Julien Laurens’ Top 10 Football Shirts
Julien Laurens recently visited Classic Football Shirts in London to discuss his favorite football kits of all time, showcasing the evolution of iconic football designs since the year 2000.
While the 1990s are often celebrated for their classic retro football shirts, the 21st century has also seen the introduction of many memorable kits. Each season, clubs are increasingly releasing multiple designs; for instance, Manchester City wore a remarkable nine different kits during the 2025 season.
As 2025 draws to a close, we have curated a list of 25 outstanding kits released by some of the top clubs around the globe, in collaboration with ESPN editors worldwide.
Note that this list excludes reissues and overt throwback designs, such as Arsenal’s “bruised banana” away shirt from the 2019-20 season, as well as special-edition kits and novelty designs.
Here’s an alphabetical rundown of some of the most remarkable kits from the last few years:
1. AC Milan Home, 2000-02 (Adidas)
AC Milan started the new millennium in a striking kit featuring their recognizable red and black stripes, though the team experienced a challenging period without securing any titles while donning this shirt.
2. Ajax Away, 2022-23 (Adidas)
Ajax revealed an elegant deep blue away kit sprinkled with gold and red details. Inspired by Amsterdam’s coat of arms, it became another standout design despite the club’s disappointing trophy drought.
3. Arsenal Home, 2005-06 (Nike)
Arsenal’s last season at Highbury saw them don a classy deep red shirt reminiscent of their early 1900s kit. With notable gold accents, this kit epitomized the club’s history and elegance as they reached the UEFA Champions League final.
4. Barcelona Home, 2010-11 (Nike)
Widely regarded as one of Barcelona’s finest kits, the sleek design was sported by one of the club’s greatest teams, featuring simple stripes and a yellow trim, leading them to significant victories in LaLiga and the Champions League.
5. Bayern Munich Away, 2021-22 (Adidas)
Bayern Munich’s away kit was regal in black with eye-catching gold accents. Its sophisticated design was complemented by carefully detailed features, including the emblem symbolizing Munich.
6. Boca Juniors Home, 2001-02 (Nike)
Boca Juniors’ signature blue and gold shirt, a favorite among football fans, peaked in quality with the 2001-02 edition that displayed a centrally placed crest and striking designs.
7. Brisbane Roar Away, 2024-25 (Cikers)
Celebrating their 20th anniversary, Brisbane Roar’s away kit featured a unique off-white and maroon checkerboard pattern, reflecting the spirit of Queensland.
8. Cerezo Osaka Home, 1999-2000 (Mizuno)
Cerezo Osaka’s vibrant neon pink and navy striped shirt exemplifies bold 1990s design trends, earning its place among the most sought-after kits in J.League history.
9. Club América Home, 2025-26 (Adidas)
Known for its striking designs, Club América’s 2025-26 home kit showcases a modern interpretation of their traditional colors, perfect for fans of distinctive football apparel.
10. Corinthians Third, 2018-19 (Nike)
In tribute to F1 legend Ayrton Senna, Corinthians launched a striking third kit adorned with gold accents and his signature, celebrating his passion for the club.
11. Flamengo Home, 2018 (Adidas)
Flamengo’s home kit featured their iconic club crest atop a beautifully hoop-patterned jersey, showcasing intricate design details that added to its overall aesthetic appeal.
12. Inter Milan Third, 2019-20 (Nike)
Inter’s third kit featured a stunning black and yellow design, drawing inspiration from their long-standing sponsor, Pirelli, while being noted for its sophisticated and elegant appeal.
13. Juventus Third, 2024-25 (Adidas)
The Juventus third kit incorporated a lunar-inspired theme with deep blue and gold elements, featuring a classic symbol replaced by a silhouette from the club’s earlier decades.
14. Liverpool Third, 2021-22 (Nike)
Liverpool’s away kit, with its creamy color and stylish details, resonated with fans as they pursued both domestic and European titles that season.
15. Mamelodi Sundowns Away, 2021-22 (Puma)
Mamelodi Sundowns’ away kit beautifully combined traditional patterns with vibrant colors, evoking imagery of dynamic sunsets in South Africa.
16. Manchester City Third, 2009-11 (Umbro)
Bringing back a classic design, Manchester City’s red and black sash shirt from 2009 to 2011 played a significant role in revitalizing the club’s fortunes.
17. Manchester United Third, 2024-25 (Adidas)
Manchester United’s third kit from 2024-25 featured bold colors and a design inspired by fan enthusiasm, effectively capturing the spirit of the club.
18. Palermo Home, 2014-15 (Joma)
Palermo’s signature rose-colored home kit from 2014-15, with its elegant trims, showcased the aesthetic appeal despite a less-than-stellar season.
19. Paris Saint-Germain Home, 2001-02 (Nike)
PSG’s iconic home kit of 2001-02 exemplified simplicity, showcasing their distinct color palette and earning acclaim as the club began its rise to success.
20. Pumas UNAM Home, 2016-17 (Nike)
Pumas UNAM’s gold and blue shirts gained some standout artistry in 2016-17, featuring a historic design that celebrated cultural heritage.
21. Real Madrid Home, 2021-22 (Adidas)
Real Madrid’s 2021-22 “lucky orange” kit combined vibrant colors, taking inspiration from the city’s landmarks as they clinched titles once again.
22. River Plate Home, 2000-02 (Adidas)
River Plate’s home kit encapsulated timeless elegance with its simple yet striking design that fans still admire today.
23. Roma Third, 2019-20 (Nike)
Roma’s third kit maintained its popularity with a rich color palette and intricate logo designs contributing to its lasting charm.
24. Seattle Sounders Home, 2024-25 (Adidas)
The Seattle Sounders celebrated their history with a retro-inspired kit for 2024-25, merging colors and styles from different decades.
25. Vissel Kobe Home, 2020 (Asics)
Vissel Kobe embraced vibrant designs with a harlequin-patterned kit in 2020 that became a visual highlight with notable players, contributing to their historic success.
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