Ranking the 10 Best Football Jerseys of All Time

Fashion and football have become increasingly connected in the last few decades or so, jerseys aren’t just uniforms, they’re canvases of history and legacy. But what transforms a jersey from good to legendary? Well, the answer to this is quite simple: it’s the bold design and magic of nostalgia in it. These jerseys aren’t just a symbol of a club or legacy, but a passion and raw emotion players and fans have for this sport.

The best football jersey don’t just hang in the lockers or on the walls, but some are so precious that they’re hanging in certain museums. Think of iconic Brazil’s sunshine yellow worn by many legends of the game, or the Netherlands’ orange masterpiece: these jerseys transcended fabric, turning players into icons, devoted by fans.

In this article, we’ve a tough task that nearly broke us, it’s given as there are so many authentic classics to pick from. Some jerseys that might not be bona fide beauties can be classified as legendary, just like some smooth ones can be completely forgotten over time. From Arsenal to Nigeria’s home kit, find out who made it to our list. Enough said, here are the top 10 best soccer jerseys of all time, Sportsdunia considers.

Ranking Factors

Design: The primary factor while considering and ranking the best soccer jerseys is the design. Does the colour scheme work, and its patterns balanced or not.

Legacy: The second factor, while compiling this list, was the legacy behind the best football club jersey, from legendary win streaks to career-defining performances.

Nostalgia Factor: The third parameter we considered is the nostalgia factor behind the best football jersey. Does it evoke goosebumps when fans see it, or how much fans still love it?

Cultural Impact: The last parameter we considered while ranking the best football jersey is the cultural resonance. Did it sell out immediately or instantly? Is it still replicated today?

Top 10 Best Football Club Jersey

10. Brazil

The 1970 Brazil home kit wasn’t just a kit, it’s an emotion for all football fans. This jersey was worn by one of the greatest footballers, Pele, alongside Jairzinho and Carlos Alberto during their infamous World Cup triumph. Unlike other football jerseys in this list, the 1970 Brazil home kit was a pure class with a simple, plain design, rejecting any flashy patterns, making it the best football jersey.

This Brazil home kit was unlike others seen nowadays, as it was without any sponsor logos clustering at the front. The famous Jogo Bonito, which Brazilian football is famous for, was displayed. This jersey’s simplicity made it globally mimicked, but nobody could replicate it.

9. AC Milan Home Kit

At the ninth position on our list of the best football club jersey, we have the masterpiece of AC Milan’s 1988-98 season home kit. This Rossoneri jersey with bold vertical stripes perfectly complements the blank and red colour combination. Legends like Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Paolo Maldini, and many more donned this iconic masterpiece of a jersey.

Introduced during the dominant era of AC Milan under Sacchi, this jersey soon became synonymous with innovation and elegance. Even today, designers consider this jersey as one of the best soccer jerseys of all time.

8. Inter Milan Third Kit

In eighth position, we have Inter Milan’s third kit that they wore during the 1997-98 season. This jersey had a unique blend of black and grey horizontal stripes, almost similar to or identical to their home kit with blue and black vertical stripes. Nike has tried to replicate this several times, though their ’98 season’s vintage jersey remains the best.

But what truly cemented this jersey’s legacy was the bridge that connected the different eras into one. Ronaldo Nazario had a crazy debut season for Inter, scoring 35 goals and winning the UEFA Cup.

7. Club America Home Kit

In 7th position, we have Club America’s 1994-95 season home kit. We could have gone to any of the clubs, as 1994 was filled with adidas templates and almost each was as good as this. Unlike others, this jersey was simply eye-catching with a yellow base and a unique pattern. With the ‘Coca-Cola’ logo gleaming in red in the middle makes this jersey one of the best jersey in history.

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6. Arsenal Home Kit

Arsenal’s 2005-06 season home kit was something way ahead of its time. The deep burgundy colour with brand logo gleaming in gold at the centre, just below the club crest, makes it one of the best soccer jerseys of all time. This jersey was worn during the emotional farewell to Highbury Stadium. Thierry Henry scored a hat-trick at the iconic ground in this jersey.

Nike’s designer struck gold by blending nostalgia with modernity. The richer and darker colour symbolised the weight of Arsenal’s legacy, while the sleek fit kept it at bay during the 2000s. Many fans rate this jersey as high as their ‘Invincibles’ season jersey.

5. Barcelona Home Kit

FC Barcelona‘s 2010-11 season home kit rewrote the rules of football branding. The jersey designer’s brilliance was notable in the jersey’s restraint. The classic blue and red stripes remained, but for the first time, the jersey bore the UNICEF logo instead of a corporate sponsor. Paired with matching shorts and socks, this jersey created a seamless, iconic form.

This kit became a club symbol after Barcelona lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy that year, making this jersey one of the best football jerseys in the history of the sport.

4. Juventus Home Kit

In the fourth place on our list, we have the mesmerising Juventus home kit during their 2017-18 season. The iconic black and white stripes design captured the hearts of fans. With the Jeep logo at the centre and the new club’s logo at top left made it one of the best football jersey in the world. Although the critics called it disrespectful towards the legacy, this jersey had what was needed to succeed at the global stage, and soon, sales soared.

Many might argue and say this jersey wasn’t that impressive or didn’t have anything new in it. But the fact that football fans loved the concept and design of this jersey proves every critic wrong.

Also Read: Ranking The 10 Best AC Milan Players of All Time

3. West Germany Home Kit

In third position on our list of best soccer jerseys, we have West Germany’s Home Kit that they wore during the 1998-00. Although a similar patterned jersey was worn during the Euro 1988, this one remains the best. This jersey had a minimalist design with a geometric pattern at the top, while the bottom remained plain white.

Legendary players like Lothar Matthaus, Jurgen Kohler, and Andreas Brehme donned this iconic jersey. Germany tried replicating the same jersey with a reverse pattern on it, but failed miserably as they were knocked out in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

2. Netherlands Home Kit

No country has ever experimented or dared to be different as the Netherlands has in the history of this sport. The Dutch side wore an electric orange with unique patterns during their 1988 Euro-winning campaign. For the fans who might be missing what we are talking about here. Van Basten scored the sensational volley in the final? Yes, and that happened in this kit, which makes this jersey even more impressive.

This kit changed the norms as it was tailored fit, which broke the traditional boxy 80s norms, making it one of the best soccer jerseys. We might not see many jerseys or replicas like this ever.

1. Nigeria Home Kit

In the first position on our list, we have Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup kit. Nigeria came with a banger of a kit at the biggest stage in football, with a glossy neon green alongside jagged black geometric sleeves. This pattern was inspired by their traditional Igbo pattern, which makes this one of the best soccer jerseys. Fans had to queue for hours just to buy it, and even FIFA had to work hard to restock it.

The sleeves are reminiscent of the Nigerian body-painting rituals, local artistry, while the bold neon colour screams confidence and boldness. The nation was radiating green when Ahmed Musa scored twice against Iceland.

List of 10 Best Football Jerseys of All Time

Rank	Jersey	Year
1	Nigeria Home Kit	2018
2	Netherlands	1988
3	West Germany	1998-00
4	Juventus Home Kit	2017-18
5	Barcelona Home Kit	2010-11
6	Arsenal Home Kit	2005-06
7	Club America Kit	1994-95
8	Inter Milan Home Kit	1997-98
9	AC Milan Home Kit	1988-89
10	Brazil Home Kit	1970

Also Read: Ranking the 10 Biggest Football Clubs in the World

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