the right way. It does a great job of paying homage to the iconic black and red of the Rossoneri, and adidas maintains their iconic branding with the three white stripes running down the sleeves.

29. 1966 England Away

Made by: Umbro

Iconic for it's simplicity, as well as it is a symbol of greatness, this shirt was made famous by the Three Lions during their lone World Cup victory. Few will forget the images of Alf Ramsey guiding England to the 4-2 victory over West Germany in the final, and looking great in the process. Simple, yet sophisticated, that's that shit we do like.

28. 1992 Arsenal Away

Made by: adidas

Okay, so maybe we're just suckers for the tribal print. This shirt, worn by the Gunners when they hit the road during the 1992 season, is everything collectors should be looking for in a retro jersey. Adidas may have only manufactured Arsenal's shirts from 1986-1994, but this one stands out among the best in the club's history.

27. 1997 Borussia Dortmund Home

Made by: Nike

Over the years, the black and yellow of Borussia Dortmund has become an iconic symbol of the German giants. This particular kit was donned by player and fan alike during the squad's run up to hoisting the 1997 European Cup. This kit combines the uniqueness of Dortmund, with the kitch of Nike Football.

26. 2007 Barcelona Home

Made by: Nike

We like this one from Nike for a few reasons. We love the design of keeping the classic blue and maroon stripes, which have come to represent Barcelona for so many years, as the base of the shirt. We love the insignia around the club crest that pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Camp Nou, Barca's legendary home ground. Throw in the yellow trimmings at the base and the sleeves, and you've got yourself one of the best shirts in the history of the club.

25. 1994 Fiorentina Home

Made by: Uhlsport

We don't understand the weird oriental motif going on here, but that doesn't mean we dislike it. The more strange disconnected patterns, the better! The dotted purple/violet/white collar and sleeves are again, weird and different, but they work. 1994 was Fiorentina's first season back in Serie A after relegation in 1993, so they had to do something crazy to get noticed again, right?

24. 1974 Netherlands Home

Made by: adidas

The Dutch are still trying to figure out how their Totaalvoetbal lost to West Germany in the 1974 World Cup Finals. The best Dutch team ever also sported the country's best national kit. The original KNVB lion boldly stands out against an orange base, and adidas' three black stripes on the sleeve provided subtle branding.

23. 2007 Manchester United Home

Made by: Nike

While the previous season's home kits featured white lining, a white collar, and white trimmed sleeves, Nike vanquished all of that for the Red Devil's 2007 kits. White logos restored needed constrast to the shirt, and a crew neck replaced 2006's v-neck monsters. A fiercesome red shirt for one of Manchester United's best 21st century teams. That season, they won the Premiership and the European Cup, and Cristiano Ronaldo scored 42 goals.

22. 1992 Manchester United Home

Made by: Umbro

We may be in the minority here, but we think the hockey style lace-up collar is aesthetically cool. Practically speaking, there probably aren't any advantages. Sure, a player can loosen up the collar if they feel restrainted or hot, but while playing, those laces are just another way for an opponent to impede/grab onto you without the ref noticing. Can't front on the stylized MUFC print across the shirt though. United won the league that season, but the laced collar didn't survive beyond the year.

21. 2013 Roma Home

Made by: Roma

For like the first time in the history of modern professional sports, a team actually doesn't have a company paying them to make their jerseys. Roma recently dropped Kappa after a dispute over quality and distribution issues, and were left without a manufacturer for the 2013-2014 season (their new contract with Nike doesn't start until next season). Roma decided to go the indie route and make their own shirts, and they look pretty damn good. They're nearing golf polo terrirtory, but the maroon and orange trim on the collar and sleeves was a sharp choice. The numerals MCMXXVII (1927, the year Roma was founded) appear on the back of the collar, giving the kit dope detailing. Roma have started the season unbeaten in their new and unbranded shirt.

20. 1967 Arsenal Home

Made by: N/A

For Arsenal, simplicity rules. This shirt is understated, yet bold at the same time. 1967 was the first time the legendary artillery stamp made the shirt, and it was placed to neatly rest above the heart. There's no overly graphic club crest or sponsorship logo to complicate matters. Just a detailed cannon sewn on and proper red and white trimmings.

19. 2008 Bayern Munich Home

Made by: adidas

Bayern Munich have had their share of great looking home shirts, but adidas killed it here with the thick red and white horizontal stripes. We've seen plenty of Bayern home shirts with vertical stripes, but the change in 2008 to horizontal ones were well received. Bayern finished 2nd in the Bundesliga that season, but fans will surely remember watching the Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose partnership up top, as they combined for 34 goals.

18. 2009 Spain Home

Made by: adidas

The world's best soccer country had one of the world's best kits in 2009. The gold accents on La Roja's shirt alludes to the country's flag, the nation's royal family, and their status as the Kings of global soccer. The black and gold sweeping curve on the right side of the shirt, however, is what really separates this kit from the competition. The way the gold trimmed collar extends down with the black curve before tapering off provides a terrific contrast in colors. Great shirt for a great national team.

17. 2013 PSG Home

Made by: Nike

Best use of the French Tricolore ever. It's as close as you can get to wearing the French flag without actually wrapping yourself in it and taking a bite out of a baguette. Hats off to Nike for a brilliant redesign of PSG's home kit, and for creating what should become a modern club classic.

16. 2010 Netherlands Away

Made by: Nike

Although orange is the standard color for KNVB, Nike decided to incorporate the red, white, and blue horizontal stripes of the Dutch flag for the country's 2010 away World Cup kit. The red and blue v-shaped lines accentuate the wearer's torso, making already huge players like Klaas Jan-Huntelaar look even bigger. The Oranje wore this kit all the way to the World Cup Finals before losing to Spain.

15. 2012 Ajax Home

Made by: adidas

Ajax's shirt design hasn't changed much over the past few decades, and rightfully so. It's a classic shirt, and it only needs tweaking year-to-year just to get the fans to buy a "new and different" kit. Last year's iteration might've been the best in the club's history. It's all in the details. The image of the Greek God Ajax was superimposed on the front of the shirt in a subtle, yet effective way, while the classic trimmings of an Ajax home kit remained.

14. 2009 Manchester City Alternate

Made by: Umbro

Manchester City traditionally have one white kit, and their 2009 version was by far their best. A modern variation of their sash design, the red and black colors looked sharp. Manchester City were sharp on the pitch too. They improved their league position from 10th to 5th, and new signing Carlos Tevez bagged 29 goals in all competitions.

13. 1964 Liverpool Home

Made by: N/A

When Bill Shankly said that he wanted to turn Liverpool into a "bastion of invincibility," he wasn't just concerned with the players on the pitch. He wanted that mentality reflected in all areas, including the club's uniforms. That season, he decided to do away with Liverpool's white socks and shorts, instead opting to dress his men head-to-toe in red. According to former striker Ian St. John, "Shankly thought the colour scheme would carry psychological impact - red for danger, red for power." Shanks was right: Liverpool has won 12 league titles since the kit change.

12. 2012 Valencia Third

Made by: Joma

We know this one is a little out there, but we think it's absolutely perfect for a third kit. Let's remember, we are talking about a club in Spain here, it should have some flair. We really like Joma's design of taking part of the club badge and making it the base for the entire shirt. Tell us you wouldn't rock this to a backyard barbeque in the summer.

11. 2008 Germany Home

Made by: adidas

German fans weren't pleased that they lost to Spain in the Euro 2008 Finals to Spain, but at least they had the best kits of the tournament. Adidas did a great job of incorporating the German flag onto the design in a literal, but graphic way.

10. 2013 Atletico Madrid Home

Made by: Nike

Look good, feel good, and play unreal? The current Atletico Madrid squad is second in La Liga, and having already qualified for the Champions League knockout stage, it's obvious Atleti is playing as good as the shirts they're rocking. Nike nailed it with their latest design on the iconic red and white of the "second" biggest team in Madrid, and we've all taken notice.

9. 2012 Cameroon Home

Made by: Puma

Puma designed pretty much all the jerseys for the African teams in 2012, and each got its own unique backdrop. For the Lions of Cameroon, they got the baddest cat on Earth superimposed on the background of the jersey. As if watching Samuel Eto'o sprinting right at you wasn't intimidating enough. The one drawback of the jersey is that it is essentially skin-tight, which means unless you're super fit it might be best to stay away from wearing this one in public and have a sense of shame.

8. 1994 United States Home

Made by: adidas

As many love to point out, the USA is not a soccer-loving nation. However, despite this lack of pedigree, the 1994 USA home jersey from the World Cup is one of the most uniquely awesome jerseys ever made. The integration of the flag and national colors while maintaining a totally unique design is one of the landmark achievements of adidas' jersey-making history, and undoubtedly was a reason the underdog Americans were able to reach the knockout stage.

7. 2005 Real Madrid Home

Made by: adidas

Real Madrid has had a long and storied history of kits, and sponsors, but we keep coming back to this one from 2005 as one of our favorites. Adidas displays its classic take on the Madrid design by going with the all white base, the three black stripes on the extra-long short-sleeves, and the small Real Madrid written on the back of the shirt at the bottom. We love the full collar design at the top, too. This one just screams class.

6. 1998 Mexico Home

Made by: ABA Sport

How fucking wild is this?! You're never going to create a killer kit with a basic green color, so why not go all out and print an Aztec's face on the front? And while you're at it, make that Aztec seem either coked-out or derranged—either one will work. For a collector of retro kits, this is either your grail or an image from your nightmares. If you can get your hands on one of these, you've just bought yourself a conversation starter for every single social event you wear this out to. Big ups to ABA Sport for contributing something meaningful to soccer society before going under/not existing on the first page of an "aba sport" Google search.

5. 1988 Arsenal Away

Made by: adidas

The intricate contrast of colors here is amazing. Red outlines the torso, sponsorship logo, and collar throughout the shirt, perfectly allowing the yellow and navy colors to play off each other. Not only that, but the Gunner's canon looks exquisite, and the canon emblazoned detailing up and down the torso adds a nice touch. Arsenal won the league in the 1988-1989 season, making yellow Arsenal kits a good idea for years to come.

4. 1982 Liverpool Home

Made by: Umbro

In the 1980s, kit sponsor Umbro decided to put thin white stripes vertically across the shirt. It's one of the most iconic kits Liverpool club history. The red keeps the club's intimidation factor there, but the thin stripes added an extra detail and some much needed balance to the overall shirt. Liverpool won seven league titles and two European cups in the 1980s, so nobody was surprised when kit supplier Warrior used this shirt as inspiration in designing Liverpool's 2013 home shirt.

3. 1970 Brazil Home

Made by: Athleta

Brazil's jersey basically doesn't change, and that's the way we like it. No matter what generation of great players, they all have donned the same yellow shirt with green trim and all command the same amount of respect on the pitch. It's such a tradition-rich shirt that to make any changes would be utter blasphemy, and it's likely that as long as there is soccer this design will remain unaltered.

2. 1988 Netherlands Home

Made by: adidas

The 1988 Netherlands team that won the Euro 1988 tournament was an absolute powerhouse, and looked absolutely dapper while dominating the competition. Marco van Basten handily took the tournament's Golden Boot as well while wearing the signature loud and proud orange of his country, scoring one of the greatest goals in the history of the tournament in the final against the Soviet Union.

1. 1990 Germany Home

Made by: adidas

Usually when a national time rocks a kit that is a play on the nation's colors, it's a good thing. In the case of the West Germany jersey from 1990, it's a great thing. When you think retro adidas kits, this is exactly what should come to mind. We wouldn't mind throwing this one on with a fresh pair of black and white Samba's. Oooh kill 'em. Did we mention West Germany won the World Cup that year, as well? Stunt 101.