Football
Most Iconic Football Jerseys Ever!
Football kits are more than just uniforms; they represent eras we adore, inspire nostalgia that lights up our minds, and sometimes even become cultural icons that any football fan would wear without hesitation. While some jerseys on our list are remembered for their unique designs, others are forever married with legendary players who etched their names in football heritage as well as unforgettable moments in the history of the game. Here’s our list of the best football jerseys in history.
French player Zinedine Zidane, holding the world Cup trophy//Getty Images
Top 10 Best Football Jerseys in History
| Rank | Jersey | Era/Year | Notable Player(s) | Reason for Iconic Status |
| 1 | Brazil Home Kit | 1970 | Pele, Jairzinho | Worn during Brazil’s legendary World Cup win and symbol of footballing excellence. |
| 2 | Netherlands Home Kit | 1988 | Dennis Bergkamp, Edgar Davids | A bold take on the iconic orange, featuring sharp black trim worn at the 1998 World Cup. |
| 3 | West Germany Home Kit | 1990 | Lothar Matthaus | Featuring the German flag across the chest, worn during the 1990 World Cup win. |
| 4 | Denmark Away Kit | 1986 | Michael Laurdrup | Half-and-half red and white Hummel design with signature chevrons from the ‘86 WC. |
| 5 | AC Milan Home Kit | 1988-90 | Marco van Basten, Franco Baresi | Classic red-and-black stripes representing Milan's European dominance. |
| 6 | Mexico Home Kit | 1998 | Cuauhtemoc Blanco | Iconic green kit with Aztec calendar design, a standout of the 1998 World Cup. |
| 7 | Fiorentina Home Kit | 1997-99 | Gabriel Batistuta | Purple kit with Nintendo sponsor, a cult classic among Serie A fans. |
| 8 | Argentina Home Kit | 1986 | Diego Maradona | Worn during Maradona's legendary World Cup campaign. |
| 9 | Arsenal Away Kit | 1991-93 | Ian Wright | The 'bruised banana' zigzag design – once mocked, now revered. |
| 10 | France Home Kit | 1998 | Zinedine Zidane | Deep blue jersey with red/white accents worn in their historic 1998 WC win. |
1. Brazil Home Kit – 1970
Pele and Jairzinho became legends while playing in Brazil's 1970 World Cup home kit which many believe reached the ultimate level of football style while delivering top performances.
The stylish design of the yellow jersey with green details matched the Brazilian team's way of playing football during the tournament. Brazil achieved their third World Cup victory in 1970 establishing their position as the global football champions. Pele's images captured in that jersey created eternal icons for the beautiful game which made the kit take status as a worldwide symbol.
2. Netherlands Home Kit – 1988
The 1988 Dutch national team uniform made in orange garners the most iconic status in Dutch football heritage. The late 1980s introduced this radical design first to the football stage through players Dennis Bergkamp and Edgar Davids but who continued wearing similar design choices at the 1998 World Cup.
The jersey presented a state-of-the-art design through its contemporary geometric pattern, together with its black-edge trim, which made it both modernist and uniquely Dutch. The Netherlands raised its status as a championship winner through winning the 1988 European Championship while wearing this impressive kit.
3. West Germany Home Kit – 1990
This kit brought West Germany to its World Cup victory in 1990 while its white-coloured design showcased the distinct German flag stripes running across the front. During his captaincy, Lothar Matthaus led the squad to victory while the minimalist patriotic design has maintained its status as a classic among football fans. The kit continues to be a popular classic, and contemporary designs sometimes mimic its style.
4. Denmark Away Kit – 1986
Hummel created a radical approach by combining the Denmark 1986 away kit with matching white and red colours on separate sides and distinctive chevrons on the shoulders.
During the 1986 World Cup attractive Danish football showed Michael Laudrup being one of their best international players while playing a distinctive half-red and half-white kit. This distinctive design combination made it both a legendary favourite limited edition among collectors and a trendsetting piece for retro enthusiasts.
Notable Mentions
Nigeria Home Kit (2018) – Feather-inspired green-and-white design that sold out globally.
Manchester United Home Kit (2007/08) – Worn by Cristiano Ronaldo during a legendary double-winning season (Premier League & Champions League).
Liverpool Home Kit (1984) – The classic Carlsberg era. Featuring a rich red design with white and green accents, this jersey remains one of Liverpool’s most beloved.
Juventus Away Kit (1995-96) – Bold blue with yellow stars, worn during their Champions League victory over Ajax Amsterdam.
Barcelona Home Kit (2008/09) – The treble-winning season under Pep Guardiola, worn by Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, and Andreas Iniesta.
These kits stood out not just for how they looked, but for the unforgettable moments and players behind them. These are the kinds of shirts that don’t just represent a team – they become part of football history.
The Brazil 1970 home jersey is revered by many as the most iconic football kit of all time. Even today, you’ll find young players trying to capture the same flair and freedom it represents. The canary yellow with green trim stood out unlike what fans had seen before. Pele, Jairzinho, and Tostao brought the jersey to life with fast, skilful, and imaginative play. One reason for the jersey's lasting fame is that the 1970 World Cup was the first ever broadcast in colour. That broadcast helped those golden shirts stick in the minds of people. It captured moments of joy, flair, and memories that stick with you – the part about football that fans adore.
The Netherlands’ 1988 home kit brought a fresh take on football fashion. Adidas gave the classic Dutch orange a fresh look in 1988, adding a geometric pattern that turned heads and stood out from previous designs. It wasn't just a stylish choice – it became part of football history. Worn as the Dutch won their first major international trophy at Euro ’88, the shirt was on full display when Marco van Basten scored his unforgettable volley in the final. Though later teams wore similar styles, it’s the 1988 edition that set the benchmark for daring, memorable kit design.
Rounding out the top three is the West Germany home kit from the 1990 World Cup, which took the classic white base and transformed it with a unique, horizontal band of the German flag – black, red, and gold – that sliced through the chest in a sharp, far more modern style than what the football world was accustomed to.
It became the symbol of a united squad led by captain and midfielder Lothar Matthaus, who guided the Germans to victory over Argentina in the final. The major impact of the kit was due to the ties of political change in Germany. The kit has become a visual marker of both sporting and national achievement. To this day, its design continues to influence modern Germany shirts, with echoes of that iconic flag stripe still appearing in new releases.
From the golden brilliance of Brazil’s 1970 triumph to the daring modern flair of Nigeria’s 2018 kit, football jerseys tell stories that go far beyond the pitch. They capture generations, celebrate culture, and immortalize footballing legends. Whether it’s a zigzagged 'bruised banana' or a Nintendo-sponsored purple masterpiece, these kits continue to live on in the hearts of fans across the globe. This list serves as a tribute to the shirts that didn’t just clothe champions – they became icons in their own right.
Joshua Gaillard is a freelance editor and dedicated Arsenal fan, known for creating fact-based, insightful content. His work, featured on top South African websites, blends analysis with engaging storytelling for clear, impactful articles.