Football looks to the past. And at Retrofootball, we’re delighted, as we’ve been pioneers since early 2007 in reviving the memory of football clubs’ retro shirts.

This season, 2025/2026, will mark a turning point with the first LaLiga and Spanish Second Division Retro Matchday, an initiative that will see 38 Spanish clubs compete in retro football shirts inspired by their most iconic kits from the past. The world of football is aligning with our vision, and retro shirts are taking on an increasingly prominent role in football clubs.

This move, beyond mere aesthetics or a commercial gesture, reveals something much deeper: the past has become a moral benchmark for football and also one of the most valuable assets of the beautiful game.

What we started 20 years ago at Retrofootball, with our adventurous spirit in those early days, something that was a micro-niche, is now reaching the general public and is here to stay.



A matchday to relive history… and bring it to life

On matchday 31, teams from Spain’s First and Second Divisions will take to the pitch wearing reimagined versions of their historic football shirts.

But the initiative isn’t just about swapping one shirt for another, or taking us back to a nostalgic, unchanging past. The aim is clear: to transform the clubs’ legacy into an experience for the fans.

To this end, the initiative includes:

   - redesigned vintage shirts
   - retro-style match balls
   - television graphics inspired by bygone eras
   - a comprehensive narrative centred on history

A complete experience for fans who are so eager for football stories, so passionate about the values of the sport, and so excited by their legendary players..

The rise of retro football jerseys: community and a sense of belonging

Over the past 20 years at RETROFOOTBALL, we have witnessed how the football kit market has evolved. We have seen how, little by little, retro football jerseys have gone from being a niche product to becoming:

   - collector’s items
   - fashion items
   - symbols of identity

Fans buy the current season’s shirt because it allows them to experience their club’s present moment by emulating their modern-day idols. But in addition, in recent years, fans have become passionate about the entire world associated with football’s history, and through legendary kits they seek another way to connect with their club..  

Jersey created by Elche CF in the 1990s for the Spanish LaLiga’s Retro Matchday

This renewed interest in the club’s history means that collections of retro jerseys  create a very special emotional bond. They foster a stronger intergenerational connection, promoting a sense of pride in belonging through legends of the past.

Many younger fans admit that they were unaware their clubs already had foreign players as far back as the 20th century.

Retro football shirts also help to strengthen the connection between the local and global communities. 

Perhaps there is something lacking in the current state of football that makes us all want to return to the past, and not merely out of a sense of vintage nostalgia. That would seem too simplistic. But let’s leave that analysis to the sociologists.  

Ultimately, the best symbol of belonging to a club, where this sense of belonging is most embodied, is in our teams’ football shirts; they are like a second skin.  They always come with an added bonus: a history that can be worn and collected.




The controversy: the absence of the big clubs

However, not all clubs have decided to join this initiative; among them are Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, who have chosen not to participate fully.

The reasons given are purely commercial, mainly due to restrictions with their kit sponsors and strict control over their product lines. However, at the last minute, FC Barcelona has released a retro shirt worn by the legendary Ronaldinho. But it seems they do not have a player to wear it for the retro matchday.  

Ronaldinho Barcelona FC retro shirt – Source: 365scores

This decision raises an interesting point:

The biggest clubs are not always the quickest to explore new football experiences and possibilities, thus leaving room for other clubs to lead the way in this new territory.



An advantage for clubs with identity

Retro Day highlights something fundamental: clubs that have nurtured and continue to nurture their history, identity and community have a huge advantage. Since their history contains everything they need to inspire fans and members. 

Furthermore, they treasure something in their history that is very important in today’s football world: authenticity. They do not need to create artificial marketing narratives, something that consumers recognise as false, empty and superficial posturing. Football fans are becoming increasingly discerning. 

If clubs cherish and preserve their legends, if they have authenticity, they simply need to revive their legacy. In our experience at Retrofootball, this connects directly with fans in a genuine way. And this applies to both local... and global fans.


From a one-off initiative to a new source of revenue for clubs

We also know that clubs cannot survive on enthusiasm alone; behind every project, revenue must be generated in order to grow and retain the best players. And we believe that this campaign presents a clear opportunity for all clubs wishing to revive their past:

This boom in retro football kits is not just the flash in the pan of a one-off campaign.  Gradually, as we have mentioned, they have become a new product category.

And this is because they offer:

    - attractive margins
    - high emotional demand
    - they complement the official seasonal kit whilst standing out.

This last point is very important.  We have advised the clubs we have worked with that the retro/vintage range should never compete with the current season’s shirt. They are complementary shirts, and fans have told us the different occasions on which they wear them.

Furthermore, they have a key feature: collectability. Many members and fans keep them in pristine condition, because they realise that a retro shirt is irreplaceable and therefore it is important to preserve it.

Many of our customers know that a vintage shirt goes on sale today, and once the collection sells out, it may be a long time before they get another chance to get their hands on one. 

For all these reasons, vintage/retro football shirts are much more than just merchandise; they have gradually become cult items.

 

In conclusion: the vintage range is a great opportunity for all clubs

In conclusion, what the organisation of this LaLiga Retro Day is teaching us leaves us with three key lessons:

1.    Retro is no longer a trend; it is a market
2.    Mid-sized clubs have a strategic opportunity
3.    Authenticity is one of the most valuable assets in modern football

And as every club has its own history, its iconic moments, its unforgettable kits and its generations of fans, the difference lies in who decides to bring it to life.

At Retrofootball, we help clubs make this a reality:

•        we research and recreate historical designs with precision
•        we produce premium shirts with vintage finishes
•        we deliver collections ready to be launched, sold and scaled

No fuss. No risk. Real impact.

A good example of how to launch retro capsule collections is Atlético de Madrid, which has been releasing retro collections that thrill fans for over five years now. One iconic design is the shirt worn by club legend Paulo Futre upon his arrival at the club. 

Paolo Futre - Atletico Madrid

RETROFOOTBALL pioneers: examples

At RETROFOOTBALL, we have created retro collections for Elche CF and UD Salamanca, both Spanish teams, AC Fiorentina and Sassari Torres from Italy, and other teams from semi-professional leagues in Switzerland and Germany.  

The Elche CF vintage range we produced, inspired by the 1995–96 season, was a huge hit on social media. Launched on 7 February 2022 at 4.18 pm, the 500 available shirts sold out in just a couple of hours. The collection included, among other designs, an exclusive shirt commemorating the iconic promotion of the 1990s, featuring Lucas Boyé, and managed to become a trending topic on Twitter (now X), with fans from across the country celebrating its launch.

Lucas Boyé wearing the Elche FC shirt inspired by the 1995-96 promotion, created by Retrofootball

Elche FC shirt inspired by the 1995-96 promotion, created by Retrofootball

The 1978 AC Fiorentina kit worn by the legendary Giancarlo Antognoni, one of the finest players in the history of the Viola. The limited edition collection included a special edition of the historic AC Fiorentina shirt signed by Antognoni himself, making it a genuine collector’s item. The project was part of a promotional collaboration with Antognoni.

Giancarlo Antognoni with the 1978 AC Fiorentina commemorative shirt

Camiseta GAntognoni’s 1978 AC Fiorentina commemorative shirt

FC Develier, based in the Swiss Jura region, marked a special club anniversary with a kit inspired by 1990s aesthetics, notable for its striking visual appeal. Only 200 pieces were produced as an official classic-style item, an initiative that served to unite the club’s community and its supporters around its football history and tradition.

FC Develier 1990s retro shirt

We invite you to discover the retro experience of FC Gechingen, a small German club proud of its hundred-year history.

What if your club were next ?

The Spanish Retro Matchday is just the beginning.

Find out how to launch your retro collection, from design to marketing.

Be inspired by real-life projects and boost your revenue

Let’s talk about your club’s history and forge an emotional connection with your fans.

At RETROFOOTBALL, we’re here to help ensure that the launch of your retro football shirt merchandising line becomes a strategic asset for the club and boosts your sales, preventing it from becoming a headache for your marketing and merchandising team.

If you’d like to launch a retro collection, contact us at info[@]retrofootball.com

The centenary of Sportfreunde Gechingen (SFG) - an opportunity to relive its legends

Sportfreunde Gechingen, a football and sports club in the town of Gechingen, Germany, was preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2021.

For the club, this was not just a milestone: it was a unique opportunity to revive its history, pay tribute to generations of players, members and fans who have contributed to building the club's history, and reconnect with the essence of the club through sporting events and celebrations.

Karl Schmid in 1947

To this end, FC Gechingen decided to revive the past by launching a symbolic shirt that could represent the time that had passed, the achievements made, the passion for the club, and the energy driven by so many people, many of them volunteers, over the course of a century. The aim was to remember the past, greet the present with enthusiasm, and prepare for the future.

One club, one shirt, one passion. The skin of football, the club's signature shirt that would foster a sense of belonging. 

From idea to project: a very popular commemorative shirt with soul

SF Gechingen wanted a shirt to celebrate the club's 100th anniversary that all fans and members could identify with.

From the outset, the club was clear that it wanted the shirt to be more than just a simple merchandising product. The idea was to create a commemorative sports garment that would connect the past and the present and thrill both the club's legends and current fans.

The objective was clear: to launch a commemorative shirt that had emotional value, that members, former players and fans would not only admire but also have commercial viability and, of course, could be worn with pride or kept as a souvenir.

Choosing the historic shirt, a guarantee of authenticity

RETROFOOTBALL, specialists in celebrating and commemorating the great achievements and milestones of the past of major clubs through shirts with history, was contacted by FC GECHINGEN and we got to work.

At Retrofootball, we have always been passionate about sports fashion and the history of clubs. We know that there are always legends to relive, and we specialise in reproducing original football shirts from the past and also from recent times.

We therefore advised the club on the choice of shirt, aware of the importance of choosing which decade or moment to celebrate. We also know that rigour is key when it comes to making historic shirts: authenticity is what makes a shirt a desirable item.

From the very first contact, we undertook historical research, analysed photographs and original references, and faithfully reconstructed the design of an iconic club shirt.

SF Gechingen shared with us an early photograph from the 1950s and indicated that they wanted a similar product, but with the characteristics of the shirt worn by the German national team when they won their first World Cup in Switzerland in 1954 (the legendary Mannschaft).

Another important factor in the choice of this shirt was the reproduction of the classic crossed lacing on the collar. They also knew that the Germany shirt from the 1954 World Cup is highly valued in Germany.

Another reason for choosing this shirt was that it commemorated a legendary moment in the club's history when SF Gechingen played a friendly match against Fritz Walter, Max Morlock and company, true legends of the era.

Above is a photo of Karl Schmid in 1947 and below is a photo of the team in 1950, which allowed us to start the design phase. 

Players from bygone eras look back and recall a period in which there were players who, in many cases, played more than 500 matches with SFG. They also remember decades that were marked by extraordinary unity and camaraderie, even sacrificing their careers for the sake of staying together on the team. Several players would have had the ability to compete in one or two higher divisions, but they all chose to stay and commit themselves to the club, giving their all on the pitch.

Former goalkeeper Heinz Stark explains what was so special about those years: ‘We were a small town team competing against bigger names such as SC Stuttgart, Sindelfingen, Zuffenhausen, Urbach, or Plüdershausen, almost always in the Stuttgart area.’

In short, the chosen shirt had to bring all these emotions together. And, of course, the design of the historic shirt had to be faithful to this past. 

European production and capsule collection

With the design approved, we got to work on production in our factory. At Retrofootball, we developed a limited edition capsule collection for the club, designed and produced in Europe.

We use premium cotton, embroidered crest and vintage finishes in our manufacturing process, with a design that is faithful to the product of the era and high-quality craftsmanship.

Here is a photo of the selected design, the crest detail and the label with the club crest. 

It was also decided to produce only what the club actually needed, without producing more than necessary to avoid excess stock. 

Launch + event = sales and excitement

The shirt was presented during the official Centenary event, coinciding with an intergenerational meeting between legends, members and fans.

The result was a success because it achieved what the club's leaders and members were looking for:

- strong emotional impact
- high sales conversion
- a new source of income for the club
- a simple and well-structured operation

The results went beyond merchandising. For SF Gechingen, the shirt was not just a product; it reinforced the sense of belonging, reactivated the connection between generations and left a tangible memory of the anniversary.

Legendary SF Gechingen players wearing the Centenary Shirt

For Retrofootball, it was further confirmation that well-made retro shirts work, both emotionally and commercially.

Current and former SF Gechingen players wearing the Centenary Shirt

History of SF Gechingen 

To conclude and as a tribute to SF Gechingen, here is a brief overview of the German club.

SF Gechingen was founded on 23 April 1921 under the leadership of Paul Gehring, its first president. It began as a football club. Since then, the club's colours have been black and white.

The initial capital amounted to 10 imperial marks, which were used to purchase the first leather ball. 

In the beginning, the team played on a nearby field, and since there were not enough teams, they had to settle for playing friendly matches while waiting for regular competitions to be created. 

As the 1930s were difficult politically and financially, the team made a habit of putting on plays to improve their economic situation. This is a tradition that has been maintained.

The first official match was played in 1932 in the mixed league (Calw, Böblingen, Leonberg area).

With the Second World War and no players available, the club had to disband in 1942. After the end of the war, members and players reunited, and in 1947, the occupying forces officially authorised the re-establishment of the club. Having to change its name in 1949, by order of the occupying forces, Sportfreunde Gechingen 1921 e.V. was created. 

Although attempts were made to build a new sports ground in the early 1950s, it was not until 1961 that the land was acquired to lay the foundations for the new facility. 

In 1957, the club began to improve its performance under coach Walter Riehm and started its rise from the C category to the Württemberg 2nd Amateur League in 1969. This coincided with growing interest in other sports such as handball, table tennis and gymnastics. This led to Gechingen becoming a multi-sport club. In 1967, shooting was added, which brought the club many sporting successes, and later tennis. All this meant that fields had to be adapted for these new sports, which were added later, including swimming, badminton and volleyball.

An important moment was the conversion of the hard football pitch into a grass pitch in 1994. Two years later, on its 75th anniversary, the football team played a friendly match against the then Bundesliga team Stuttgarter Kickers, in which the ball was thrown onto the pitch by a parachutist.

In 2007, the men's football team, with coach Harald Hammer and many players from the youth academy, achieved promotion to the Württemberg regional league, where it played for two years.

Since the 2016/17 season, SFG has been participating in competitions with three active men's teams and the women's team (regional league since 2014). The second men's team was promoted to Kreisliga A in 2016 after the promotion phase, and in the same year, the first men's team was crowned Bezirksliga champions and managed to stay in the Landesliga Württemberg for the first time in the club's history for three consecutive years. 

Today, it has more than 1,500 members spread across eleven sports sections and is by far the largest association in the municipality of Gechingen. Recently, the first team has fluctuated between the top positions in the Bezirksliga and the Landesliga Württemberg (LL3).

To celebrate the centenary, members were asked to suggest names for the selection of a ‘Team of the Century’ in all categories, including goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, forwards and coach. A jury selected 50 names for the final vote.

The club looked back on its 100 years of existence as a long period marked by camaraderie and teamwork, which allowed it to grow and add new sports and, above all, enjoy the sport they love so much for many years. 

At Retrofootball, we say: 100 years is no time at all. We wish SF Gechingen a long life and many sporting successes.

***

What if your club were next?

If your football club is also celebrating an anniversary, a promotion, a historic moment, or a legendary player, at Retrofootball we turn memories into unforgettable shirts.

You already have the story. We turn it into a shirt to remember.

Paolo Rossi and Giovanni Trapattoni - Juventus in the 80s

But first, let's take a moment to look at the footballing style employed by Giovanni Trapattoni, who was a key figure during that period. His tactic was to lock the team down in defence with a conservative catenaccio style, which he had learned from Nereo Rocco at Milan and Helenio Herrera. For Trapattoni, it wasn't important to win by the smallest of margins, as long as the match was won. At Juventus, he developed a pragmatic style of football with which he dominated Italian football with unprecedented consistency, working on a clear identity: a pragmatic, competitive Juventus born to win. He created a team that was very strong in defence and very intelligent from a tactical point of view. His football did not need to shine all the time: he knew how to wait, suffer and strike at the right moment.

1976–77 AND 1977–78 SEASONS: UEFA CUP AND TWO CONSECUTIVE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The beginning of the Trapattoni era could not have started better. In the same season he took charge of the team, he won the UEFA Cup in the 1976-77 campaign, in a final against Athletic Bilbao, thus sealing the first major official European trophy for Juventus in its history. His tactics quickly bore fruit, as the team also won the Serie A championship in 1976-77, a success they repeated in the following season, 1977-78. 

Juventus wins UEFA CUP in  1977 vs Athletic Bilbao

The team also ended the 1970s by winning the Coppa Italia in the final against Palermo, after Juventus had gone fourteen seasons without winning this competition.

At the end of the 1970s, the team included some real stars who brought great joy to the fans: Claudio Gentile and Antonio Cabrini, together with Gaetano Scirea, were the brains behind the defence, with the great Dino Zoff guarding the goal. Marco Tardelli and Romeo Benetti ruled the midfield, and the two Robertos, Roberto Bettega and Roberto Boninsegna, were the offensive leaders. 

THE 1980s BEGAN WITH TWO CONSECUTIVE SERIE A TITLES

In the 1980s, the Vecchia Signora won two consecutive Italian league titles in the 1980–81 and 1981–82 seasons, earning the club its second gold star. We remind you that in Serie A, a star is awarded when a team wins 10 championships. 

This was the era when Juventus supplied players to the Italian national team that won the 1982 World Cup in Spain and also to Paolo Rossi, winner of the Ballon d'Or.

It was also the period when Irish midfielder Liam Brady, ‘Chippy’, who had joined Juventus from Arsenal in London and had been voted the best player in the English league in 1979, joined the team. However, his time at the club was short-lived, as a Frenchman was about to arrive who would make his mark on the team. And so, despite Brady's bravery in scoring the goal that gave the Bianconeri the championship title, President Boniperti let the Irishman go and welcomed Michel Platini with open arms.

JUVENTUS IN THE 1982-83 SEASON - EUROPEAN CUP FINAL 

In the 1982-83 season, the club reached the European Cup final, but Hamburg SV prevented them from winning the title thanks to a goal in the 8th minute by Felix Magath and a very close and bitter final for Juventus, which ended 1-0.

It did not help that the Old Lady had the tournament's top scorers in their ranks: Paolo Rossi and Michel Platini—who would win his first Ballon d'Or, and, we remind you, three consecutive ones in 1983, 1984 and 1985—nor that the defence was led by experienced captain Gaetano Scirea, one of the best defenders in Italian history, accompanied by Claudio Gentile, Sergio Brio and Antonio Cabrini. They also finished second in the Serie A table behind AS Roma.

The Coppa Italia, won 3-0 in the final against Verona, somewhat made up for a frustrating campaign. . 

1983-84 SEASON - EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS' CUP AND SCUDETTO

In the following season, 1983-84, Michel Platini, Serie A top scorer with 20 goals, the great Polish striker Zbigniew Boniek, Gaetano Scirea back in defence alongside Antonio Cabrini, and the rest of their teammates formed a compact, dominant, solid and very consistent team that won the 21st Scudetto. They also won their second major international tournament, the European Cup Winners' Cup, thanks to a 2-1 victory over Porto in the final with goals from Beniamino Vignola and Zbigniew Boniek. 

Juventus captain Gaetano Scirea - 1984 European Cup Winners' Cup

It was a preview of what was to come the following season, but it confirmed Juventus as a European football power.

Platini would go on to win his second Ballon d'Or in 1984 thanks to his performances for Juventus, but also to the French national team's victory in the 1984 European Championship, in which he scored no fewer than nine goals. 

It was also the season in which Dino Zoff, the Old Lady's goalkeeper for the previous eleven seasons, retired from football and Stefano Tocconi, an experienced goalkeeper who shone at Juventus during his nine seasons at the club, arrived as the starting goalkeeper. 

Here is a link to the shirt from that season, the famous Juventus 1983-84 away shirt the historic yellow jersey worn by the players in the European Cup Winners' Cup final when they beat Porto. 

JUVENTUS' DREAM SEASON 1984-85 - INTERNATIONAL TRIPLET

The 1984-85 season saw one of the best Juventus teams in history. The team combined offensive talent with a very solid defence, led by Scirea, which allowed them to play with order, tactical intelligence and a great ability to control the pace of the game. 

The team won the European Cup against none other than Liverpool. Giovanni Trapattoni achieved the dream that all the tifosi fans had been hoping for and cherishing for so long. Juventus advanced with authority in the European Cup, eliminating rivals and showing their experience.

It is impossible to talk about this season without remembering the tragedy at Heysel Stadium, when 39 Juventus fans lost their lives. What happened in the stands forever marked the history of European football. Perhaps the most terrible thing today is to think that, despite the chaos and tragedy, the match was played. 

Platini scored the only goal, from a penalty, and Juve won their first European Cup. Among the top scorers in the competition were once again Platini (7 goals), Paolo Rossi (5 goals) and Massimo Briaschi (3 goals).

Platini penalty goal-  1985  European Cup final vs Liverpool

The victory was historic, but it was subdued and solemn. That night changed the way we understand safety in football. The season was remembered as a mixture of sporting glory and human pain.

In addition, earlier that season, the team won the European Super Cup, beating Liverpool in a single match in January 1985 in Turin. To add another victory, the team won the Intercontinental Cup by defeating Argentinos Juniors. 

That year marked a milestone in European football, as the team managed to win the three main European competitions of those years. It is often thought that, had they won Serie A, the campaign would have culminated in something unimaginable; however, Juve finished sixth in the standings and the title went to Verona. 

Giovanii Trapattoni and Michel Platini - Juventus in the 80s

Here is the link to the shirt from that period, when Juventus won its first European Cup,  the famous Juventus 1984-85 Ariston shirt

LAST FIVE YEARS OF THE 1980s

After that brilliant season, Trapattoni won Serie A again in the 1985–86 season with a revamped squad that included Michael Laudrup, Aldo Serena and Massimo Mauro. At the end of 1986, Trapattoni left Juventus, only to return between 1991 and 1994. The coach himself commented that after ten years and such an exceptional track record, it was time for a change. And so he left for Juventus' direct rival, Inter Milan.

The 1980s ended with another impressive campaign in 1989–90, when striker Salvatore Schillaci joined the team. The Bianconeri won the 1989–90 Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup. To do so, they had to eliminate Paris Saint-Germain, Chemnitzer Fußballclub e.V (formerly FC Karl-Marx-Stadt) from East Germany, Hamburg and Cologne. However, after eliminating three German teams, the final was an all-Italian affair against Fiorentina. 

The coach during those two seasons was none other than an old acquaintance of the Turin fans: their legendary goalkeeper Dino Zoff. However, at the end of that successful campaign, despite Zoff's Juventus winning two major titles, the new board wanted to make the team's football more spectacular and changed the coach for Luigi Maifredi.

THE EARLY 1990s - TRAPATTONI RETURNS !

The 1990s began with a move to the Stadio delle Alpi. This stadium was built to host the 1990 World Cup and was the team's home ground between 1990 and 2006. Being large in size, with an athletics track, visibility was not good and after 16 years the club decided to demolish it and build the recent Juventus Stadium. 

In the 1990s, new players such as Roberto Baggio and Thomas Hässler joined the club. However, results were poor and coach Luigi Maifredi was replaced by Giovanni Trapattoni, who returned to the club in 1991-92 with the aim of adding new titles to the club's trophy cabinet.

Victories arrived in the 1992–93 season when the team won the UEFA Cup with Luca Vialli and Andreas Möller joining the squad. 

Juventus UEFA Cup 1993

However, Juventus had not managed to win another championship since Trapattoni left in 1986, and at the end of the 1993-94 season, with no results to show for their efforts, club officials replaced the coach with the idea of playing a more attacking and attractive style of football. Club officials wanted the team to play more attacking football and maximise performance results. There was no turning back, and the Trapattoni era ended in 1994.

Here is the link to the highly prized 1992-93 Danone Juventus shirt with which Juventus won the UEFA Cup in the 1992-93 season

In 1994, Marcello Lippi took over as manager and led the team to another Scudetto in 1995, but we will save that story for another article. 

***

The Giovanni Trapattoni Juventus era reflects a period in which he turned the Turin club into a dominant force in Italy and Europe. Under his leadership, the team won national titles and all the major European competitions. It was a period in which the club's winning identity left an indelible mark on its history.

Johan Cruyff's childhood at the foot of the Ajax Stadium

Hendrik Johannes Cruijff was born in 1947, just after the end of the Second World War. His parents, part of the generation that had to rebuild Europe from the ruins, shaped his character. He always understood football and life as a process of constant progress. For him, football was not just about matches and results, but about an idea: before talent or speed, what mattered most was respect for the fundamentals, the environment and the people. This way of thinking was born long before his fame, during his childhood in Betondorp, a working-class neighbourhood of Amsterdam known as the “concrete village”.

The house where Johan Cruyff was born in Betondorp, Amsterdam

He began his football career at the age of 10 in the Ajax Amsterdam youth teams. His parents owned a greengrocer’s shop in Betondorp, close to the Ajax ground; from the very beginning, his life was pure Ajax. His father attended every match, so young Johan spent his early years immersed in the football atmosphere of a neighbourhood next to the stadium. That builds character, as anyone who has lived near a ground knows. At that time, the street was the world for children, and Cruyff learned to play football on the street, kicking the ball against the kerb so that, by rebounding at strange angles, he learned that the obvious angle is not always the best option. For Cruyff, many of the skills that later amazed the world were born simply from playing non-stop in the street. He later told all of this himself in his memoirs.

The Ajax stadium, De Meer

When he was five years old, his father introduced him to a friend, Henk Angel, the stadium caretaker and a key figure in his life. Angel took him on as a helper to carry out tasks at the club, and from childhood Cruyff ran through the corridors of De Meer. From then on, the club became his second home. Those experiences, and the conversations he overheard, taught him the importance of order, responsibility and respect for the pitch.

The death of his father when Johan was twelve deeply marked his life. From that point on, Ajax took on an even more central role. The club supported his family and gave work to his mother, Nel, who cleaned dressing rooms and coaches’ houses. Later, his mother married Henk Angel, who became a second father to him, definitively strengthening his bond with Ajax.

Young Cruyff wearing an Ajax jacket

AFC Ajax (1964-1973)

Johan Cruyff’s first spell at Ajax (1964–1973) marked the most decisive period in the club’s history; it was the era in which a little-known club became a dominant force in European football. Cruyff made his first-team debut on 15 November 1964, at just 17 years of age, and in less than a decade he went from being a young prospect to the undisputed leader of a revolutionary side.

The great architect of that transformation was Rinus Michels, Ajax coach from 1965 onwards. Michels introduced a new concept of the game based on collective pressing, intelligent use of space and constant movement, what would later become known as Total Football. The management of space was fundamental: with the ball, the pitch had to be as wide as possible; without it, as compact as possible. His football was intelligent and collective, breaking away from traditional rigid positions. This idea, applied at Ajax, Barcelona and the Dutch national team during the 1970s, laid the foundations of modern football. Cruyff was the perfect interpreter of that idea: a technically exceptional player, tactically brilliant, with total freedom to roam the pitch. He was not a classic striker, but the brain of the team, capable of organising, finishing and pressing.

Around Cruyff, an extraordinary generation took shape: Heinz Stuy, Wim Suurbier, Horst Blankenburg, Barry Hulshoff, Ruud Krol, Johan Neeskens, Arnold Mühren, Gerrie Mühren, Johnny Rep, Piet Keizer, among others.

They all shared a common technical education and an advanced understanding of the game, the result of Ajax’s structured work from the academy through to the first team. Michels created the system; Cruyff pushed it to its limits and made it work on the pitch.

The results were historic. During Cruyff’s first spell, Ajax won six Dutch league titles (1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1972 and 1973) and four Dutch Cups. But the real leap came in Europe: the club lifted three consecutive European Cups in 1971, 1972 and 1973, a feat reserved only for the greatest teams in history. Cruyff was decisive in all three and captain in the last.

On an individual level, Cruyff won three Ballon d’Or awards during this period (1971, 1973 and, after his departure, 1974), a reflection of his continental dominance. When he left Ajax in 1973 to sign for Barcelona, the club was no longer just a champion: it was a footballing model admired and copied across Europe.

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FC Barcelona (1973-1978)

Johan Cruyff’s spell at FC Barcelona (1973–1978) was short on trophies, but monumental in terms of historical, sporting and cultural impact. His arrival marked a turning point for a club that had gone more than a decade without winning the league.

Cruyff with Rexach and Josep Vicenç Tente, FC Barcelona in the 1970s

Cruyff signed for Barcelona in October 1973 from Ajax, in a complex and highly publicised transfer, as the club initially wanted to sell him to Real Madrid but the player refused and chose Barcelona, their great rivals. Rinus Michels, Barça’s head coach, was decisive in bringing Johan Cruyff to the club. From the moment he arrived, the team underwent an immediate transformation. Under Michels’ guidance, Barcelona adopted the principles of Total Football: high pressing, positional play, constant movement and control of the ball. Cruyff did not operate as a traditional striker, but as the organiser of the game from any area of the pitch, raising the level of his team-mates. As the great ones do.

The iconic moment of this era came in the 1973–74 season, when Barcelona won La Liga for the first time since 1960. The triumph was defined by a historic display: the 5–0 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu in February 1974, with Cruyff as the undisputed leader. That win went beyond sport and carried deep symbolic meaning for Barça supporters in the final years of the Franco regime.

Cruyff scores the second goal for Barcelona against Real Madrid in the 0–5 match of 1974

During his five seasons at the club, Cruyff played 180 official matches and scored 60 goals, figures that do not fully reflect his influence on the game. Collectively, the honours were limited — one league title (1974) and one Copa del Rey (1978) — but his impact far outweighed the trophies won. In 1974, he claimed his third Ballon d’Or as a Barcelona player, cementing his status as the best footballer in the world. His first spell as a player helped Barcelona redefine its identity.

THE NETHERLANDS AT THE 1974 WORLD CUP

The 1974 World Cup, held in West Germany, represents the high point of Johan Cruyff as the footballing leader of the Netherlands national team and the moment when Total Football was consecrated on the world stage. Although the Netherlands did not win the tournament, that World Cup became forever associated with Cruyff and with a way of understanding football that changed the game’s history.

Cruyff arrived at the World Cup as the brain and captain of a Dutch side that had already impressed during qualification with its dynamic, collective and attacking football. What made their style even more striking was the fact that the Netherlands had not played at a World Cup since 1934; this detail helps to understand the true scale of the achievement of that group of players.

Under the guidance of Rinus Michels, the Michels–Cruyff partnership reappeared, and the team transferred to the global stage the principles previously developed at Ajax: high pressing, intelligent use of space, constant movement, and an understanding of the game based on technique and tactical intelligence rather than physical strength. Cruyff was the axis of the system, not as a fixed striker but as a free player who appeared in every area of the pitch. Germany 1974 was the definitive validation of those ideas.

Rinus Michels and the Netherlands team at the 1974 World Cup

From the very first match, the Netherlands, with Johan Cruyff, Rob Rensenbrink, Johnny Rep, Johan Neeskens, Ruud Krol, Wim Suurbier among others, all in inspired form, made it clear they had not come to speculate. In the group stage they faced Uruguay, Sweden and Bulgaria. After beating Uruguay with two goals from Johnny Rep, they drew with Sweden and then produced a crushing display against Bulgaria, winning 0–4.

In the next round they were drawn into the so-called group of death alongside Argentina, East Germany and Brazil. Once again, they overwhelmed an opponent, this time Argentina, with a 4–0 victory in which Cruyff scored twice, opening the scoring. They also defeated Brazil, the reigning world champions, 2–0 in a tense and physical match. Cruyff was the standout figure: after Neeskens’ goal, he scored the second, dismantled the Brazilian defence with his movement, and confirmed his status as the best player of the tournament.

Cruyff not only directed the play, he interpreted it in real time: dropping deep to receive, breaking lines with passes or runs, and leading the press after losing the ball. His goal against Argentina, following a long collective move, symbolised the essence of that team.

Johan Neeskens converting the penalty in the 1974 World Cup final 

The final against West Germany began in symbolic fashion: after a long spell of possession without a German touch, Johan Neeskens converted the opening penalty. Germany reacted before half-time, equalising in the 25th minute through Paul Breitner, and then in the 43rd minute Gerd Müller sealed the 2–1. Despite Dutch dominance, the scoreline did not change.

Cruyff did not lift the trophy, but he won the Ballon d’Or and left an unforgettable legacy. In 1974, the Dutch “Clockwork Orange” were not world champions, but they changed football forever.

THE TWO-STRIPES SHIRT with THE NUMBER 14

The so-called “brand war” at the 1974 World Cup reflected Johan Cruyff’s independent character. While the Dutch national team was sponsored by Adidas, Cruyff had a personal contract with rival brand Puma. As no agreement was reached between the two parties, the player refused to wear the standard kit. The solution was as simple as it was symbolic: Cruyff played the tournament in a shirt with only two black stripes, instead of the three iconic Adidas stripes worn by his teammates. That seemingly minor gesture reinforced his image as a free-spirited footballer, true to his principles and immune to commercial pressures.

Johan Cruyff  at World Cup final 1974

AFC Ajax (1981–83) – Feyenoord (1983–84)

At the end of his career, at the age of 34, Cruyff returned to his roots, to Ajax, the club that had seen him grow. He truly wanted to finish where he had run around as a child, something deeply ingrained in all footballers. But things did not have the happy ending imagined for the prodigal son.

During his first two seasons back (1981–1983), Cruyff helped Ajax add two more Eredivisie titles and a KNVB Cup to their trophy cabinet. However, at the end of that period, club president Tom Harmsen decided not to renew his contract, arguing that he was no longer capable of competing at the highest level. Johan Cruyff himself was shut out of his final year — shut out by the very club he had helped shape, the Ajax of modern football.

In an act of pure rebellion, as had always been the case throughout his life and career, Cruyff responded by signing for Ajax’s great rival, Feyenoord of Rotterdam...

Cruyff at Feyenoord with Ben Wijnstekers and Stanley Brard

He was 37 years old… and he won the league and the cup in the 1983–84 season, as well as being named “Voetballer van het Jaar”, Footballer of the Year in the Netherlands. You only need to watch the footage of his season at Feyenoord to see how he hung up his boots, in a state of pure grace. That is how the greats bow out: making a final statement and leaving as they lived — breaking rules and winning titles. 

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GET YOUR JOHAN CRUYFF SHIRT

For all Johan Cruyff fans, here you’ll find the stunning retro shirts and jackets he wore at Barcelona and with the Dutch national team. There is no better way to pay tribute to his legend than by wearing his so special jerseys. 

RETRO FC BARCELONA 1974–75 SECOND KIT CRUYFF

JOHAN CRUYFF 1974 WORLD CUP - TWO-STRIPES SHIRT -  LONG SLEEVE - NUMBER 14

JOHAN CRUYFF 1974 WORLD CUP - TWO-STRIPES SHIRT -  NUMBER 14

CRUYFF 1974 WORLD CUP JACKET

And if you want to dress in casual style, we also leave you the link to the T-shirts from the Cruyff Classics brand — the brand he founded and which continues his unique legacy.

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1.- Le Coq Sportif 86 Collection - Diego Armando Maradona:

A retro Argentina 86 Maradona shirt is the best way to connect with the emotion, tradition and values of authentic football.

The special edition 86 Diego Armando Maradona Collection of shirts, sweatshirts and slim-fit trousers from Le Coq Sportif, the brand that dressed the Albiceleste in 1986, makes the perfect gift, allowing fans to relive that historic feat and feel part of that unforgettable chapter in sport. 

Maradona is the most global football legend, and the passion he unleashes is not dependent on any nationality. To talk about Maradona is to talk about the beautiful game.

 Diego Armando Maradona Commemorative Collection 86

2.- Collection of T-shirts tribute to the winners of the European Championships 1988, 1996, 2000, 2012, 2016

For those who enjoy international football and follow every edition of the European Championship with intensity, a special gift option is retro shirts featuring the winning teams and the most outstanding players from the champion teams, carefully embroidered::


Spain 2012 European Championship T-shirt

In 2012, the Spanish national team culminated a historic and unrepeatable period. That 4-0 victory over Italy, with goals from Jordi Alba, David Silva, Fernando Torres, and Juan Mata, which captivated fans, was marked as one of the most memorable moments in Spanish football and a symbol of the superiority of that generation. We love the profile of Iker Casillas in his yellow goalkeeper's shirt and how recognisable all the players are.

Germany 1996 Euro T-shirt

Holland 1988 European Championship T-shirt

France 2000 European Championship T-shirt

Portugal 2016 Euro T-shirt

If you give these shirts as gifts, you can celebrate the winning teams of the European Championships together as a family. Now that there are more and more families of different nationalities, or friends from different parts of Europe, you can dress up in your winning team shirts and enjoy reminiscing about legendary moments and shared achievements in European football.

They are the best shirts for creating original moments or group games !

 


3.- Captain Tsubasa Football Champions

Many of us grew up following the adventures of Captain Tsubasa, the fabulous animated manga series about football from our childhood, and we have shared those memories of Tsubasa Oozora adventures with our children, nieces and nephews, or siblings. That's why the Collection of Captain Tsubasa Shirt,  Jackets and shorts makes the perfect gift for children, young people and adults alike. This Christmas, you'll see their eyes light up when they open their presents. 

Here are some examples of how beautiful and special these garments are !

4.- Retro football jackets of our favourite clubs and national teams


If you're a football fan and want to keep your passion alive even on the coldest days, retro football jackets are the perfect gift. Inspired by the styles worn by players on the sidelines in the 70s and 80s, or on their way to the stadium, these garments combine history and style.

With a vintage and authentic feel, retro football jackets bring a nostalgic and authentic style that goes well with sporty and casual looks. Their versatile design is ideal for everyday wear and casual occasions. What's more, they reflect a passion for football in a unique and distinctive way.y.

 We even have the Tibet national team jacket!

Here we show you some examples, like the Liverpool 2005 Istanbul UEFA Champions League final jacket or the Barcelona jacket from 1959 by Helenio Herrera, so retro vintage that is impossible not to love it ! Each garment is a piece of history that will fascinate fans of all ages! As is always the case with these retro football jackets, they make the perfect gift :)

5.- Retro football-inspired gift for women

More and more women are becoming interested in, playing and enjoying football. It is no longer a minority phenomenon; the women's national football team and its triumphs, which we have all enjoyed, are the perfect example. So we mustn't forget gifts for women who love football.

We suggest these gifts for female football fans or these national team shirts made specifically for women.

6.- Retro shirts and jerseys of Premier League teams

Many fans, in addition to faithfully following their usual team, admire other historic clubs. That's why we suggest some gift options from our collection of retro shirts: keep in mind that a historic shirt from the 60s, 70s or 80s is a garment that retains its style and can continue to be worn over time, unlike the kits for each season, which change every year.

Now that many people want useful gifts, this is a plus :) 

Retro shirts of English clubs from the 60‘s, 70’s, 80‘s and 90’s Don't miss out on shirts from Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Everton, Brentford and other legendary clubs that made history.

Retro shirts from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s of the Italian Serie A clubs

Vintage shirts of Portuguese clubs from the 60‘s, 70’s, 80‘s and 90’s

Retro shirts of French Ligue 1 clubs from the last decades of the 20th century

Retro vintage shirts of Spanish La Liga clubs

Vintage football shirts are garments that never go out of fashion and allow you to show your love for the sport with your own style and personality.

They are also a way of recognising the legends who paved the way for football, making them a unique and memorable gift for your partner or children.

An ideal gift choice to surprise someone this Christmas!!

7.- Socks and accessories

Accessories and socks inspired by historic moments of football legends are unique gifts full of meaning. They celebrate the achievements of great players and allow you to carry on their legacy with style and originality. We love thematic socks!.

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Don't miss this opportunity! These great gifts have the same price as 5 years ago :-) . They are mostly made in Europe and are vintage retro brands of the highest quality.

Don't forget, when you choose a Retrofootball product, the result is surprising: unique details with character that convey the essence of traditional football and allow you to relive some of the most exciting memories of this sport we are so passionate about..

HISTORY OF OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE
 

Olympique de Marseille (OM) was officially founded in 1899, although some argue the date is 1892. It was created by René Dufaure de Montmirail with the aim of forming a multi-sports club. While rugby and fencing were among the first sports practised, football soon became the soul of the club. The name “Olympique de Marseille” was inspired by the Greek Olympic ideal, in reference to the Greek origins of the city, highlighting its open and Mediterranean character. The Greek origins explains the club’s nicknames: Les Phocéens (The Phocaeans) and Les Olympiens (The Olympians).

Olympique de Marseille 1919-1920

From the early decades, OM established itself as the city’s most popular club, closely linked to the working classes around the port The French Cup was the first competition in which it excelled. This competition was established in 1917, and the Marseille club won it in 1924, 1926 and 1927, beginning a special relationship with the tournament that it would repeat in the 1930s in 1935 and 1938. In 1937, the club won its first Ligue 1 title, the year in which the Stade Vélodrome, the club's home since then and the venue for the 1938 World Cup, was inaugurated.

It may come as a surprise to learn that in the 1930s, OM was already recruiting many of its big stars from abroad. Its ranks included Austrian, Hungarian and Moroccan players such as Larbi Ben Barek, who later joined Atlético Madrid, where he won two leagues, and Italians such as Mario Zatelli, who also became the club's coach years later.

In the 1940s, the team won another French Cup in 1943 and, after the Second World War, added another French championship title in 1948. From this period onwards, the club went into a tailspin and spent several years in the second division in the 1960s. But as has always been the case with this club, the French Cup came to its rescue and it lifted the title again in 1969.

The 1970s marked the beginning of a glorious era. With Yugoslavian Josip Skoblar as its star player and Europe's top scorer in 1971, Olympique de Marseille won the French Championship and went on to achieve a historic double, winning both the league and the cup in 1972. Also in that decade, Marseille established itself as one of the great clubs of the French Cup by retaining the title in 1976. 

Olympique de Marseille 1971-1972

The definitive leap to legendary status came during the Tapie era (1986–1994). Under the presidency of businessman Bernard Tapie, OM dominated French football with four consecutive league titles (1989–1992). Its great journey during those years included reaching the Champions League final in 1991, which it lost on penalties to Red Star Belgrade. However, this season marked a turning point and elevated the club to the elite of European football with the great milestone of 26 May 1993, when it defeated Van Basten and Frank Rijkaard's Milan (1-0, goal by Basile Boli) to become the first French club to win the Champions League. It should be noted that it took more than 30 years for PSG to join them in 2025. This OM title remains the club's greatest source of pride. The players who achieved this feat remain in the memory of all the fans: Barthez, Abédi Pelé, Jean-Pierre Papin, Bokšić and Basile Boli himself, among others.

The following decades saw ups and downs: an administrative relegation in 1994, a slow rebuild in the 2000s, and a rebirth in 2010 under Didier Deschamps, winning Ligue 1 and the League Cup. In 2018, they reached the Europa League final, and in recent years have finished Ligue 1 runners-up in 2020, 2022 and 2025.

Honours:

•    1 Champions League (1993)
•    9 French Leagues (the first in 1937 and the last in 2010)
•    10 French Cups (the first in 1924 and the last in 1989)
•    3 League Cups (2010, 2011, 2012) a championship no longer taking place
•    3 French Super Cups (1971, 2010, 2011)
•    3 Europa League runners-up (1999, 2004, 2018)

More than a century on, OM remains a symbol of Mediterranean pride and passion, a club that reinvents itself without ever losing the loyalty of its fans.

IDENTITY, CREST AND KITS OF OM

Olympique de Marseille is not just a football club, it is a cultural symbol of the city and southern France. Its identity has always been linked to the Mediterranean character: passion, popular pride and a deep connection with port workers, sailors and labourers, representing all social classes in the city. For those unfamiliar with the city, it is important to note that the port of Marseille has always made the city a meeting point for cultures and communities.

OM Crest

From its early ornate designs at the end of the 19th century to today’s modern, minimalist version in sky blue and white, the crest reflects both tradition and modernity. The golden star added in 1993 reminds everyone of their Champions League triumph.

Olympique Marseille logo 1899

Core elements that have always remained:
•    The interlaced “O” and “M”.
•    The blue colour, taken from the city’s coat of arms.

Other elements have appeared and disappeared over time:
•    The motto “Droit au but” (“Straight to the goal”), expressing their attacking spirit. This motto has accompanied the club since its foundation, when it absorbed Marseille Football Club.
•    The star, after  1993 Champions League win..

Olympique Marseille logo 2004

Olympique de Marseille Kits

The OM shirt has always been recognisable for its white colour for home matches; its first official kit from the late 1920s already featured this design, and over the decades it has become a hallmark of the club.

For away shirts, blue has been the colour of choice; the blue has changed over the seasons from sky blue, which has always been present in the club's history, to a darker blue. 

In the 1970s, the team began to include the names or logos of sponsors in large, striking but simple lettering on the front of their classic white V-neck shirts. In the 1971-72 season, the tricolour of the French flag and the BUT sports magazine logo appeared on the collar trim. 

Josip Skoblar OM

From the 1980s and into the 1990s, coinciding with the Tapie era and European glory, the Adidas brand modernised the shirts with synthetic fabrics and more striking designs: diagonal stripes, gold accents and the unforgettable kit from the 1993 Champions League final.

Now in the 21st century, the club has maintained its tradition of innovation without losing its essence. We have seen shirts with urban inspirations, details almost always in the club's representative blue colour. 

Olympique de Marseille  2011-2012 Adidas shirt

OM shirts suppliers

•    Early 1970s: Le Coq Sportif.
•    Mid-1970s to 2018: Adidas (the longest-serving).
•    Since 2018: Puma.

The OM shirt is not just a uniform: it is a symbol of collective identity. For fans, wearing it means belonging to a family that goes beyond football, a community that shares history, passion and Marseillais pride.

RIVALRIES OF OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE 

Olympique de Marseille cannot be understood without its rivalries, which fuel the passion of its fans and shape its identity. Among them, one stands out above the rest: ‘Le Classique’ against Paris Saint-Germain, with the Stade Vélodrome as a witness.

Vélodrome Stadium Olympique Marseille

The clash against PSG is much more than a football match: it is a cultural, social and geographical clash between Marseille, a popular, Mediterranean port city, and Paris, a centralist capital and symbol of economic and political power. Since the 1980s and early 1990s, when PSG emerged as a powerhouse, the matches have become veritable clashes of the titans. The stadiums vibrate, the tension spreads to the stands and each victory is celebrated like a title.

Another historic rivalry is with AS Saint-Étienne, the most successful club in France during the 1960s and 1970s. The Verts dominated that era, and their clashes with OM were decisive in establishing their hegemony in French football. Although it has lost some of its intensity over time, it still retains a special aura.

The regional rivalry with OGC Nice and AS Monaco also stands out. These are matches played by teams from the south of France, where geographical proximity adds an extra ingredient. The passion of the fans makes each match charged with atmosphere and territorial pride.

In short, OM experiences football as a story of intense rivalries, where each match is more than just three points: it is about defending a city, a lifestyle and a history against its great adversaries..

ICONIC OM PLAYERS

The greatness of Olympique de Marseille cannot be understood without remembering figures such as Gunnar Andersson, the club's top scorer, or other players who contributed their efforts to the club's rise to greatness. Among them are Marius Trésor, Chris Waddle, Abédi Pelé, Didier Deschamps, Manuel Amoros, Didier Drogba, Rudi Völler, Mamadou Niang, Fabien Barthez and other players who, at different times, left their indelible mark on the club's history.

We include reviews of four players, legends who represent the energy and history of Olympique de Marseille, both for their sporting impact and their mark on the fans and who defined eras at the Vélodrome:. 

Josip Skoblar 

Born in Privlaka, Yugoslavia (now Croatia) in 1941, he played for OM in two periods, 1966–1967 and 1969–1975. A lethal striker, he scored 176 goals in 286 matches. He was the top scorer in the French league for three consecutive seasons (1971-1973) and in 1971 he won the European Golden Boot with 44 goals. He led OM to the 1972 double (league and cup) and is still considered one of the best strikers the club has ever seen.

Jean Pierre Papin OM BALLON D'OR 1991

Jean-Pierre Papin

Born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, in 1963, he played for OM between 1986 and 1992. During six seasons, he scored around 180 goals, making him the club's second-highest scorer after Gunnar Anderssson, and became Ligue 1's top scorer in five consecutive seasons (between 1987-88 and 1991-92). He won four French leagues and was an essential part of the most feared attack in Europe. His greatest individual achievement was winning the Ballon d'Or in 1991, the only OM player to have done so.

Basile Boli goal - Champions League Final 1993

Basile Boli

Born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, in 1967, he joined OM in 1990 and played until 1994. A powerful centre-back, he will be forever remembered for his header in the 1993 Champions League final against Milan, which brought OM European glory. His tears at the end of the 1991 Champions League, when the team lost the final to Red Star Belgrade, are also remembered. His tears and his glory two years later are further proof of the greatness of football and how unpredictable this sport can be. With the Marseille club, he also won two league titles in 1991 and 1992 and became one of the most beloved heroes of the Vélodrome fans.

Steve Mandada  OM goalkeeper

Steve Mandanda

Born in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) in 1985. Goalkeeper for Olympique de Marseille between 2007 and 2016, and then again between 2017 and 2022, becoming the player with the most appearances in the club's history.
Captain and undisputed leader for more than a decade, he won Ligue 1 in 2010, three consecutive League Cups (2010, 2011, 2012) and was instrumental in numerous European qualifications. His charisma and consistency earned him the nickname ‘Il Fenomeno’ among Marseille fans. 

GET YOUR OM SHIRT 

If you want to dress an OM shirt, here are some links to the original Adidas, which, as we have seen, has been the team's longest-standing kit supplier. These shirts are not very old, but bear in mind that one day they will be historic, so don't miss out on them. 

OM 2012-2013 Shirt -  InterSport Adidas

OM 2015-2016 Jersey - InterSport Adidas

OM 2010-2011 Shirt Goalkeeper -  Betclic Adidas 

OM 2011-2012  Jersey - Betclic Adidas 

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The history of Olympique de Marseille is the story of a club that has never stopped fighting and thrilling its fans; its motto, “Droit au but”, meaning “Straight to the goal”, says it all. From Skoblar’s goals to Deschamps’ leadership, from Boli’s strength to Papin’s magic, OM has built a legacy that transcends generations. Its crest, its colours and its triumphs are part of the collective memory of European football. 

To talk about OM is to talk about passion, rivalry, glory and legend. More than a century after its birth, this club continues to write unforgettable chapters in the heart of the beautiful game.

In football, there are moments that keep coming back — and like children, we never get tired of reliving them. That’s the beauty of this sport: it constantly gives rise to stories worth telling.

Beyond being just a sport, football generates tales, sparks conversations, encourages different perspectives and rivalries which, despite the differences, ultimately bring people together.

This is why the historical legends of football are so important — they are the heroes, the embodiment of these stories. In our daily lives, we love to talk about football, and there’s always that lingering feeling that perhaps what we’re discussing today — the brilliant players, the breathtaking moves — might one day become the legendary moments future generations of football fans will talk about.

That’s why today, once again, we tell the story of Antonín Panenka — the hero of the Czech Republic at the 1976 European Championship. 

Who Was Antonín Panenka 

Antonín Panenka was born in 1948, three years after the end of the Second World War.

He was a footballer from the Czech Republic, part of the gritty footballing generation of the 60s, 70s, and 80s — the kind of football that laid the foundations for the game we enjoy today. He played as a midfielder.

He spent the majority of his career, between 1967 and 1981, at Bohemians Prague, a club based in the picturesque district of Vršovice in the beautiful city of Prague. However, his most successful years came with Rapid Vienna, the club he joined from 1981 to 1985.

With Rapid Vienna, he won the Austrian Bundesliga in 1982 and 1983, and three Austrian Cups in 1983, 1984 and 1985. He concluded his playing career at various Austrian clubs including VSE St. Pölten, SK Slovak Vienna, ASV Hohenau, and Kleinwiesendorf — finally hanging up his boots in 1993.

As a Czechoslovakia international, he wore the national shirt between 1973 and 1982, earning 59 caps and scoring 19 goals. 

Antonin Panenka with the Czechoslovakian national team – Euro 1976

These are the bare facts of this iconic player's career. But now, let’s go back to the story — the one that warms our hearts and reminds us why we love this sport.

The Famous Panenka Penalty 

Many of us hadn’t even been born yet when that unforgettable moment occurred — the final of the 1976 European Championship between West Germany and Czechoslovakia.

All bets were on Germany to win, facing a Czechoslovak side made up of largely unknown players. Even though they had defeated the Netherlands in the semi-final, few believed they could stand a chance against the mighty West Germans — let alone produce one of the most dazzling and legendary moments in football history. Today, it would have gone instantly viral.

The final began with two early goals for Czechoslovakia: Švehlík scored in the 8th minute and Dobiaš followed in the 25th. But the Germans, as always, responded. The semi-final hero Dieter Müller and his teammate Hölzenbein equalised in the 28th and 89th minutes.

For the first time in history, a European Championship final was to be decided by a penalty shootout. Czechoslovakia went first, and the first seven spot-kicks were converted flawlessly — until Germany’s Uli Hoeneß stepped up and blasted his shot over the bar.

With the score at 4–3, it was Panenka’s turn. He stepped forward to take the decisive penalty. But instead of striking it with power — the usual choice in such high-pressure moments — he calmly chipped the ball straight down the middle, a technique that would forever bear his name: the “Panenka”.

Antonín Panenka wearing the Czechoslovakia shirt taking his penalty kick.

The legendary German goalkeeper Sepp Maier, one of the most respected keepers of that era, dived to his left, powerless to stop the ball gently floating into the centre of the net.

Antonín Panenka and Sepp Maier - 1976 European Championship

Antonín Panenka (in red, with his arms raised) celebrating his daring penalty kick.

Panenka’s penalty clinched the title for Czechoslovakia, who won the shootout 5–3. That kick is now considered one of the coolest and bravest penalties in football history..

Panenka’s Followers: Totti, Zidane and Pirlo

Other footballers were inspired by him, and today we look back at three iconic Panenka-style penalty moments.

His famous spot-kick inspired some of the greatest football legends, such as Francesco Totti during the semi-final match against the Netherlands — the team of Bergkamp, Overmars and Kluivert — at Euro 2000. Totti’s Panenka was once again one of the defining moments of that historic tournament, as his penalty sent Italy through to the final against France. Delivered with Totti’s signature elegance, that Panenka-style penalty secured Italy’s place in the final and remains etched in the memory of Italian fans — perhaps even more so than the loss in the final itself. 

Totti's Panenka penalty at 2000  European Championship 

In a near reversal of that story, Zinedine Zidane, in 2006, in his final match for France — the World Cup final against Italy — did what only the true greats dare to do. He took a risk and added to his legendary status with a Panenka-style penalty to make it 1–0 against another titan of the game, Gianluigi Buffon. Although Italy went on to lift the trophy, that moment was immortalised in football history.

Zidane's Panenka-style penalty kick - 2006 World Cup final between France and Italy

At Euro 2012, another Italian legend, Andrea Pirlo, also executed a Panenka-style penalty. It came during the quarter-final shoot-out against England. Italy were briefly trailing 2–1 in the shoot-out when Pirlo calmly chipped the ball down the middle, completely deceiving goalkeeper Joe Hart, who had dived to one side. That goal shifted the momentum psychologically, and Italy eventually won 4–2 on penalties.

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Pirlo's Panenka-style penalty kick - Euro 2012 

So many others have won the hearts of fans with Panenka-style penalties that we’ll leave it to you to explore and find your own favourite. Ours remains the first, the original — Antonín’s.

Though his penalty is now celebrated as a moment of genius, at the time many criticised it as disrespectful or reckless. Panenka always defended it, saying it was not meant as a provocation, but as a way of expressing his creativity.

Panenka Czechoslovakia 1976 Football Shirt

Here is the replica of the iconic shirt worn by Antonín Panenka at the 1976 European Championship — red, with a polo collar and white trim. A historic football shirt you won’t want to miss..

And the 1976 European Championship Czechoslovakia Panenka Socks — inspired by his famous penalty.

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Panenka’s life is a shining example of how an innovative idea can transcend sport, become a personal trademark, and leave an unforgettable legacy.

And remember — in any match, history can be made. Perhaps one day, during a visit to the stadium to watch your national team or your club, you’ll witness a moment that future generations will talk about for years to come.

FOUNDATION AND HISTORY OF PSG

Paris Saint-Germain FC: Foundation, Club Philosophy, Honours.

Paris Saint-Germain Football Club was founded in 1970 following the merger of two clubs: Paris Football Club (founded in 1969) and Stade Saint-Germanois, a historic team established in 1904. The club was born with the ambition to represent both the city of Paris and the nearby commune of Saint-Germain-en-Laye on the capital’s outskirts..

PSG season 1970-1971

After a somewhat turbulent start and a split from Paris FC, PSG rose to the top tier of French football in the mid-1970s. During this period, the club won its first major trophies, including the Coupe de France in 1982 and 1983. It was a formative stage in building the club’s identity and fanbase, which grew rapidly as Parisians longed for a top-flight team to represent the capital.

PSG claimed their first Ligue 1 title in 1986 and won it again in 1994. The club also added more Coupe de France titles in 1993, 1995 and 1998. In 1996, they achieved their greatest European success of the 20th century by lifting the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. The 1990s truly established PSG as one of France’s biggest clubs, highlighted by a Champions League semi-final appearance in 1995.

From 1999 onwards, the club experienced ups and downs, both on and off the pitch. Institutional changes often influenced the club’s direction, and PSG struggled for consistency in Ligue 1, even flirting with relegation in 2007. Still, there were moments of success, including winning the Coupe de la Ligue in 2008 and adding more Coupe de France titles in 2004, 2006 and 2010.

Everything changed with the arrival of Qatari investment. PSG reclaimed the Ligue 1 title in 2013 and have remained dominant in French football ever since—winning the league again in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

They also secured multiple domestic doubles, lifting the Coupe de France in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2025.

These impressive achievements confirm Paris Saint-Germain’s transformation into a footballing powerhouse in France. And of course, 2025 marked the club’s ultimate international triumph: finally lifting the UEFA Champions League. This crowning moment came after their runner-up finish in 2020, showing their continued ambition on the European stage.

IDENTITY, CREST AND THE EVOLUTION OF PSG SHIRTS

PSG has always been a club that blends style with ambition. From the very beginning, it aimed to reflect the Parisian identity — not only through modern, attacking football on the pitch but also off it. During Daniel Hechter’s presidency (1974–1978), the club embraced the elegance and fashion-forward spirit of the capital. This influence was clearly reflected in its kits, which were ahead of their time — both stylish and sophisticated.

Between 1970 and 1973, Paris Saint-Germain wore a red shirt with blue and white accents, echoing the colours of both Paris and Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The club’s most iconic design, known as the “Hechter shirt”, was introduced in 1973 by Daniel Hechter himself. It featured a navy blue base with a bold vertical red stripe flanked by thin white lines. This design became a symbol of the club’s identity and has remained part of PSG’s DNA — regularly used in cup competitions and revived, such as in the 2020–21 season to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary.

During the 1990s and 2000s, PSG shirts evolved further with more modern materials and alternative styles. Designs included Eiffel Tower-inspired brushstroke patterns and more artistic, impressionist-style prints, reflecting both innovation and the club’s continued ties to the aesthetic and cultural flair of Paris.

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PSG's first crest


The club’s crest has also evolved in step with its identity. The very first emblem (1970–72) featured a blue football with a red ship placed over one of its white panels. In 1972, the now-iconic red Eiffel Tower was introduced as the central element, firmly establishing PSG’s Parisian roots and cultural heritage. Beneath it appeared a royal cradle and a fleur-de-lis, referencing Saint-Germain-en-Laye — the birthplace of King Louis XIV. The fleur-de-lis, a symbol of French royalty, added historical depth to the design.

In 1982, a depiction of the Parc des Princes stadium was added and remained part of the crest until 1990. After several variations during the 1990s, the historic version made a return in 1996. A major redesign arrived in 2013, modernising the logo with a stronger emphasis on the word “PARIS” while simplifying the visual elements — keeping the fleur-de-lis but removing the royal cradle. This update reflected a move to reinforce the club’s global image while staying connected to its heritage.

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PSG's actual crest

RIVALRIES BETWEEN PSG AND OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE

Paris Saint-Germain’s most iconic rivalry is with Olympique de Marseille, in the famous “Le Classique”, the French football classic. This clash, which began to intensify in the 1980s and early 1990s, represents a strong opposition between the capital (Paris) and the south (Marseille), and has been filled with tension both on the pitch and among supporters. Their two stadiums, OM’s Stade Vélodrome and PSG’s Parc des Princes, reach fever pitch at every encounter. It’s worth noting that until this year, 2025, Olympique de Marseille was the only French club to have won the UEFA Champions League, adding even more pressure on the Parisian side to conquer the title.

As for other clubs from the city of Paris, only PSG has played in Ligue 1 in recent years, despite Paris having several professional football clubs, such as Red Star Paris in the St-Ouen district or the now amateur Racing Club Paris; both teams have won the French Cup five times in their history. And this year, PSG will face a city rival in Ligue 1, as Paris FC returns to the top flight after 46 years.

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LEGENDARY PSG PLAYERS

PSG has been home to great legends. During the 1990s, figures such as Luis Fernández and Dominique Bathenay were associated with the club’s celebrated domestic cup campaigns. In the modern era, players like Ronaldinho, Pauleta, Ibrahimović and Mbappé have rewritten the club’s history with their talent and charisma.

But today we’re going to focus on four historic foreign players of PSG:

Mustapha Dhaleb PSG

Mustapha Dhaleb : A fantastic Algerian attacking midfielder, he was a legend for PSG and the Algerian national team in the 1970s and 1980s. Born in Béjaïa, Algeria, in 1952, he began his career in 1969 with CS Sedan-Ardennes and was loaned out in 1971 to Algerian side CR Belouizdad before joining Paris Saint-Germain in 1974, where he remained until 1984. During that period, from 1974 to 1984, he was Paris Saint-Germain's all-time top scorer in the French championship with 85 goals, and in 1977 he was voted the best foreign player in the championship by France Football. With PSG he won the French Cup in 1982 and 1983.

Nabatingue Toko PSG

Nabatingue Toko : Born in 1952 in Chad, the striker played for PSG between 1980 and 1985, after playing for OGC Nice, RC Strasbourg and Valenciennes. With his powerful physique, he played an important role in attack, providing goals and assists during a crucial period of growth for the club. He was part of the team that won the French Cup in 1982, PSG's first major title, scoring in the final. He won the Coupe de France again in 1983. He is also remembered in PSG history for scoring the club's first goal in a Cup Winners' Cup match. Although he was not a superstar, his performances were key at decisive moments. In Paris, he made 171 appearances and scored 43 goals. That is why we highlight him today: because football is written with names like his.

Safet Sušić PSG

Safet Sušić : This midfield player was known as Pape. He was born in 1955 in Zavidovići, in the former Yugoslavia, today part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He played for FK Sarajevo no less than 600 times and scored no less than 400 goals. In 1982 he started playing for PSG, where he became a club legend in the 1980s until 1991 when he left the club. With the club he won the Ligue 1 in 1986 and the Cup in 1981 and PSG fans do not forget him and consider him one of their most loved stars.  He finished his career at the Red Star de Saint-Ouen in Paris. Gerd Müller, the famous German striker of the 1970s, said of him that many of his teammates should have paid to play alongside him!

Raí PSG

Raí Souza Vieira de Oliveira : Born in Brazil in 1965, he joined Paris Saint-Germain in 1993 from São Paulo FC, where he had already shone as a Copa Libertadores champion in 1992 and 1993. Although his early days in Paris were not easy, he became a key figure in the team and one of the most respected idols of the fans. An elegant, technical and visionary attacking midfielder, he stood out not only for his decisive goals and class on the pitch, but also for his quiet leadership and sportsmanship. He was team captain and symbol of PSG during one of its most successful periods. With the Parisian club, he won six titles, including Ligue 1 (1993-94), two French Cups (1995 and 1998), two League Cups, a French Super Cup and, above all, the historic European Cup Winners' Cup in 1996. His influence in the dressing room and his performance in big matches made him a true legend at the Parc des Princes.

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Finally, we leave links to 2 PSG children's shirts from the 70s and 80s so that all parents can proudly enjoy their passion for football with their children wearing historic shirts. As you can see below we include, the Hechter shirt, in two versions with V-neck and polo neck from two different periods. 

Paris 1976-79 retro shirt | Kid

 Paris 1981-82 retro shirt | Kid

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After this brilliant year 2025, which will be remembered by all PSG fans in a hundred years' time, it remains to be seen how the Parisian capital club will evolve. Will this achievement be the beginning of a race to win several Champions League trophies?

In twenty years' time, let's take a look back!

Sevilla FC with 1946  Liga title

SEVILLA FC ACHIEVEMENTS

Sevilla FC achieved important successes :  1 Spanish Championship (1945/46) 

•    1 Spanish Championship (1945/46) 
•    5 Spanish Cups (1935, 1939, 1948, 2007 and 2010) 
•    1 Spanish Super Cup (2007) 
•    7 UEFA Europa League (2006, 2007, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2023) 
•    1 European Super Cup (2006) 

This impressive international record makes Sevilla FC the club with the most UEFA Europa League titles in history, specifically it has won 7 and far behind are Liverpool, Juventus, Inter and Atlético de Madrid with 3.

Historical rivalry Sevilla vs Betis

Sevilla FC's most intense rivalry is with Real Betis Balompié, also from Seville. The "Seville Derby" is one of the most passionate clashes in Spanish football, with a history full of intense moments and fierce competition both on and off the field.

It is also carried with humor in families, both in the Nervión neighborhood where Sevilla's field is located, the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, and in the Heliópolis neighborhood where Betis' stadium is located. This rivalry reflects the great passion with which the inhabitants of the city of Seville live football. 

But let's look at the data. The Great Derby has a favorable record for Sevilla FC. 

In the First Division League Sevila and Betis have met on 108 occasions since 1935 of which Sevilla have won on 50 occasions, Betis on 31 and have drawn on 27. 

There have been 19 meetings in the Spanish Cup, of which Sevilla FC has won 9, Betis 5 and there have been 5 draws.

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Foundation of Sevilla FC

Sevilla FC was founded on January 25, 1890 by a group of Sevillians and British residents of the city, being the Scotsman Edward Johnston its first president. Although it was initially thought that the foundation was in 1905, recent research confirmed the date of 1890, which makes it the oldest club in Spain after RC Recreativo de Huelva which was founded a year earlier. 

During the first decades of the twentieth century, the club consolidated itself as a regional power, winning multiple Andalusian Cups and establishing itself in the elite of Spanish football. In 1946, he won his only League title under the management of Ramón Encinas.

History of Sevilla FC football shirts

The white shirt with red details has been a constant in the history of the club, symbolizing purity and passion. During the history of the club, variations were introduced in the design, adapting to the trends of each era. Following the path that other clubs had had, in the 70s and 80s, shirts began to incorporate more modern details and synthetic materials, reflecting the technological evolution in sports technology. In addition, from 1980 they incorporated the logo of the sponsors. But sometimes football Clubs go back, to look at their history replicating shirts from previous years, perhaps reflecting moments of change or golden eras.

An anecdote regarding the first shirts; in the beginning the club was going to wear a white and red vertical striped shirt that Sunderland had sent, since founding members were part of a shipping company based in that city of England, but the shirts did not arrive on time and the club decided to wear white shirts so usual in many of the teams of those beginnings.

We show you two retro shirts from different periods to give you an idea of what we are talking about :

Sevilla FC 1980-81 retro shirt  A polo neck shirt that reflects the classic spirit of the team. Stars such as Juanito, Enrique Montero, Carlos Morete, El Puma, Argentine striker, among others, played with this shirt. The team led by Miguel Muñoz, reputed coach of Real Madrid and who was later coach of the Spanish national team, ended the season in the 8th position.

Sevilla FC 1992-93 vintage shirt  As you can see this shirt with red edgings is more modern than the previous one. It is the Sevilla shirt of Maradona, Davor Suker and Simeone. The team was finally ranked 7th in the League table. How much history this design holds!

Sevilla FC crest

The first emblem of the Club was round with the acronym SFC and was used at the beginning of the 20th century. 

The current crest of Sevilla FC was designed in 1921 by Pablo Rodríguez Blanco, taking the form of a Swiss shield. It includes the patron saints of Seville (San Fernando, San Isidoro and San Leandro), the interlocking "SFC" acronyms and the representative red and white bars of King Ferdinand III the Saint in 1248. It includes the colors of the Club and the city of Seville.

Legendary Sevilla FC players

Sevilla FC, like all clubs has its fetish players, revered legends, emblematic players who left a mark that still endures today, we have chosen some but they are not the only ones, The list as you can imagine is long, but we are going to reduce it to five, and we already know that there would be as many lists of stellar Sevilla players as the club has members :

Guillermo Campanal : He currently holds the title of the club's top scorer with around 217 goals. He arrived at Sevilla in 1929 and did not leave the club until 1946. He therefore played in two golden decades the 30s when the club won two Cups and in the 40s when it conquered a La Liga title in 1946 and the Copa del Rey in 1948.

Juan Arza : The club's second all-time top scorer with 206 goals and winner of the Pichichi Trophy in 1955. He arrived at Sevilla in 1943 and did not leave the club until 1959. With this player captain of the team, the team also won its only ever League title in 1946 and the Cup in 1948..

Enrique Lora : The midfielder was decorated with the number VII legendary squad number. This star player of the 60s and 70s spent eleven seasons at the club, playing 331 games and overcoming beginnings that were not easy. For seven seasons he was the team captain. He was also a famous international of the Spanish national team.

Alhaji Momodo Njie Biri-Biri : Gambian player and the first black player of the club, idol between 1973 and 1978 marked an era as he arrived at the Club after relegation to the Second Division in 1968. He was one of the most charismatic players in the history of the club, who marked an era for his talent and connection with the fans.

Diego Maradona :  It is still surprising to see that many football lovers do not know that Maradona played for Sevilla during the 1992-1993 season. He was convinced by Bilardo, the Argentine coach to join the team. He didn't come to the club in his best time, he was 32 years old and after his sanction for positive in drugs. However, he played 30 matches between League and Cup and scored 7 goals, he also played several friendly matches. It was a dream for Sevilla and it still is that the best player in the world will play for Sevilla FC.

Diego Maradona, Sevilla FC player in the 1992-93 season

Among other outstanding players we do not want to forget Manolo Jimenez, Jose Antonio Reyes, Rafa Paz, Juan Velasco, Pablo Blanco, Antonio Puerta or the foreigners Daniel Bertoni, Hector Scotta, Davor Suker or Anton Polster. As in all teams, all the players, the remembered, the forgotten, the recovered, the stars, the more discreet, all contribute to forging the identity and legacy of Sevilla FC during the twentieth century.

To close this section, we also want to introduce you to two nostalgic football figures who were great personality coaches of Sevilla, Helenio Herrera and Max Merkel who, although they did not win titles, also helped the growth of the Club.

And as a tribute to them, we present you two vintage tracksuit jackets from Sevilla. The jackets worn by both the players and the coaches of the team in the 50s and in the 70s..

Sevilla FC historical football jackets 

Sevilla FC 1970-71 retro jacket  A jacket in the style of the 70s, red with a white band on the side of the shoulders. This season coach Max Merkel took the reins of the team that finished in the championship in seventh position.

Sevilla FC retro football Jacket 1950s This jacket corresponds to the time when the great Helenia Herrera was coach of the Sevillian club between 1953 and 1957.

Helenio Herrera, coach of Sevilla FC in the 50s

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Sevilla FC is not just a football team but an authentic expression of the Sevillian soul and the fervor of its fans. Over the years, the club has lived through moments of glory and difficulty, but it has never lost its combative character or pride. Its career is marked by the effort and quality of great footballers. The team continues to be a protagonist both in the national Spanish league and in European competitions, writing its history with ambition and being a source of inspiration for new generations of Sevillians.

Eusebio Benfica player and Teofilo Cubillas Porto player

Anyone who is not an expert on Portuguese football will wonder why we have chosen Benfica and Porto for this article. So to understand, the first thing we are going to do is to show you the facts.

The four Portuguese clubs with the most official titles are: Benfica, Porto, Sporting and Boavista.

SL Benfica, has won among the most important titles 38 league championships, 26 Portuguese Cups and 2 Champions League former European Cup (1961 and 1962).

FC Porto, has won 30 league championships, 20 Portuguese Cups and 2 Champions League (1987 and 2004), 2 Intercontinental Cups (1987 and 2004), 2 Europa League (2003 and 2011), 1 European Super Cup (1987) and 1 European Super Cup (1987).

Overall, we can say that Benfica is the club with the biggest following in Portugal and also the one that has accumulated the most titles throughout history. Its incredible number of members, its media presence, its marketing strategy make it the strongest football brand in Portugal..

However, if we look at sporting success over the last 30 years, Porto has been the most dominant club. At the international level, Porto also surpasses its Portuguese rivals in trophies, having achieved great European conquests that have consolidated its reputation outside Portugal.

Not to be forgotten as one of the Big 3 is Lisbon-based Sporting de Portugal, which has 20 league championships, 17 Portuguese Cups and 1 European Cup Winners' Cup. In addition, in the last four years they have won the Primeira Liga in 2022-24 and also in 2020-21.

Behind and far behind the big three is Boavista FC also from the city of Porto: they have won 1 league championship (2001) and 5 Portuguese Cups.

Knowing the prominence and historical success of these clubs in Portuguese football, let's take a closer look at the 2 big clubs in Portugal, their rivalry and their jerseys..

RIVALRY PORTO VS BENFICA

The rivalry between FC Porto and Benfica is one of the most intense and passionate in European football, reflecting not only sporting competitiveness, but also the identity and values of each club. As we have seen, over the years both teams have forged a history rich in titles, legendary players and great moments that have given them a strong fan base.

Rivalry Porto vs Benfica

The match in which they measure their rivalry and prestige is called ‘O Clássico’, the Classic. The beginning of these matches can be dated back to 1912. And as in all football rivalries, the geography, the economic relations of the cities of each club, their indiosyncrasy, influence this intense relationship. In the case of these clubs, their competition between the teams is closely related to the rivalry between the two most important cities in Portugal, Lisbon and Porto.

The name ‘O Clássico’ also applies not only to matches in the league championship, but also to matches in any other competition.


Here are some facts about these clashes:


Championship Primeira Liga - official meetings between Porto and Benfica since 1934 :

Benfica: 60 wins

Porto: 72 wins

Draws: 49


Portuguese Cup ,Taça de Portugal - official meetings between Benfica and Porto since 1939 :

Benfica: 21 matches won

Porto: 11 matches won

Draws: 5


As we shall see below, while Benfica have been a symbol of tradition and success in Portugal, Porto have demonstrated their dominance and consistency, especially in the late 20th and 21st century. The jerseys of both clubs are emblematic of their respective histories, carrying with them the essence of decades of glory and rivalry. Ultimately, this duel remains one of the biggest attractions for Portuguese and international football fans.

What would football be without such intense relationships?

Let's take a look at the history of these two great Portuguese clubs..

SPORT LISBOA E BENFICA - SL BENFICA

Sport Lisboa e Benfica, commonly known as Benfica, was founded in 1904 as Grupo Sport Lisboa, the club was born from the initiative of a group of young sports enthusiasts in the Belém district of Lisbon. Its aim was to promote football and other sporting activities in the Portuguese capital.

Due to financial difficulties, Grupo Sport Lisboa eventually merged in 1908 with the cycling team Grupo Sport Benfica, founded in 1906. This merger gave birth to the club's definitive name, Sport Lisboa e Benfica, and a bicycle wheel was incorporated into its emblem, a symbol that still remains today..

Benfica's 1908 crest

From its beginnings, Benfica has been characterised as a popular club, called ‘O clube do povo’, the club of the people, attracting supporters from various social classes and fostering an identity based on values such as solidarity and community spirit. It is one of the clubs with the largest membership base in the world, in fact in 2006 it was the club with the largest membership in the world! It currently has around 290,000 members.

Throughout its history, Benfica has experienced periods of great success. The 1960s and 1970s were particularly fruitful, with Benfica winning many national and international titles. The team with Hungarian coach Béla Guttmann in charge won the European Cup on two consecutive occasions, in 1961 and 1962, establishing itself as a power in European football with the great Eusébio, considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. However, after the departure of coach Béla Guttmann in 1962, who allegedly cast a curse saying that Benfica would never win a European final without him, the club has failed to win another European Cup, losing 5 Champions League finals (the last one in 1990) and 3 Europa League finals (the last one in 2014) which has fuelled the legend of the ‘curse of Béla Guttmann’.

Domestically, Benfica have dominated Portuguese football, racking up numerous Primeira Liga titles, Portuguese Cups and Super Cups. This success has been made possible by the contribution of legendary players such as Eusébio, José Águas, Mário Coluna, Tamagnini Nené, Rui Costa and more recently, the likes of Nuno Gomes and Di Maria.

Eusebio at Benfica

The club plays at the Estádio da Luz, officially Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, which seats around 64,000 spectators. Opened in 2003 to replace the old stadium that had been created in 1954, it is a UEFA category four venue and has hosted major events such as the Euro 2004 final and two Champions League finals. In 2014 it was voted the most beautiful stadium in Europe in a poll by L'Équipe.

Benfica's uniform is easily recognisable by its red shirt and white shorts and red socks. The club crest features an eagle - which has earned the nickname ‘Águias’ (Eagles) - on a bicycle wheel - we have already explained above where the bicycle wheel comes from - symbolising nobility and speed, respectively, reflecting the values and identity of the team.

Here are some of the team's shirts::

SL Benfica 1962-63 retro shirt  Benfica classic shirt 1962-63 This shirt is a replica of the one worn among others by Eusebio. He had arrived at the club in the season in May 1961 but his first official match took place in June 1961. It was in the 1961-62 season that he gained the recognition that would never leave him. In that year's European Cup final against Real Madrid, he scored 2 goals in a final score of 5-3 in favour of Benfica. Already that year he was awarded second place in the Ballon d'Or. Also in this season were Mário Coluna and José Águas, two greats of the Águias team. In this season the team won the Primeira Liga..

SL Benfica 1962 - 63  Eusebio retro shirt

Benfica 1992-93 vintage football shirt   In the 1992-93 season the team won the Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup) with a 5-2 win over Boavista. In this season João Pinto and Hélder joined the club, as well as Paulo Futre after playing for Atlético de Madrid, forming a team of great players. Also in this season Bento, the great goalkeeper, retired. It was also the year that Toni, António José da Conceição Oliveira, took over again as coach..

SL Benfica 1992-93 vintage football shirt

SL Benfica 1994-95 football shirt  This shirt with the Parmalat logo represents a period of renewal for the club after winning the league the previous season. Players such as Caniggia and Edilson joined the club. In the Champions League they finished top of the group in the first round and although they reached the quarter-finals, they were ousted from the championship by Milan.

 SL Benfica 1994-95 football shirt

SL Benfica Casual Socks Box Set We also leave you a link to the socks that commemorate emblematic moments of Benfica, we know that football starts with the feet!

FUTEBOL CLUBE DO PORTO - FC PORTO

FC Porto, one of Portugal's most important clubs, was founded in 1893 by António Nicolau de Almeida, a wine merchant who discovered football in England and decided to introduce it to his country. However, the team went through a period of inactivity until, in 1906, José Monteiro da Costa sparked its revival and brought it back into the competition. For a long time, 1906 was considered to be the year of its foundation, but it is now officially recognised that its beginnings date back to 1893.

Porto is distinguished by its competitive spirit and its ability to reinvent itself over the years. Although in its early decades it faced challenges to establish itself on the national football scene, the club began to stand out as early as the 1930s by winning what is now the Portuguese Primeira Liga. The 1940s were difficult, yet they beat Arsenal in London in 1948 and in the 1950s they slowly began to establish a solid base for future success, building the Antas Stadium and winning the double in 1956. The 1960s, however, saw Benfica shine with their European titles..

FC Porto crest

FC Porto's golden era in the 20th century was between the mid-1980s and the late 1990s. During this period, the club won its first European Cup in 1987, beating Bayern Munich. In addition, in 1987, Porto won the UEFA Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, consolidating their presence on the international stage. Domestically, they won multiple Primeira Liga titles, including a record five consecutive championships between 1995 and 1999, as well as Portuguese Cups and Super Cups. These achievements marked an incredible era for the club, establishing its dominance in both Portugal and Europe. The first decades of the 21st century have seen the club continue to build on this winning streak, starting this century well by winning the Europa League in 2003 and the Champions League in 2004.

FC Porto's most famous players are Vítor Baía, João Pinto, Mario Jardel, Fernando Gomes, Deco, Ricardo Carvalho, Hulk, Rabah Madjer and Radamel Falcao, who left an indelible mark on the club's history with their achievements and talent. Surely fans could expand this list or modify it, we know.

Fernando Gomes FC Porto legendary player

Porto's traditional uniform features blue and white striped shirts, blue shorts and white socks. Initially, Porto wore white shirts with red details. It was not until 1909 that the blue and white stripes were imposed, inspired by the colours of the Portuguese monarchical flag, with the intention of representing not only the city of Porto, but the whole country. Since then, the Dragões have kept these colours as a symbol of their identity and greatness.

The original FC Porto crest, created in 1910, consisted of a blue football with the initials ‘FCP’ in white. In 1922, the coat of arms of the city of Porto was incorporated into the club's emblem. This coat of arms includes a black dragon, a symbol of power, which has also given rise to the team's nickname: ‘Dragões’ (Dragons).  This dragon is perched on a crown and holding a ribbon with the word ‘Invicta’, in reference to the title awarded to the city. Since then, the emblem has undergone slight modifications, but maintains these distinctive elements that reflect the identity and pride of the club and its city.

We present a retro FC Porto shirt and a vintage jacket::

FC Porto 1971-72 retro shirt : At that time the club began to have a reputation for forging new young talent that would bring them so much success in the decade that followed. Players such as Rodolfo Reis, Miglietti and Lemos wore this shirt. Under Paulo Amaral they finished fifth in the championship. We love this shirt with only three stripes with the collar so 70's style. .

FC Porto 1971-72 retro shirt

And as a bonus we include the FC Porto vintage Jacket 1983-84  that we love: It corresponds to the golden age of the club, when in the 80s it began to be the respected Club in the world that it is today. We remind you that in 1987 the Club won the Champions League no less. This jacket has the name of the club on the back. . 

FC Porto 1983-84 vintage jacket

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Both Benfica and Porto have not only contributed significantly to Portuguese football, but have also left a very interesting competitive trajectory on the international football scene, being ambassadors of Portugal's rich sporting tradition. We hope we have contributed to broaden or initiate your knowledge about the exciting Portuguese football! And don't forget to get your shirt, with which you will be able to travel with your imagination to those moments in the past of the best Portuguese football.

An important note: as we are going to talk about different teams, we include the most important English clubs in order of number of National, European and World titles won as of 10 August 2024: In first position is Liverpool, followed by Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Everton, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, Leeds United and all those that come after.

ASTON VILLA

Aston Villa, founded in 1874 - come to think of it, we're talking about the late 19th century! - is one of the oldest clubs in England and is a symbol of the city of Birmingham. Known as the ‘Villans’, their supporters are passionate and loyal, creating a vibrant atmosphere at Villa Park. Its hallmark is its rich tradition, having been one of the founding clubs of the Football League in 1888 and then the Premier League in 1992.


Villa Park has been their home stadium since 1897 - almost 130 years! Imagine the atmosphere and all the memories the stadium holds for the fans.  Aston Villa's greatest achievements include the 1982 European Cup, seven League titles and seven FA Cups, most of them before the First World War. For all these reasons, their history and legacy make them a pillar of English football.


Aston Villa re-emerged into the elite of English football first in the 1950s when they won the FA Cup again in 1956-57 and then in the 1970s, under Ron Saunders, they won the League in 1981, their first League title since 1910. The 1980s were their golden era, and shortly afterwards, in 1982, they achieved their greatest glory by winning the European Cup with a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in Rotterdam, followed by the European Super Cup against Barcelona.

It was its last major achievement before ups and downs that included relegation in 2016, although the club managed to return to the Premier League in 2020 from where it has not been relegated since.

As we have seen above they rank seventh in terms of major trophies won after Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

Aston Villa's retro shirts combine the legendary claret and light blue colours of ‘The Villains’. And as they all recall the iconic players from their most glorious eras, from the 80's in particular like the Aston Villa 1984-85 Classic footbal shirt

Aston Villa 1984-85 Classic football shirt

Or the beautiful Aston Villa shirt from the 1987-88 season worn by players Tony Daley, Gary Shaw or Stephen Hunt with their legendary Mita Copiers brand.

Aston Villa 1987-88 Classic shirt

And also the Aston Villa polo shirt from the 1980-81 season worn by Ken McNaught, Allan Evans, Denis Mortimer or the prolific Gordons Cowans, who played 527 games for the club and scored 59 goals.

Aston Villa 1980 Away shirt

And why not the Aston Villa shirt with the Müller logo worn by Paul McGrath, who played for Aston Villa between 1989 and 1996, earning the status of an idol among the fans. His talent as a defender led to him being recognised with the Premier League Player of the Year award, and his leadership at the back ensured that the team had one of the most impenetrable defences of its time..

Aston Villa 1994 Classic shirt

CHELSEA

Chelsea FC, founded in 1905, is competing for the top spots among the biggest clubs in England and is the fifth biggest. It is based in the London Borough of Fulham. Their home ground, Stamford Bridge, has been their stadium since its formation and is known for its vibrant atmosphere. Although it went through seasons without major titles, the club began to excel in the 1950s and experienced a resurgence in the 1970s and 1990s with the arrival of international stars. The golden era, however, came with Roman Abramovich's purchase of the club in 2003, which propelled the team to multiple trophies. Their greatest achievements include six league titles, eight FA Cups and two Champions League titles, as well as numerous domestic and international cups. Their identity is based on a combination of investment and talent and a loyal fan base known as ‘The Blues’. Today, Chelsea remains a benchmark in European football.

Chelsea have worn blue since its foundation, a colour that symbolises its identity and gives it the nickname ‘The Blues’. Over the years, their crest has evolved; Chelsea's first crest featured the figure of a ‘Pensioner’, in honour of the war veterans of the Royal Chelsea Hospital. This image was later removed and, for a time, the club's emblem consisted solely of its initials. Subsequently, the current design was adopted with a lion rampant, a heraldic symbol taken from the coat of arms of the borough of Chelsea, representing power and tradition.

Kerry Dixon 1988 Chelsea shirt

Pictured above and bellow is the iconic Chelsea shirt sponsored by Commodore, and we love it. It's the home kit from the 1988 Chelsea shirt season with its distinctive cross stripes design. It was a difficult time for the team, as they were relegated to the second division, but they won promotion at the first attempt..

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Chelsea 1988 Classic shirt

Chelsea 1983-84 Classic shirt In the 1983-1984 season, Chelsea were crowned Second Division champions. With this achievement, the team secured promotion to the First Division.

Chelsea 1970 Classic shirt We love the simplicity of this shirt, it represents very well the spartan spirit of the 70's, a football stripped of all the trappings of today. And yet it has all the distinctive signs of the Club; the blue colour, the Lion Rampant and of course the symbol of the FA Cup they won that year..

Chelsea 1978 Classic shirt  A distinctive white polo neck shirt, a classic Chelsea shirt.

LIVERPOOL

Liverpool FC, founded in 1892, is today England's most successful club. Its stadium, Anfield, is a symbol of world football, famous for its legendary ‘The Kop’ stand and its passionate fans. Throughout its history, the club has dominated both English and European football, especially in the 1970s and 1980s under the leadership of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley. With 19 league titles and 6 Champions League titles, it is also one of the most successful teams in Europe. One of its most memorable moments for fans came in 2005 when it staged the epic ‘Miracle of Istanbul’ comeback in the Champions League final against Milan.


After years of drought in the Premier League, they won it again in 2020 under manager Jürgen Klopp. Its legacy and its motto ‘You'll Never Walk Alone’ make it a unique club in the world.

Liverpool FC adopted the colour red on their shirt in 1894, reflecting the identity of the city. In the early days, they combined the red shirt with white shorts and socks of different shades. In 1964, Bill Shankly, as manager, had a brilliant idea and the team started wearing all red to convey a more powerful image.

Liverpool's crest bears the ‘Liver Bird’, a mythological bird symbolising the city, which first appeared on the club's emblem in 1901. This badge reinforces the link between the team and its community.

Like this Liverpool FC 1996-1998 Classic shirt with the iconic Carlsberg brand as sponsor.

Liverpool 1996-1998 Classic shirt

We love away shirts, where designers can take risks in both style and colour. Many fans ask us for these shirts, they are a treasure for collectors and if you think about it if you wear them you will feel like you stand out from the crowd, isn't this what we all want?

Liverpool away shirt 2003-2004 This is a very contemporary white shirt, it could be a shirt of today. It's from the season when the Miracle of Istanbul was simmering with players like Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher.

Liverpool FC 1997-98 Away shirt worn with a young Michel Owen showing off his youthful joy on the pitch that reminds us of today's young stars. hoy.

Michael Owen with Liverpool 1997-98 away football shirt

And we don't want to forget the children, who know more about football than adults, hahaha, and they love Liverpool shirts. Children are not only the most knowledgeable but also the best football fans; they learn very early to follow their teams, and in fact they usually have several, which makes them, as we have said, the best experts in the game.

Liverpool FC 1989-90 Away kid football shirt

Liverpool FC 1986 kid football shirt

STOKE CITY

Stoke City FC, the team of the city of Stoke-on-Trent, founded in 1863, is the second oldest professional football club in English football and therefore we include it among the greats because we are talking about tradition and long life. Its greatest achievement was winning the League Cup in 1972, its only major title to date. It has alternated its participation between the Premier League and the Championship, highlighting its time in the elite between 2008 and 2018.


Stoke City's crest began with a stylised ‘S’ in 1882, but over the years adopted elements of the Stoke-on-Trent coat of arms. In 2001, it incorporated its nickname ‘The Potters’, after the city's pottery industry and, in 2012, launched a special 150th anniversary version. The club motto is  ‘Vis Unita Fortior’, ‘Strength united is stronger’. We love club mottos, we will do an article on them one day, it's worthwhile.


As for the design of the shirts, they have kept the local symbols and the red and white stripes, an unmistakable symbol of the team like this Stoke City FC shirt from the 1981-83 season.

Stoke City FC 1981-83 Classic shirt

Stoke City FC  1981-83 Classic shirt

MANCHESTER CITY

Manchester City was founded in 1880 as St. Mark's and adopted its current name in 1894. After winning their first FA Cup in 1904, they went through different stages until their first great era in the 1960s, when they won the English Premier League in 1968, the FA Cup in 1969 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1970. It then experienced irregular decades, even being relegated to the third division in the 1990s, although from the 2002-03 season it returned to the Premier League, from where it has not been relegated since. Its rebirth came with the purchase of the club in 2008, which transformed it into a powerhouse, winning multiple Premier Leagues, several domestic cups and, finally, the Champions League in 2023 under Guardiola. It is the fourth most successful club in English football.

Manchester City have played in their classic light blue shirt since 1894, a colour that has become a symbol of the club. Their crest has changed several times, but has always maintained references to the city of Manchester, including the white bands representing the three rivers, the year 1894, the red rose and the ship of commerce. Today, its crest combines modernity and tradition, reflecting its history and evolution.

On this occasion we have chosen two shirts: the Manchester City 1996 Classic Shirt with the sponsor brother which was very popular in the 90's and its light blue colour. We particularly like the polo neck with the stripes representing the rivers of Manchester and a crest very similar to the current one. . 

Manchester City 1996 Classic shirt

We also propose you this away shirt with yellow-navy blue stripes, a shirt of the club from 1999 that symbolizes the moment when the club left the second division, with a goal by Paul Dickov, then in the 2000-2001 season the club reached the Premier League again. Manchester City 1999 Wembley Classic Shirt

EVERTON FC

Everton, founded in 1878 in the city of Liverpool, is the eighth most successful club in England. Like many others, it began life under a different name, in this case Sto. Domingo FC, before acquiring its current name. It shares the city's footballing representation with its great rivals, Liverpool FC, with whom it plays the exciting Merseyside derby. With the exception of two seasons in the 1950s, it has spent its entire history playing in the First Division and the Premier League of English football, something that not even many of the big teams can boast of. They have won 9 leagues, the last one in 1987, 5 FA Cups, the last one in 1995 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1985. Their golden era as we can see was in the 1980s.

Everton have played in their iconic blue colour since their early years, specifically since 1913. Their crest has evolved, but has always included the Prince Rupert's Tower, a symbol of the city of Liverpool. Its classic identity and passionate supporters make it a special club..

We suggest the Everton FC Classic Shirt 1987 when they last won the championship, before the Premier League was created, with the likes of Graeme Sharp and Kevin Ratcliffe..

Everton FC 1987 shirt

ARSENAL

Arsenal, this English football giant from the sprawling British capital, was founded in 1886 in the south-east London borough of Woolwich, now plays in the borough of Holloway and is England's third biggest club in terms of titles. It has won 13 league titles and 14 FA Cups. It holds the record of number of Cups won in the latter competition. Their golden era included the unbeaten 2003-04 season under Arsène Wenger. They played intense derbies against other London clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur (North London Derby) and also Chelsea.

From its beginnings Arsenal wore red shirts and in 1933 white sleeves were added, an identity that has been maintained with minor variations. Their crest has evolved, with the iconic cannon always standing out, a symbol of the military history of Woolwich, the district in which the club was founded, as we have seen. Nowadays, its emblem maintains a modern design, but faithful to its roots.

We propose a very symbolic shirt, the Arsenal 1985-86 Centenary football shirt 

Arsenal 1985-86 Centenary classic football shirt

Or this Arsenal Classic shirt 1982-83. The Gunners kit from the 1982-83 season worn by Tony Woodcock or Brian Talbot, . .

MANCHESTER UNITED

Manchester United, founded in 1878, is the second most successful club in English football and also one of the most followed in world football. It has won an English record 20 league titles, along with 13 FA Cups, 3 Champions League titles and numerous domestic and international trophies.

Their era of greatest dominance began with the arrival of Sir Alex Ferguson in 1986, who transformed the team into an unstoppable powerhouse. Under his stewardship, the Red Devils won 13 Premier League titles, cementing their hegemony in English football.

One of his most iconic moments was the treble of the 1998-99 season, when they won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, dramatically beating Bayern Munich in the final with two stoppage-time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær..

The club remains a global benchmark, although in recent years it has faced challenges in the face of resurgent rivals such as Klopp's Liverpool and Manchester City. Despite this, their legacy and impact on football remains unrivalled.

Manchester United have worn their iconic red shirt since 1902, when the club changed its name from Newton Heath. Their traditional kit is completed with white shorts and black socks. The club's crest has evolved considerably and since 1973 has retained the red devil symbol, representing their nickname ‘Red Devils’. Over the years, the design of the shirt has varied, but its identity remains one of the most recognisable in world football, such as the Manchester United 1958 FA Cup Final Classic Shirt..

Manchester United 1958 FA Cup Final classic shirt

This edition of the FA Cup is remembered for Manchester United's heroic performance following the tragedy of the Munich air disaster on 6 February 1958, in which they lost much of their team. Despite the devastating blow, the club managed to advance three more rounds in the competition before being defeated in the final.

Manchester United 1968 European Cup Final football shirt This shirt is a replica of the shirt worn by the Manchester United heroes who won the first Champions League in 1968 in a final against Benfica. They were heroes as this victory was the first Champions League victory for an English team..

LEEDS UNITED

For today we finish with the team from the city of West Yorkshire. Leeds United, founded in 1919, is a historic English football club with a great fan base and a strong competitive spirit. They have won 3 league titles, 1 FA Cup and 1 League Cup, as well as being runners-up in the Champions League in 1975. Known for their intense rivalry - called Roses rivalry - with Manchester United, which apparently stems from disputes between the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire in the 15th century, that's nothing! It is noted for its feisty style of play and passionate supporters. They currently compete in the Championship, England's second division, after relegation in 2023. Their iconic white shirt reflects the club's identity since the 1960s.

From Leeds United we show you two visitor's shirts that you will find in the links below:

Leeds United 1992 away shirt

Leeds United 1994 awau shirt

We hope you liked the tour. As we have seen you don't need to travel to any of these club cities to feel the passion of English football. With one of these classic shirts that we have presented you, you can relive the history of the most emblematic clubs from wherever you are.

Wear the colours of the legendary teams and carry the essence of British football with you. Whether you're playing, collecting or cheering on your favourite English team, each shirt is a symbol of tradition and glory - choose yours and experience the thrill of football from the birthplace of the game!

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PRELIMINARY

From the official World Cup logo, to its fabulous posters such as the one by photographer Annie Leibovitz, reproduced below, the 1986 World Cup was touched by the hand of God. Moreover, Mexico already had experience of organising World Cups, having hosted the 1970 one. We remind you that that 1970 World Cup was won by Brazil, beating Italy 4-1 in the final at the Azteca Stadium. With a legendary team led by Pelé, the Canarinha played brilliant, attacking football, considered one of the best in history. That victory allowed them to win the Jules Rimet Cup.

In other words, the background for the 1986 WC was already full of good stories for football.

1986 WC in Mexico logo

This Mexico 86 Logo was chosen in 2019, in a vote organised by FIFA, as the best logo in the history of World Cups with 53% of the votes.

Poster Mexico 86 by photographer Annie Leibovitz

Who do you think is that shadow making the gesture of strength with a ball at his feet?  Let's go step by step and see the details of everything that happened between 31 May and 29 June 1986, when all eyes in the world were on Mexico:

THE QUALIFICATION PHASE

The qualifiers for the 1986 World Cup were a football battle on every continent, with teams fighting for a place in Mexico.

In UEFA Europe, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and England sealed their passage, while Denmark surprised with attacking football and the Netherlands were eliminated by a Belgium side that would go on to excel.

In CONMEBOL South America, Brazil and Paraguay were solid winners, but Argentina's team struggled more than expected. The Albiceleste, with a team in transition, qualified after a tough South American qualifying campaign, securing their place in World Cup 86 with a key 2-2 draw against Peru, thanks to the bravery of Passarella and Ricardo Gareca.

Furthermore, in the previous match against Peru, Lucho Reyna marked Maradona in a match that will not be remembered for the quality of the play or the goals, but for the suffocating personal marking that Reyna imposed on El Pibe de Oro, The Golden Boy. This match came to represent Argentina's tough qualifying campaign and the insecurities that the team generated in La Albiceleste stands. Argentine fans were unhappy with the performance of the team led by coach Carlos Salvador Bilardo and even Maradona was criticised, which, seen in the rear-view mirror of time, seems surprising or unimaginable today.

 Reyna marking Maradona

Among the CONCACAF teams from North, Central America and the Caribbean, Mexico qualified directly as hosts and Canada made history by qualifying for the first time.

Among the CAF African teams, Morocco stood out with solid football and returned to the World Cup after 16 years. Algeria also qualified for the World Cup.

Asia AFC saw South Korea return to the tournament and Iraq make their debut, while in Oceania OFC, the battle was intense but no team qualified.

Thus, the world's best teams secured their place in the most eagerly awaited tournament.

THE GROUP PHASE

The group stage of the Mexico 86 World Cup produced some unforgettable moments. Brazil and Denmark played brilliant football, while the Soviet Union surprised with their attacking power. France struggled through a tough group and defending champions Italy failed to convince. Morocco made history by becoming the first African team to top their group, knocking out Portugal. England started with doubts, but Gary Lineker popped up with a hat-trick against Poland to seal qualification.

The Argentina team got off to a solid start on their way to glory. They opened with a 3-1 win over South Korea, with Maradona showing flashes of his talent as he set up three assists for his team-mates: to Valdano in the 6th and 46th minutes and to Ruggieri in the 18th minute.

Then, in a close match, they drew 1-1 against Italy with a cross-shot from El Pibe de Oro. Italy had to defend the title they had won at the World Cup in Spain in 1982, but they lost in the Round of 16.

Maradona's goal against Italy

In the final group game, Argentina beat Bulgaria 2-0 with authority to secure top spot in the group. Valdano scored after three minutes, Diego Armando did not score, but it was he who provided the prodigious assist for Burruchaga's second goal in the 76th minute, sealing the match.


La Albiceleste showed convincing football, with Maradona on fire and a team that was beginning to establish itself as title contenders.

THE ROUND OF 16

The Round of 16 of World Cup 86 produced intense matches, unrepeatable episodes, some of which have gone down in football history.

Denmark, one of the revelations of the tournament in the group stage, having won all three of their matches - including their match against West Germany - and topping the group, were stunned and lost 1-5 to Spain, with a stellar performance by Emilio Butragueño, who scored four goals !

Hosts Mexico had a tough match against Bulgaria, winning 2-0 with a masterful scissor kick goal by Negrete, one of the most popular goals in World Cup history.

Negrete' goal - Mexico against Bulgaria

France and Italy played out another key clash, with the French, led by Platini, eliminating the reigning champions with a solid 2-0 win.

Morocco's dream came to an end in the Round of 16 after a narrow defeat to West Germany, who won with a single goal from Lothar Matthäus. It was a balanced, intense World Cup match.

England, with an inspired Gary Lineker, thrashed Paraguay 3-0, showing their best version.

The Round of 16 clash between Argentina and Uruguay was charged with great emotional tension, as it was a classic. That match even had a name: The Battle of the River Plate. The Argentinian team came from playing better than their opponents and that was not in their favour emotionally as they felt they were in for a tough match. In the end La Abiceleste eliminated La Celeste with a narrow 1-0 win thanks to a goal by Pedro Pasculli in the 42nd minute. Argentina were better positioned on the pitch, Uruguay ended up showing their World Champion spirit, although they did not manage to break down Nery Pumpido, the Argentinian goalkeeper.

Pedro Pasculli's goal for Argentina against Uruguay

QUARTER-FINALS

Halfway through the World Cup, Argentina were already among the top eight teams Compared to the doubt-filled team that arrived in Mexico earlier, after the first part of the World Cup they felt completely different, more solid and with a renewed spirit. Although they had not shown their full potential, La Albiceleste entered the quarter-finals in high spirits thanks to their victories and with a clear strategy on the pitch. They still lacked the dynamic they would show in the final stages, but they knew exactly what to do, both in defence and attack, and looked to the future with confidence and optimism.

In the historic and unforgettable quarter-final between Argentina and England on 22 June 1986, Maradona carried the team on his shoulders. It seemed as if he took revenge for the goal he had disallowed against Uruguay, first creating a great move with his masterful dribbling and then appearing to finish off the ball Valdano had thrown into the goal from an aerial cross, to score the goal with his hand. A move that the referee missed and which has been called the historic Hand of God in the 51st minute. When the fans had still not recovered from the emotional impact of that goal in the 55th minute, Maradona surpassed himself and created what still seems like a dream, the Goal of the Century. He started from the Argentine midfield and beat five England players: Peter Beardsley, Peter Reid, Terry Butcher, Terry Fenwick and goalkeeper Peter Shilton. England's Lineker's third goal of the match in the 81st minute was only a consolation for the English after the final score of 2-1.

Maradona Goal of the Century against the England national team

In the other quarter-final matches, Brazil and France also played out a historic encounter. It was a clash that remains etched in the memory of all fans, both for the great football played by both teams and for the unstoppable attacking play of the 22 players. The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, with goals from Careca for Brazil and Platini for France. In the penalty shoot-out, the French won 3-4, eliminating Brazil and leaving one of the biggest surprises of the tournament.

Mexico, at home, was eliminated by West Germany after a 0-0 draw that went to penalties, where the Germans won 4-1 and the home team failed to overcome the Teutonic pressure.

Belgium pulled off a surprise by beating Spain 4-5 on penalties, after a 1-1 draw with goals from Señor for Spain and Ceulemans for Belgium in normal time. The Belgians played a flawless penalty shoot-out, scoring all their goals.

SEMIFINALS

Argentina beat Belgium 2-0 in the semi-finals of World Cup 86, with another brilliant performance by Diego Maradona. After a scrappy first half with few chances, the Argentine captain opened the scoring after an extraordinary pass from Burruchaga, in the 51st minute, with a goal with the outside of his foot, a great individual move inside the box.The Argentine star scored a seemingly effortless goal, so quickly that it is barely visible even on a video replay.

Maradona against Belgium in semi-final match

Just 12 minutes later, in the 61st minute, Maradona dazzled again with another stunning goal, dribbling past several Belgian players before again scoring expertly past goalkeeper Pfaff. It was a goal similar to England's second goal, the so-called Goal of the Century. With these masterful performances, Maradona was the star again, but we should not forget the accompaniment of Burruchaga, Batista or Valdano. What this match again made clear is that with Maradona in top form, Argentina was an almost unbeatable team. Belgium, who had just eliminated Spain, were unable to stop Diego's magic or find any attacking answers.

With this victory, Argentina advanced to the final, where they would face West Germany in search of their second World Cup.

Germany beat France 2-0 in the semi-finals in a match played at the Estadio Jalisco. Of the four teams that reached the semi-finals, Germany had played the least convincing football. However, Andreas Brehme opened the scoring early, capitalising on a glaring error by French goalkeeper Bats. Despite attempts by Platini in a centre-forward position and his team to react, the Germans controlled the game with defensive solidity. German goalkeeper Schumacher, with the help of an unbreakable defence of Rolff and Foerster, stopped the French team's onslaught. Rudi Völler sealed the match in the final minutes, securing Germany's place in the final against Argentina. It was an intense and physically demanding match, unfavourable to France's technical style, but perfect for Germany's strength and discipline.

THE FINAL

The final of the Mexico 86 World Cup between Argentina and West Germany was a match full of excitement and score changes.

Bilardo's Argentina went into the final with this squad: Pumpido, Brown, Cucciuffo, Ruggeri, Giusti, Olarticoechea, Batista, Enrique, Maradona, Burruchaga and Valdano.

Coach Beckenbauer's Germany team included Schumacher, Berthod, Forsters, Jakob, Brieghel, Brehme, Eder, Magath, Matthäus, Rummenigge and Allofs.

José Luis Brown opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a header past the advancing Schumacher goalkeeper from a Burruchaga free-kick cross. With that 1-0 lead, La Albiceleste went into the break with the lead and Tata Brown with the unexpected honour of going down in history.

In the second half, Argentina widened the gap with a goal by Jorge Valdano, who received a great pass from Héctor Enrique, broke free on the left and scored with precision, a goal in which Valdano started as a right back and finished as a striker on the left in a perfect combination between Valdano, Maradona, Enrique and finally Valdano. His goal was a dream come true.

However, Germany reacted. First, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge scored Germany's first goal in the 74th minute from a corner kick. Then, in the 81st minute, Rudi Völler equalised after a corner from the left, in a move very similar to the first German goal, and it was clear that the experienced Germany were not going to be intimidated and equalised convincingly.

But Argentina had Maradona and on this occasion also Burruchaga. Just three minutes after the equaliser, Diego received the ball in midfield, surrounded by opponents and with no space. With a stroke of genius, he slipped a perfect pass to Burruchaga, who ran into the box and scored a cross-shot to make it 3-2 and crown Argentina World Champions, unleashing the celebrations of a historic victory. Argentina won their second World Cup title, after their first in 1978.

Burruchaga's goal for Argentina against Germany in the final of the World Cup Mexico 1986

The success at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico was the result of a perfect combination of talent, tactics and commitment. Led by Carlos Bilardo and with Maradona at a superlative level, the national team showed brilliant football full of character. From the stars to the less prominent players, everyone contributed to an unforgettable campaign.

The victory over West Germany in the final not only sealed the championship, but also made Maradona a football legend, an everlasting symbol in the history of the sport.

Maradona with the World Cup after the final of the World Cup Mexico 86

THE MARADONA ARGENTINA JERSEY OF THE 1986 WORLD CUP IN MEXICO

The shirts worn by Maradona and the rest of his teammates became true emblems of that historic victory that will always remain engraved in the memory of all football fans. Le Coq Sportif, the renowned French sportswear brand, was in charge of dressing the Argentina team in the 1986 World Cup, achieving a perfect interaction between fans and team.

Don't miss the opportunity to discover the Collection of Le Coq Sportif Argentina Maradona 1986 World Cup shirts, sweatshirts, slim trousers and to relive those historic moments, feeling part of that epic adventure.

Maradona 1986 Commemorative Jersey

Maradona 1986 commemorative sweatshirt

Argentina '86 Slim Trousers

The Maradona 1986 shirt is the most loved by the fans of the Argentina team.

For many fans, whether Argentinian or not, wearing an Argentina and Maradona Mexico 1986 team jersey is a way of honouring his legacy. It is a symbol of the emotions, passion and pride that surrounded the World Cup conquest. This collection of Argentina World Cup Mexico 86 jerseys not only pays tribute to the past, but also unites new generations of fans who revere Maradona and the rich history of Argentine football.

France jacket from the 60's. Wearing the France retro 60's football jacket is a symbol of history and style, recalling the first Euro 1960 where France reached the semi-finals and legends such as Raymond Kopa and Just Fontaine. This is a garment with a vintage touch that pays tribute to a generation that marked the path of French football. Perfect for lovers of European football and retro fashion, it will make you stand out in cool French style.

Retro football jacket Italy in the 70s. Italy finished second at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, a great start to the decade, with the great Luigi Riva. Although Boninsegna scored a goal in the final against Brazil, the Italians were unable to win the title. But the Italian national team left Mexico with the honour of playing in the Match of the Century thanks to five extra-time goals against Germany, winning 4-3 with Sandro Mazzola, Domenghini, De Sisti and Luigi Riva. At the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, Italy finished fourth. This retro 1970s Italy jacket represents these legendary moments in Italian football.

CCCP (USSR) tracksuit jacket from the 1970s. The Soviet Union finished fifth at the start of the decade in the famous 1970  Mexico World Cup. It also reached the final of Euro 1972, where it lost to West Germany. Notable players such as goalkeeper Evgeny Rudakov, Oleg Blokhin, Lev Yashin (at the start of the decade) and Anatoliy Konkov marked an era in Soviet football. To wear this jacket is to relive an era of glory, tactics and talent in CCCP football.

Diego Armando Maradona World Cup 86 sweatshirt. For all football fans, Maradona is a universal legend. Regardless of your nationality or the team you support, wearing a retro Argentina World Cup 86 sweatshirt is a way to connect with the passion, history and values of the beautiful game. A special edition of Maradona 86 sweatshirts, T-shirts and slim trousers from the same brand Le Coq Sportif, who dressed the Argentina team in the unforgettable 1986 World Cup, to make you feel part of that historic achievement.

And for those of you who like Asian football and faraway lands we include the Tibet Football Tracksuit Jacket. Wearing a Tibetan football jacket is a way to support their history and identity on a football level. A unique and culturally significant tracksuit jacket representing Tibetan identity in football.

Sevilla jacket from 1970-71. This jacket represents the decade of the 70s, a period that has remained in the hearts of Sevillistas even though it was a complicated period. Max Merkel as coach and with Enrique Lora the team finished third in the league. And also in this decade Biri Biri, nicknamed Alhaji Momodo Njie, the first player from the African continent to play for Sevilla, played for the team. A jacket full of history not to be missed !

Vintage Sevilla FC Sweatshirt 1950

This Real Betis 1960's retro football jacket reminds us of the golden era of President Benito Villamarin. In 1964 Betis finished third in the league. A milestone that we love to remember wearing this jacket for the evenings at the stadium or in the day to day winter.

The Barcelona retro tracksuit jacket from the 1950s, from Helenio Herrera's era as coach, with Kubala and Luis Suárez, the first Spanish Ballon d'Or. Barça won the league and cup double in 1952, 1953 and 1959. The club also reached the semi-finals in the inaugural 1955-56 season and again in 1959-60, in the Champions League, at that time called the European Cup - a real must-win!

For all those who follow Porto FC we propose this Porto Jacket from the 80s. The 1980s was a golden era for Porto FC, marked by their consolidation as a European power. Led by the iconic striker Fernando Gomes, a two-time Golden Shoe winner, the club won domestic titles and its first European Cup in 1987. This period laid the foundations for the international success that defines Porto today.

Liverpool Jacket 2005 Liverpool's 2004-2005 led by Steven Gerrard season was a historic one, with their epic Champions League final victory over AC Milan, in the ‘Miracle of Istanbul’. The team finished runners-up in the League Cup. Although they finished fifth in the Premier League, the European triumph marked a season that English football fans will remember.

Liverpool Retro Jacket - Kid

This 1975-76 Juventus jacket was worn during the Juventus era of Zoff, Gentile, Scirea, Tardeli and Bettega. What more can we say! And also under coach Carlo Parola, special for all Juventus fans inside and outside Italy.

Juventus 1974-75 Sweatshirt rétro

This classic FC Inter 1977-78 jacket is representative of Inter in the 70s. Yes, we're talking about the Inter that started the decade by winning the Scudetto in 1971, the Inter that reached the Champions League final against Cruyff's Ajax and the Inter of Altobelli and Baresi.

AS Roma jacket from the 70s. This AS Roma tracksuit jacket from the 1970s was worn by legends such as Agostino di Bartolomei, Paolo Conti, Sergio Santarini, Domenico Maggiora and De Sisti, among others. In the 1977 season, the year the jacket reproduce, the team finished eighth. This tracksuit jacket is ideal for those who love AS Roma and its long history. What's more, the style of this 70s jacket is unbeatable!

With these retro vintage football jackets and sweatshirts, you'll not only look spectacular, but you'll also attract stares and questions from people who want to know where you found such special football clothing, plus you'll be wearing classics that never go out of fashion!

Retro football shirts, or casual T-shirts, are much more than just clothing; they are a tribute to the most beautiful sport in the world. Inspired by the legendary teams, the epoch-making players, the unforgettable plays and historic moments that remain etched in fans' memories, these shirts capture the essence of football of yesteryear.

Their designs evoke the clubs' original colours and patterns, from iconic stripes to minimalist details that define each era.

Perfect for everyday wear, they combine nostalgia and street wear. Each shirt tells a story, taking you back to epic finals, decisive goals and unforgettable celebrations. With a vintage feel, they are ideal to stand out on any occasion while connecting with the passion of football - get one and carry the spirit of the game with you in its most authentic and trendy form!

1.- JOHAN CRUYFF, ALWAYS

The Cruyff Classics T-shirtS are an iconic tribute to the Dutch genius. With a minimalist and elegant design, they feature an exclusive Cruyff embroidery in the Barcelona team or Feyenoord Rotterdam Tee-shirt or simply his name, capturing his unique essence. It's more than a garment: it's history, style and the spirit of  the Total football star on your skin.

T-Shirt Cruyff Rotterdam

Over the years, the AS Roma shirt has undergone several variations, but the deep red has always been the protagonist, symbolising the passion and struggle of the club. The giallorossa shirt usually bears the AS Roma crest, which depicts the Capitoline she-wolf or the she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, two legendary figures from the founding of the city. In addition, the shirt has been adorned with various sponsors over the years, but its essence remains a strong emblem of the Roma identity. Fans wear it with pride at every match, creating a visual connection to the club's rich heritage.


AS Roma in the 1980s


AS Roma of the 1980s was a golden era marked by the talents of iconic players such as Bruno Conti, Paulo Roberto Falcao, Giuseppe Giannini and Agostino di Bartolomei. These players not only contributed to the club's success, but also left an indelible mark on the history of Italian football. The famous red and yellow shirt became a symbol of pride and passion for the tifosi romanistas, representing an unforgettable era in the sport.

Through these 4 players of the 80's we will know why AS Roma deserves a special mention in this decade of its history:

Paulo Roberto Falcão

Paulo Roberto Falcao, born in Brazil in 1953. He played for AS Roma from 1980 to 1985. He was a legend of the 80's for AS Roma as well as for Brazilian and World football.

After excelling at Internacional de Porto Alegre, where he won three Brazilian championships (1975, 1976, 1979), he made the leap to European football in 1980 when he signed for AS Roma.

At Roma, he became the driving force of the midfield and quickly earned the nicknames ‘Il Divino’ and ‘The King of Rome’ for his great influence at the club.

In 1983, he led Roma to win the Scudetto, a title the team had not won for 41 years. In 1984, they reached the final of the European Cup, where they were defeated by Liverpool on penalties. They also won the Coppa Italia in the 1980-81 and 1983-84 seasons.

 


Agostino di Bartolomei


Agostino Di Bartolomei, born in 1955. He played for 10 years for AS Roma, from 1973 to 1984.  Il Capitano, was a symbol of AS Roma in the 70s and 80s, standing out as a midfielder of great tactical intelligence and leadership.

Captain of the team between 1980 and 1984, he led Roma to the Scudetto in 1983 and played a key role in the 1984 European Cup final.

His elegance and vision made him an icon of the club and a legend respected by the fans, contributing both in defence and attack. Agostino Di Bartolomei won a total of 3 Italian Cups with AS Roma. The titles were won in the 1979-1980, 1980-1981 and 1983-1984 seasons. These achievements, along with the 1983 Scudetto, cemented his legacy as one of the club's great captains.



Bruno Conti

 

Bruno Conti, born on 13 March 1963 in Nettuno, Italy.  He played for AS Roma from 1979 to 1991.

He is considered one of AS Roma's most iconic players. From the moment he joined the club he quickly stood out for his speed and ability as a right winger. Conti was equally instrumental in winning the Scudetto in 1983, as well as the Coppa Italia on several occasions. His vision and ability to assist his team-mates made him a benchmark for the team.

He was also part of the Italian team that won the World Cup in 1982. Conti amassed more than 300 appearances for Roma and left an indelible legacy at the club. His loyalty and talent made him an icon for Roma fans.



Giuseppe Giannini


Giuseppe Giannini, born 1964 in Rome. He played for AS Roma from 1981 to 1996. Nicknamed ‘Il Principe’, he was an elegant and creative midfielder, vital in building the team's play. He is one of the most beloved and iconic figures in the history of AS Roma. Giannini made his first-team debut in 1981 and spent almost his entire career at the club, playing for 15 seasons.

Giannini was one of the team's leaders during the 1980s and early 1990s, noted for his technique, tactical intelligence and playmaking ability. He played a key role in winning the Coppa Italia in 1983-84, 1985-86 and 1990-91. He was also runner-up in Serie A in 1985-86.

At international level, he represented Italy in several competitions, including Euro 1988 and the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where he reached the semi-finals.

His loyalty and commitment to Roma made him a symbol of the club and one of the most respected players by Roma fans.

***

AS Roma represents more than just a football club; it is a symbol of identity and passion for the city of Rome and its supporters. Throughout its history, it has faced ups and downs, but has always maintained its fighting spirit and resilience. With a legacy built on the talent and dedication of its players, Roma continues to be a contender in Italian and European football, looking to add new chapters to its rich history and continue to inspire future generations of Roma fans.

Zidane goal against Bayer Leverkusen Uefa Champions League 2002.

Zidane began his first season as Real Madrid manager in January 2016, when he took over following the sacking of Rafa Benítez. Although it was his first experience managing a top-level team, Zidane quickly proved his ability to manage one of the most demanding clubs in the world.

 

Beginning and Context

Zidane, a club legend as a player, had previously worked as assistant coach to Carlo Ancelotti in the 2013-14 season, when Madrid won the ‘Tenth’ Champions League. He then managed Real Madrid's reserve team, Real Madrid Castilla, before making the jump to the first team in January 2016, when the club was in crisis. The team was five points behind Barcelona in La Liga and had lost some of its playing identity.

 

Transformation of the team

Zidane revitalised the team quickly, improving its morale, the dynamic in the dressing room and the players' confidence. He opted for a balanced line-up and brought back the best version of key players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, Sergio Ramos and Toni Kroos. He introduced a more efficient rotation to keep players fresh in the decisive stages of the season.

 

La Liga and the title race

Although the team finished second in La Liga, Zidane managed to reduce the lead that Barcelona had when he took over and fight for the title until the final matchday. Real Madrid finished the season just one point behind Barcelona, showing a significant improvement on their performance in the first half of the season.

Champions League 2015-16

Real Madrid -  UEFA Champions League 2016

Zidane's greatest success in his first season came in the UEFA Champions League. Under him, the team advanced solidly in the knockout stages, beating the likes of Roma, Wolfsburg, and Manchester City. The final, played in Milan on 28 May 2016, pitted Real Madrid against Atlético de Madrid, repeating the 2014 final. In a hard-fought match, the result was 1-1 after 120 minutes, with the Madrid goal scored by Sergio Ramos. Zidane led the team to victory in a penalty shoot-out, where Real Madrid won 5-3, clinching their 11th Champions League.

 

Initial Impact and Legacy

With this victory, Zidane became the seventh coach in Real Madrid's history to win the Champions League, and the first French coach to do so with Los Merengues. His immediate success as coach generated respect from players and fans alike, cementing him as a leader within the club in less than six months at the helm.

 Zinedine Zidane celebrates the 2016 Champions League title with Real Madrid

Titles in his first season (2015-16)

1. UEFA Champions League 2016

2. European Super Cup 2016 (won in August against Sevilla)

3. FIFA Club World Cup

 

Zidane demonstrated a remarkable ability to manage egos, a deep tactical understanding and a knack for motivating his players, ushering in a historic era of success at Real Madrid. The Real Madrid 2015-2016 jersey symbolises a historic moment for the merengue club: winning the Champions League for the 11th time in 2016, an achievement that reaffirms the club's greatness. It symbolises victory in an epic final, under the leadership of Zidane and with a legendary team.

Zidane has won 3 Champions League titles in a row during his time as Real Madrid coach (2016, 2017, 2018), an unprecedented success. He also won 2 La Liga titles (2016-17, 2019-20) and several other trophies, such as 2 European Super Cups and 2 Club World Cups. A record too hard to beat!

Maradona and Rummenigge - Mexico 86 World Cup - Final Match

First Half: Argentinian Dominance

Argentina started the match taking the initiative, showing their attacking and creative style, with Diego Maradona as the team's driver. After 23 minutes, Argentina took the lead with a goal by José Luis Brown, who scored a header from a free kick by Jorge Burruchaga. The German defence failed to clear, and Brown took advantage to open the scoring. Tata Brown, as he is known, had been assigned to play as a substitute for Passarella who had gastrointestinal problems. Carlos Bilardo, the coach, trusted him because he had previously been his manager at Estudiantes de La Plata. He made no mistake.

Jose Luis Brown - Mexico 86 World Cup - Final Match

Brown had a great World Cup. His grit led him to play much of the game with a shoulder injury. After dislocating his arm, he made a kind of sling out of his shirt to continue playing, showing enormous commitment. His goal remained one of the most memorable images of the 1986 World Cup.

Jose Luis Brown's jersey - Mexico 86 World Cup - Final Match

Second Half: The Lead Increases

In the 55th minute, Argentina extended their lead. In a quick counter-attack, Jorge Valdano, after a long gallop on the left flank, received a pass from Hector Enrique and confidently shot past German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher, putting the game 2-0 in Argentina's favour. At that moment, it seemed that Argentina's victory was assured.

Jorge Valdano - Mexico 86 World Cup - Final Match

The incredible German reaction

However, West Germany reacted. Relying on the key figure of Lothar Matthäus, who was in charge of marking Diego Maradona, and supported by the power of their aerial play, the Germans began to press. In the 74th minute, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge pulled one back for Germany, making it 2-1 from a corner kick.

The German pressure continued, and just 7 minutes later (81st minute), Rudi Völler equalised, also from a corner. Suddenly, the score was 2-2, and the match became very tense, with Germany pushing to try to take it to extra time.

The Victory Goal

But Argentina did not crumble. Just three minutes after the equaliser, in the 84th minute, Diego Maradona came up with a masterful pass from midfield that left Jorge Burruchaga running towards the German goal. Burruchaga ran alone towards the goal and scored perfectly to make it 3-2, unleashing Argentina's joy. With this goal Burruchaga gave Argentina the title. His speed and finishing ability were key to the victory.

Jorge Burruchaga - Mexico 86 World Cup - Final Match

The match ended 3-2 in favour of Argentina, and the players celebrated a historic victory. Diego Maradona, although he did not score in the final, was the star of the tournament and the driving force of the team. Argentina became world champions for the second time (the first was in 1978).

Argentina's 1986 World Cup triumph was the result of a perfect combination of talent, strategy and determination. Under the guidance of Carlos Bilardo and with Diego Maradona as its star player, the Argentine team showed a high level of football and character. Every player, from the stars to the lesser-known, played their part in an unforgettable campaign. The 3-2 victory in the final against West Germany not only sealed Argentina's second World Cup title, but cemented Maradona as a football legend and left an indelible mark on the history of the sport.

Argentina's 1986 World Cup jersey has become a football icon. With its classic white and light blue vertical striped design, it is remembered not only for its simple beauty, but also for the fact that it was the uniform in which Diego Maradona and the Argentine national team won their second World Cup title.

Omar Sívori - Juventus

Omar Sívori - Argentina - Played for Juventus from 1957-1965.  An idol of the 50s and 60s, won three Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia titles and was Ballon d'Or in 1961 as the best European player when he obtained dual nationality. He had played for Argentinean club River Plate, and brought with him the strength and know-how of one of the best teams in Argentinean football. His technique and temperament left their mark on the club's history. He was part of the famous ‘Holy Trident’ along with John Charles and legend Giampiero Boniperti. He joined Juventus after Argentina's victory in the 1957 Copa America.

John Charles - Juventus

John Charles - Wales - Played for Juventus between 1957-1962. Nicknamed ‘The Good Giant’ for his character and physical build, he was a powerful and versatile Welsh centre-forward who partnered Sivori and formed a lethal duo on the pitch and despite difficulties with their respective languages were good friends off the field. The legendary Welsh player won three league titles and two Italian Cups with Juventus. He came from Leeds United and it was at Juventus that he was at his best during his five years at the club. In fact, he was never forgotten and despite leaving Juve in 1962, in 1997, during the Centenary celebrations, he was voted the Bianconeri's best foreign player. In a poll he elected the second best foreign player of all time after Platini.

Luis del Sol- Juventus

Luis del Sol - Spain - Played for Juventus between 1962-1970. This tireless midfielder came from Betis and Real Madrid, where he shared a dressing room with Di Stéfano, Puskas and Gento, a good apprenticeship to apply later at the Italian club. He was the first Spanish player to be part of the Juve squad, a reference in the Juventus of the 60's, winning a league and an Italian Cup. He is considered one of the 50 most relevant players of the Turin Club and was included in the stadium's walk of fame.

These players left a deep mark on the history of the club and the shirts of the era are the best witness; therefore, we leave you the links to our selection of Juventus retro vintage shirts and jackets, Juventus shirts in the 50‘s and Juventus vintage kits in the 60’s.

A final thought on the recruitment of foreign football players

The addition to Juventus of players with diverse styles and experiences, such as Omar Sívori or John Charles brought new tactics and perspectives to Italian football. This gave the team an advantage in a period where the Italian league was starting to become more professional. We could speak of an early globalisation of football: Juventus management quickly understood that football was a global sport and that bringing in international players not only improved the level of play, but also expanded the club's influence internationally.

When travelling abroad was not so popular, this also allowed spectators and fans to admire the play of big football names. These recruitments not only improved the standard of their teams, but also contributed to making football the spectacle it is today and to raising the prestige of the European leagues.

But we must not forget the less positive aspect of this almost century-old trend. This internationalisation taken to the extreme has led to a loss of local identity and emotional connection between fans and clubs. In the past, teams used to consist mainly of local or national players, which generated a stronger sense of belonging among fans and a closer link to the community. Clubs reflected regional culture, values and identity. This has led many clubs to prioritise immediate success over the development of local talent, and some fans feel that their team has lost some of its essence.

In addition, globalisation has increased the economic disparity between rich and poor clubs, creating an elite of dominant teams. This dynamic has generated a nostalgia for the football of yesteryear, when local talent and team spirit outweighed commercial operations and the influence of the global market.

The final question we leave hanging is whether there could be a middle way between these two models?

Olympique de Marseille, with its rich history and fervent fan base, remains a mainstay in French football. Over the years, the club has proven to be a dominant force in Ligue 1, standing out for its passion, quality and tradition. Founded in 1899, OM has not only won multiple national titles, but also won the **UEFA Champions League** in 1993, an achievement that underlines its status on the French scene as the only title to be won in France. Their legacy and contribution to football make Olympique de Marseille an enduring and respected icon in the sport.

In this review we look at a closer look at Olympique de Marseille from the early 2010s, during the 2010-2011, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons, including the team's achievements in each of these campaigns, highlighting the titles won and the most influential players and the OM shirts they wore.

OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE 2010-2011

In the 2010-2011 season the team, coached by Didier Deschampos, who had played for the club in his playing days, finished in 2nd place in Ligue 1, behind only champions Lille. Despite a good campaign, the club failed to retain their title from the previous season. But they won the French League Cup for the second year in a row, beating Montpellier 1-0 in the final. In terms of European championships, OM reached the round of 16 of the Champions League, but was eliminated by Manchester United.

One of the leaders of the team was the legendary Steve Mandanda, the captain and goalkeeper of the team. It was his first spell with the team to which he has dedicated most of his career; he played for the club until June 2022 and is still active today at Stade Rennais. His consistency between at goal was fundamental to the team's success as Ligue 1 runners-up and League Cup winners. Mandanda was one of the main reasons the team maintained a solid defence throughout the season, and his leadership was key in both the league and the Champions League, where they reached the last 16.

STEVE MANDADA OM 2010-2011

OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE  2011-2012

This season Didier Deschamps continued as coach, but left the club at the end of the cycle.

It was a disappointing season for Marseille, as they finished 10th in Ligue 1, well below expectations. But despite a poor league performance, they won their third consecutive League Cup, beating Olympique Lyon 1-0 and the Trophée des Champions.

As for the Champions League, Marseille had a good run, reaching the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Bayern Munich.

André Ayew, the Ghanaian striker, son of the great Abédi Pelé, was also a key player in the Marseille attack. With his speed and ability to score goals, he was one of the team's most consistent players, not forgetting Loïc Rémy who was the top scorer, showing his ability to lead the attack.

ANDRE AYEW OM 2011-2012

OM SEASON 2012-2013

In the 2012-2013 season, OM finished in 2nd place in Ligue 1, behind only PSG. Despite a poor offensive performance, their defensive solidity was key. André-Pierre Gignac was the top scorer with 13 goals, while Steve Mandanda and midfielder Mathieu Valbuena also stood out. Mathieu Valbuena, nicknamed Le petit vélo, was the main playmaker, with several assists, and played a vital role in the team's attack.

In the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue, they were eliminated in both competitions by PSG. In the Europa League, they failed to make it out of the group stage. Still, they managed to qualify for the Champions League.

MATTHIEU VALBUENA OM 2012-2013

ANDRÉ-PIERRE GIGNAC OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE 2012-2013

Olympique de Marseille is a club that stands out for the unwavering passion of its supporters, and it is what truly sets the club apart. OM's fans, with their fervour and loyalty, are the heart and soul of the team, and their constant support reaffirms Olympique de Marseille's position as a giant in both French and European football.

The OM shirts are the most powerful symbol for both the team and the fans. For the supporters, these jerseys represent not only pride and tradition, but also a deep emotional connection to the club. Each jersey carries with it the legacy of each season and the identity of Olympique de Marseille, making each match a celebration of its rich history and a testament to the unconditional love of its fans.

The 1986 World Cup in Mexico remains one of the most iconic tournaments in football history, thanks in large part to the extraordinary performances of Diego Armando Maradona. His leadership, skill and sheer determination led Argentina to their second World Cup victory, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Le Coq Sportif's collection, inspired by Argentina's 1986 national team jerseys, not only pays tribute to Maradona, but also connects with the passionate fans who still revere that historic victory. This article explores the significance of the 1986 World Cup, the legendary status of “el Pelusa” and how Le Coq Sportif's commemorative 1986 Maradona Jersey collection captures the essence of that era for soccer enthusiasts.

The 1986 World Cup: A Historic Triumph

Argentina's journey to victory in the 1986 World Cup is a story of resilience, skill and brilliance, encapsulated by Maradona's unforgettable performances. The tournament is remembered for two of the most famous goals in football history, both scored by Maradona in the quarterfinal match against England. The first, known as the “Hand of God,” was a controversial goal scored with Maradona's hand, not seen by the referee. The second, hailed as the “Goal of the Century,” showcased his unparalleled dribbling skills as he dribbled past five English defenders to score.

The "Hand of God" - Maradona at WC 1986

Maradona and the Goal of the Century World Cup 86 Argentina-England match

These moments are etched in the memory of football fans around the world, symbolizing both the controversy and the beauty of the sport. Not to be forgotten, Maradona also showed his class in the semifinals against the Belgian team, where Maradona scored both of Argentina's goals and in the final against Germany Maradona provided the magnificent assist for Burruchaga's third goal that gave Argentina the title. Maradona's ability to inspire and lead his team under immense pressure was fundamental to Argentina's success. His performance in the tournament earned him the Golden Ball as the best player of the World Cup, cementing his status as a soccer legend.

Maradona: The Heart and Soul of Argentina

Diego Maradona's influence on Argentine football goes beyond his remarkable skills on the pitch. He embodied the spirit of Argentina, a nation that has a deep love and passion for football. Maradona's journey from the slums of Villa Fiorito to the pinnacle of football success is a story of determination and courage. His success resonated with millions of fans who saw him as a symbol of hope and perseverance.

Mural at Maradona's birthplace in Villa Fiorito

Maradona's leadership during the 1986 World Cup was not just about his technical skills. He was a motivator, a fighter and a player who could single-handedly change the course of a match. His ability to inspire his teammates and elevate their performance was crucial in Argentina's triumph. This leadership and connection with the fans made him not just a footballer, but a national hero.

Le Coq Sportif and the Iconic 1986 T-Shirt

Le Coq Sportif, the French sportswear brand, was the official supplier of the Argentina national team's jerseys during the 1986 World Cup. Maradona's ‘86 jersey and those of his teammates became iconic symbols of that historic victory.

Maradona and the Argentina team celebrate victory at the 1986 World Cup.

The classic design of the Maradona 86 jersey, with its light blue and white stripes, has become synonymous with Argentina's footballing success and the legacy of ‘Pelusa’. Le Coq Sportif's collection pays homage to this iconic Maradona shirt, bringing back memories of one of football's greatest moments and capturing the essence of that era with meticulous attention to detail. From the fabric to the design, the jerseys, sweatshirts and trousers are a very skin deep reminder of Argentina's glorious past and the brilliance of Maradona.

Maradona celebrates 1986 World Cup victory

Connecting with Football Supporters

Football is more than just a sport; it is a cultural phenomenon that unites people all over the world. The 1986 World Cup and Maradona's legendary status have a special place in the hearts of football fans. Le Coq Sportif's collection allows fans to relive those moments and feel part of that historic journey.

The Maradona 1986 T-shirt is the most loved by the fans of the Argentina team.

For many fans, wearing a replica of Maradona's 1986 jersey is a way of paying tribute to his legend and the remarkable achievement of the Argentine team. It serves as a reminder of the emotions, excitement and pride that accompanied the World Cup victory. The collection not only celebrates the past, but also connects with new generations of fans who admire Maradona and the history of Argentine football.

The Lasting Legacy and the life of Maradona

Diego Maradona's passing in November 2020 was a moment of deep sadness for the football world. However, his legacy continues to inspire and resonate with fans around the world. The Le Coq Sportif collection is a testament to his lasting influence and the impact he had on the sport.

Maradona's life was a rollercoaster of ups and downs, but his love of football and his incredible talent remain undisputed. He was a player who could transcend the game, bringing joy and passion to millions. The 1986 World Cup was the highlight of his career, and the jerseys from that tournament are treasured symbols of his greatness.

The UEFA European Championship, commonly known as the Eurocup, has been the stage where nations football giants rise to prominence, showcasing their prowess and determination. Among the numerous champions, five nations stand out for their remarkable triumphs: Portugal (2016), Spain (2012), the Netherlands (1988), Germany (1996), and France (2000). These victories are etched in the annals of football history, not just for the trophies won but for the memorable moments and the legends they produced. COPA Football's European Champions shirt collection immortalizes these glorious moments, offering fans a tangible connection to their favorite teams' historic victories.

Portugal 2016: A Triumph Against the Odds

Portugal's journey to their first-ever Euro title in 2016 is one of the most compelling narratives in modern football. Under the stewardship of Fernando Santos, Portugal showcased resilience and determination, characteristics that would define their campaign. Despite a rocky start in the group stages, where they drew all three matches, Portugal advanced as one of the best third-placed teams, a new format introduced for Euro 2016.

The knockout stages saw Portugal's mettle tested repeatedly. They defeated Croatia 1-0 in the Round of 16, thanks to a late goal in extra time by Ricardo Quaresma. In the quarter-finals, they faced Poland and emerged victorious in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, with Lewandowski and Sanches goals. The semi-finals pitted them against Wales, a match where Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani secured a 2-0 victory, sending Portugal to their second-ever Euro fin

The final, held at the Stade de France, was a dramatic encounter against the host nation, France. An early injury to their talismanic captain Cristiano Ronaldo could have demoralized the team, but it only galvanized them. In a game where Portugal were the underdogs, substitute Eder became the unlikely hero, scoring the decisive goal in extra time with a stunning strike from outside the box. This historic 1-0 victory is celebrated with the Football Portugal 2016 European Champions T-Shirt, a testament to their indomitable spirit and the unity that drove them to success.

Spain 2012: A Display of Dominance

Spain's victory in 2012 marked the zenith of an era dominated by tiki-taka football, a style characterized by short passing and movement, working the ball through various channels, and maintaining possession. Under Vicente del Bosque, Spain continued their dominance, having already won the Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The tournament, hosted by Poland and Ukraine, saw Spain at their imperious best. They topped their group with wins over Ireland and Croacia a draw against Italy. The knockout stages were a testament to their tactical prowess and depth of talent. In the quarter-finals, they comfortably defeated France 2-0. The semi-final against Portugal was a tight contest, ending in a goalless draw and going to penalties, where Spain emerged victorious.

The final against Italy, held in Kyiv, was a showcase of Spanish football at its finest. Spain delivered a masterclass, winning 4-0 with goals from David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres, and Juan Mata. This victory marked Spain's third European Championship title and solidified their place as one of the greatest national teams in history. Football Spain 2012 European Champions Embroidery T-Shirt captures the essence of their golden era, allowing fans to relive the magic of their unprecedented success.

The Netherlands 1988: Oranje Glory

The Netherlands' 1988 Euro win remains one of the most celebrated moments in Dutch football history. Coached by Rinus Michels, the architect of "Total Football," the Dutch team was brimming with talent, including legends like Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, and Frank Rijkaard.

The Oranje's journey began with a group stage that saw them defeat England and Ireland, although they lost to the Soviet Union. In the semi-finals, they faced a formidable West Germany in Hamburg. The Dutch overcame their rivals 2-1, with goals from Ronald Koeman and Marco van Basten, setting up a rematch with the Soviet Union in the final.

The final, held in Munich, saw the Dutch triumph 2-0. Ruud Gullit's powerful header opened the scoring, but it was Marco van Basten's stunning volley from an acute angle that became the iconic moment of the tournament and arguably one of the greatest goals in European Championship history. This victory was not just a win but a symbol of Dutch football's philosophy and artistry. COPA Football's Holland 1988 European Champions T-shirt pays homage to this spectacular achievement, celebrating a team that brought joy and pride to their nation.

Germany 1996: A Unifying Victory

Germany's Euro 1996 win was significant as it was their first major title post-reunification. Managed by Berti Vogts, Germany displayed tactical discipline and resilience throughout the tournament held in England. This tournament was won by the "golden goal" rule, adding a new layer of excitement to extra-time matches.

Germany's campaign began with strong performances in the group stage, defeating the Czech Republic and Russia and drawing with Italy. The quarter-finals saw them overcome Croatia 2-1, and a thrilling semi-final against England was decided by a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, showcasing Germany's trademark composure under pressure.

The final against the Czech Republic at Wembley was a tense affair. The Czechs took the lead with a penalty, but Germany equalized through substitute Oliver Bierhoff. The match went into extra time, where Bierhoff scored the tournament's first-ever golden goal, securing a 2-1 victory for Germany. This moment of unity and triumph is beautifully captured in COPA Football Germany 1996 European Champions T-shirt, celebrating Germany's enduring legacy in European football.

France 2000: A Team of Stars

France's Euro 2000 victory underscored their dominance in world football, coming off the back of their 1998 FIFA World Cup win. Coached by Roger Lemerre, the French team boasted stars like Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, and David Trezeguet, blending experience with youthful exuberance.

The tournament, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands, saw France demonstrating skill and flair from the outset. They finished second in the group stage. with wins over Denmark and the Czech Republic, though they lost to the Netherlands. The knockout stages were thrilling, with a quarter-final victory over Spain and a dramatic semi-final win against Portugal, where Zidane's golden goal penalty sent France to the final.

The final against Italy in Rotterdam was a rollercoaster. Trailing 1-0 as the match approached its conclusion, Sylvain Wiltord's last-minute equalizer took the game into extra time. David Trezeguet's golden goal secured a 2-1 victory, making France the first team to win both the World Cup and the Euro back-to-back. This golden era of French football is celebrated in COPA Football France 2000 European Champions commemorative t-shirts, capturing the essence of a team that played with flair and determination.

The Lasting Legacy of Euro Winning Teams through Commemorative T-Shirts

Each jersey, all made in Europe, is carefully crafted, capturing the essence of each national team's group portrait and thus the spirit of the game of the players as a whole. Fans and collectors alike will be able to wear these shirts with pride, commemorating the historic achievements of their national teams and reliving the magic of those unforgettable European Championships.

As its creators say, FEEBERSE will become a "stadium" where everyone will have a place, from content creators to football clubs and journalists to fans. An honest perspective that will create a unique ecosystem in the world.

Their vision is very clear; if football is the only sport on the planet that never rests, if it represents in the universe of networks and communication thousands of hours of content that are consumed by all levels of society on all platforms, why not launch a platform where to concentrate all the talent and content

To this end, FEEBERSE has created a complete catalogue of new elements, functionalities and challenges that complement the quality of the content and build loyalty among the different communities.

Fans, clubs, players, journalists, gamers, brands and institutions will have their own space in Feeberse where they can join the first playable social network.

#feeberse_official #Feeberse #Retrofootball® #ElRetoFeeberse #football #socialmedia #futbol #eurofever #euro24

RETROFOOTBALL is delighted to collaborate with FEEBERSE by providing 100 t-shirts for the #ElRetoFeeberse.

Would you like to be one of the first 50.000 users to use Feeberse?

Red Star Paris - 1970-71

If we look at their slogans, we can see the raison d'être of this French team; ‘money is not everything’ or ‘we go to the stadium to see real football’, ‘the most important thing is the atmosphere’. A club that embraces the multicultural character of Saint-Ouen, the neighbourhood where it is based.

Although positioned between the French second and third divisions in recent decades, it should not be forgotten that the team has spent 24 seasons in the French top flight, its last season in Ligue 1 being 1974-75.

These 24 seasons in the French top flight have given the club pedigree and in fact the Red Star have had in their ranks some outstanding international players, among them no less than the Brazilian Garrincha, the Swedish top scorer Bror Mellberg, or Fyodor Cherenkov who was named Soviet Footballer of the Year on two occasions. The Argentinian Stabile, or Helenio Herrera, the first coach with global fame in the 40s, 50s and 60s, have also played with his shirt.

We always talk about clubs with the best track records in the world, of triumphs, of victories. Today, however, we like to highlight other clubs that make us consider different ways of triumphing.

Among his achievements he has won:

League 2 in 1934 and 1939

The Coupe de France in 1921, 1922, 1923, 1928, 1942.

Their last great feat was eliminating RC Lens in 2021 by 3-2 in the 2020-21 Coupe de France, although they eventually lost in the last 16 to OL Olympique Lyonnais.


We love their retro 70s vintage shirt. It's very simple but it has that touch of that emblematic era.

Camiseta Red Star - 1969-70

The Red Star FC and its way of feeling the sport, championing authentic football. It sends us today a very different light with which the football of the big stars and the football corporations can never compete; the football of always, the football of twinning and illusion.

In February 2022, the association "Le lien culturel Africains.e.V" of Germany organised the players' visit to Germany and contacted us. Retrofootball offered them the historic jersey to commemorate their participation in the 1974 World Cup...

The excitement of this meeting was at its peak with three members of Zaire's national team playing the World Cup in Germany; The midfielder Kibonge Mafu, born in 1945 in Kinshasa, who was called the "Lord of Football" and captain of the club AS Vita of Kinshasa, one of the best players of the 60s and 70s in Africa with an elegant game and with great discipline and leadership skills, the striker Mayanga Maku born in 1948 and who scored 12 goals in the African Cup of Nations, player of the Vclub like his teammate and resident in Belgium. In 2006 he was voted by CAF as one of the 200 best African footballers of the last 50 years. And Raymond Buhanga Tshimen born in 1949, the vice-captain of the Leopards, a player of the TP Mazembe club of Lubumbashi and who in 1973 received the African Golden Ball, a title awarded by France Football to the best players in Africa and which was replaced in 1995 by the African footballer of the year award and won by players such as Samuel Eto'o or Didier Drogba.

During the visit, the Leopards met the mayors of Dortmund and Gelsenkirchen, where Zaire's matches were played during the World Cup.

Visit of Zaire players to Germany. Photos kindly provided by Malungu Donaly who organised the event.

Shirt signing by Zaire players during their visit to Germany. Photos kindly provided by Malungu Donaly who organised the event.

Hear the roar of the legend of the Zaire and Leopard players? We tell you about it below.

1974 World Cup

Let's go back to 1974. To orient ourselves in time, in the year 1974 the first personal computer was marketed, the president of the United States, Nixon, resigned because of the Watergate affair and the arrival of Spanish democracy was at the doorstep as General Franco died in 1975... and even the World Cup was played in West Germany.

The first phase of the 16-player World Cup was played in four groups. The best teams in the world participated, including Brazil, Germany, Uruguay, Argentina, Italy and the Netherlands. We do not find the great teams that have written the history of football, such as France or Spain.

The second phase is also played in 2 qualifying groups with the first two of each group qualifying to play the final and the second two to play the match for third place.

The Polish national team won the match for third place - 0-1 - against Rivelino and Jairzinho's Brazil, a team that had won the 1970 World Cup in Mexico and with this World Cup ended the heyday of Pele's Brazil. Poland's goal was scored by one of the great Polish football legends of all time, Grzegorz Lato, winner of the Golden Shoe.

Beckenbaueur's Germany, who were taking their first steps, would face in the final the Netherlands of Cruyff and Neeskens, who would take the lead in the match and came from a win over Brazil in the semi-final. Germany came back with Müller's late goal to win 1-2 and claim a much-appreciated victory as hosts - their second World Cup title.

This would be the summary story of the World Cup... the story of the big winners, but the other stories are missing, the little big stories without which football would be orphaned and we would dare to say without its essence, which is nothing more than the sporting participation of effort, the epic of the lesser known teams without which football would literally not exist, the cantera where so many players and legends were born, or communities of fervent and dedicated fans like those of the great national or club teams.

Zaire, the first African team to play in a World Cup in 1974

The Leopards of Zaire were the African team that made history at the 1974 World Cup, being the first team from Central Africa to qualify for the World Cup.

To qualify for the World Cup, this team from Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo, had to beat African powers such as Ghana and Cameroon, as well as Morocco, in the qualifying round. But Zaire is a team that had its footballing heyday from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s.  They won the African Cup of Nations in 1974 after beating Zambia 2-0 in the final and winning the semi-final against Egypt 2-3; Egypt is the nation that has won the African Cup of Nations the most times.

This 1974 African Cup of Nations victory was Zaire's second, having won the tournament six years earlier in the 1968 championship in Ethiopia.

Knowing today that Zaire have not won another African Cup of Nations since then, and that they had to wait until 1995 to qualify third in both the 1998 African Cup of Nations in Burkina Faso and the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, we can understand that those triumphant years were golden years for Democratic Republic of Congo football.

African football - The records of the African Cup of Nations winning teams:

We would like to take this opportunity to take a look at the winners of the African Cup of Nations:

1.- Egypt with 7 victories in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010.

2.- Camerún with 5 vittorie in 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002 e 2017.

3.- Ghana with 4 vittorie in 1963, 1965, 1978 y 1982.

4.- Nigeria with 3 vittorie in 1980, 1994 y 2013.

5.- Ivory Coast with 2 triumphs in 1992 and 2015.

6.- Argelia with 2 triumphs in 1990 e nel 2019.

7.- RD Congo (Antiguo Zaire) with 2 triumphs in 1968 and in 1974.

(DR Congo is in seventh place for achieving fewer second and third places than Ivory coast and Algeria).

To date, the DR Congo national team is in 66th place in the FIFA National Team Ranking.

Let's go back to the 1974 World Cup. At that time, the journey of Zaire's football team was not an easy one.

Zaire team in the 1974 World Cup in Germany.

They played in Group B in the group stage against none other than Brazil and also against Scotland and Yugoslavia. Their first match and World Cup baptism was against Scotland at the Westfalenstadion stadium in Dortmund on 14 June 1974. The match ended 0-2 with Scotland winning, with the African team playing a good game. Zaire stumbled against Yugoslavia where they lost 9-0 six days later at the Parkstadion in Gelsenkirchen. Interestingly, Zaire's coach was Yugoslavian national Blagoje Vidinic. Apparently there were pressures and financial problems and the players went on the pitch under pressure and not very focused on the game because of issues that had nothing to do with sporting matters.

Zaire-Brazil match during the 1974 World Cup

After the disaster of the match against the Yugoslavs, the players were alarmed at the possibility of being ridiculed in the match against the ever-feared Brazil; however, they went on to a respectable 0-3 defeat. According to the players that year, there was no shortage of pressure; Zaire was ruled by dictator Mobutu who had staged a coup in 1960 and ruled Zaire in an iron-clad manner. He had pinned high hopes on the team and also put great pressure on the players to come back with a decent result. The pressure reached its peak before the game in Brazil where it seems that the players received threats to their lives if they lost by more than four goals. These threats went unnoticed by the media and therefore we want to focus on the comical part of the episode involving defender Ilunga Mwepu in the face of the defeat to Brazil, which is always reported as a surreal event, but on the extra-sporting conditions of pressure that the players were subjected to and which certainly justify what happened.

The Leopards achieved qualification thanks to the serious and efficient work of their Yugoslavian coach Blagoje Vidinic and the commitment and dedication of their players who were sought after among the best in the country. Hailed as heroes when they ventured to the World Cup in Germany, completely abandoned when they returned; Mobutu seems to have prevented that. We at Retrofootball want to remember their exploits in that German World Cup and pay them a heartfelt tribute.

As the best celebration of these glories of African football, we include the jersey they wore in these matches, a beautiful garment showing the leopard, symbol of the Zaire team and the roar of its players and supporters.

Switzerland '54 - "The Battle of Bern". Brazil was back from the 1950 World Cup, where they had the support of the public and at the same time were one of the favourites to win the tournament. Unfortunately, the World Cup did not go as planned. At the time, the competition was organised in a Italian round, with the winners of each round competing in a single final round to determine the winner. Against all odds, Italy was beaten by Sweden and England by Spain. The final group consisted of Brazil, Uruguay, Sweden and Spain. Brazil's first two matches resulted in two crushing victories against Sweden and Spain, while Uruguay found it much more difficult to reach second place in the group. The final match, with the green-gold team leading with four points and Uruguay second with three, was an unpredictable one. Brazil, the strongest team in the world, was defeated in front of its home crowd at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The almost 200,000 spectators were silenced by Uruguay's second goal, scored by Ghiggia in the 79th minute, which made it 2-1 for the guests. Uruguay became world champions. After the match, dozens of people felt ill and the atmosphere was surreal. The atmosphere was surreal, from the almost unnoticed award ceremony to not singing the national anthem. Years later, Ghiggia would say: 'Only three people silenced the Maracanà with a gesture. Frank Sinatra, Giovanni Paolo II and me.

After the Maracanazo, the Brazilian Football Federation decided to change the colours of the jersey for superstition, which until then had been white with a blue collar. For a few years a blue jersey with white shorts was used, until after the 1954 World Cup, the classic green-gold uniform was introduced.

In the 1954 World Cup, Brazil was placed in Group 1. One of the most important episodes of this World Cup was the match between Seleção and Hungary, which was played to reach the quarter-finals of the competition and which became known as the "Battle of Bern". This match between two of the strongest national teams of the time was marked by a series of episodes. From the expulsion of the Hungarian captain József Bozsik and Nílton Santos at the end of the match, to the invasion of the pitch by Brazilian fans, who were already very noisy during the match. The 'Battle of Berne' ended in defeat for Brazil and several people were injured in the post-match brawl.

Sweden '58- The first World Cup with Seleção. The 1958 World Cup was a triumph for O Rei. Pelé was called up by coach Feola and played his first match against the USSR. He was the youngest player in the tournament and scored his first goal against Wales. At the age of 17, O Rei scored a hat-trick in the semi-final against France and led Brazil into the final to challenge the hosts for the World Cup title. The final between Sweden and Brazil ended in a 5-2 victory for Brazil, with 17-year-old Pelé scoring a brace to become the youngest player to score in a World Cup final. In the 1958 final, one of the most beautiful goals in World Cup history was scored by O Rei with a precise volley. From that moment on, the legend of Pelé began. 

Pelé Brazil 1958 Jersey: short-sleeved shirt with polo neck, completely blue. Designed and manufactured in the style of the 1950s with the Seleção logo on the left side.

Pelé at the 1962 World Cup in Chile. O Rei's second World Cup. The 1962 World Cup was a disaster for Pelé, who was injured in Brazil's second game while attempting a shot from distance. Unfortunately, this injury prevented him from playing throughout the competition. Without Pelé, Brazil managed to win the World Cup that year, led by Garrincha.

Brazil jersey from the 60s. Historic yellow Brazil shirt with green collar.

Pelé at the 1966 World Cup: At the 1966 World Cup, Feola's Brazil was already qualified, having won the 1962 edition. Unfortunately for O Rei, this World Cup was again disappointing. After a heavy intervention by the defender Žekov, Pelé was forced to leave the field again, as it had happened in 1962. He was able to return to the pitch against Eusebio's Portugal, but the hard play that characterised this World Cup made him limp during the match.  Brazil were then defeated 3-1. O Rei was morally affected by these events and said he did not want to play in the World Cup anymore.

Mexico '70: the consecration of the legend. "How do you spell Pelé? G-O-D," wrote the Sunday Times the day after the 1970 World Cup final. The consecration of the Pelé legend came with the 1970 World Cup victory in Mexico, where O Rei was the absolute star. He was a starter from the World Cup qualifiers, playing 6 games and scoring 6 goals. Brazil started on their way to the final, as did Italy. On 21 June 1970, Italy and Brazil played in the final and O Rei opened the scoring for Brazil with a great game. Brazil's superiority led to a 4-1 final and their third World Cup. Like the great Pelé. At the end of the match, the Italian defender Burgnich said: "Before the match I told myself that he was made of flesh and blood, like everyone else, but I was wrong". This was the last World Cup for Edson Arantes Do Nascimento, better known as Pelé.

Brazil 70s jersey. Yellow T-shirt with green round neck. 100% cotton Brazil football shirt made in Europe with the characteristics of the 70s and current technology, for true football lovers.

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The beginnings: Pelé at Santos. The legend of Pelé began in Três Corações, Brazil. Having no money to buy a ball, he played with a bundle of rags and paper. The name Pelé originated at school, when a boy started calling him that as a joke because he mispronounced the name of the goalkeeper Bilé, saying Pilé. As a result, the name by which football consigned this legend to history did not please Pelé himself, who preferred to be called Edson. During his professional career he played almost exclusively for Santos, making his debut on 7 September 1956 against Corinthias, scoring Santos' only goal in a 7-1 defeat.

Used as a regular starter in the team, O Rei was called up to the national team only 10 months later, at the age of 17. His career was full of success and, after the 58th and 62nd World Cups, many European teams, such as Juventus, Manchester United and Real Madrid, tried to sign him without success. In 1961, the Brazilian government declared Pelé a 'national treasure' and prevented any possible transfer of the champion.
In 1969, O Rei, scored his 1,000th goal, and therefore called "O Milésimo", in a penalty shot against Vasco da Gama at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. It took 10 minutes to shoot the penalty. Journalists and fans had to take their places to take a legendary photo.
As for Pele's Santos, in the 1960s and 1970s it was considered one of the best teams in the world and played friendly matches everywhere. An unusual incident occurred when, during a Santos match in Colombia, the referee sent off Pelé and the crowd became so angry that the referee had to leave the field and O Rei had to play again.
The fame and emotion that Pelé transmitted to fans all over the world led to another unique episode in football history. In Nigeria, the two factions of the time were fighting a civil war and in order to enjoy O Rei's plays they decided to sign a 48-hour truce, proving that Edson Arantes Do Nascimento was more than just a sports star. He was the icon of an entire world.
Pelé played 19 seasons with Santos.

Retro Santos jersey from the 60s and 70s. Replica of the Santos jersey identical to the original model. For fans of Brazilian football, this shirt is one of the most popular in our retro football shop.

From NY Cosmos to retirement. In 1975, Pelé was signed by the NY Cosmos, not only because of his technical skills, but also because of the great visibility that a champion like O Rei could bring. The idea was to promote football in the United States using the fame of the greatest footballer in history. Not only Pelé, but also Beckenbauer, Chinaglia and Carlos Alberto. 

After playing three seasons in the United States, Pelé retired on 1 October 1977 playing one last match. A friendly match between the NY Cosmos and Santos, his two teams, which was broadcast worldwide. O Rei played one half with the NY Cosmos and one half with Santos, and at the end of the match he waved to the crowd with Brazilian and American flags in his hands while his teammates carried him on their shoulders. The world had just said goodbye to a champion who transcended the boundaries of football and sport. 

We conclude our journey through the career of the footballer of the century. An athlete who transcended the boundaries of sport and made football fans all over the world dream. We have omitted many anecdotes, but it would not be possible to write Pelé's story in 2000 words.

There is no doubt that football plays an important role in evoking happy moments for many of us. You didn't look at the time, you didn't notice the cold, the rain and the tiredness, but simply played with the ball, that beloved ball that makes us dream and enjoy ourselves to this day. 

Christmas and football are so special that in 1914, during the First World War, they stopped a war by allowing British, German and French troops to play a football match, known as the 'Christmas truce'.

A ball made of rags and the desire to share moments with other people, even if a few minutes earlier they were the enemy. This anecdote is indicative of the fact that a special day like Christmas, combined with the most beautiful sport in the world, leads to aggregation, fun and a sense of family. It doesn't matter who you are, what country you come from or even what you do for a living. There is no difference in front of a ball.

Retrofootball is synonymous with friendship and freedom.

Some original ideas for Christmas presents.

At Retrofootball we know that Christmas presents evoke unique feelings, so we thought football and movie fans couldn't miss out on a unique collection that takes us to one of the most famous football-inspired films. Yes, we're talking about the film Escape to Victory. A great film based on a true story with great movie stars like Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine and football legends like Bobby Moore (captain of the 1966 World Cup winning English team) and the great Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, or better still as O Rey.

Escape to Victory player t-shirt - Touch the photo to see the product

The film takes us back to World War II, where a team of Allied prisoners of war, consisting of Pelé, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, Bobby Moore, Belgium's Van Himst, Poland's Deyna and Argentina's Ardiles, faces a German team in a German prison camp. What was at stake?  Freedom.

At half-time the Germans led 4-1, favoured by the referee's handling, but the Allies came back with determination and won the game with a great save by goalkeeper Hatch (Sylvester Stallone) and a spectacular goal by Pelé with five minutes to go. 

Original football gifts for Christmas 2021

If you're a fan of a legend like Pelé and you're a movie lover, you can find the t-shirt from the film "Escape to Victory" worn by the great O Rey right here on Retrofootball. 

Escape to Victory T-shirt -Touch the photo to see the product

In addition, you can also find the goalkeeper's shirt from 'Escape to Victory' worn by the great Sylvester Stallone. 

Goalkeeper's T-shirt from Escape for Victory - Click on the picture to view the product

You can relive the epicness of these jerseys among the Retrofootball collections.

Christmas, football and cinema in a T-shirt that evokes memories and legendary values of both Christmas and sport.

You could also give a friend or relative a retro leather football, a replica of one used in the 1940s or 1950s. This model faithfully reproduces the football of yesteryear and will decorate your living room or bedroom in a special way.

Do you want more ideas for Christmas presents?

Visit the section dedicated to men's Christmas football gifts selected for Christmas 2021 and make the recipient excited.

We wish you a happy Christmas and many good shopping trips!

Children look forward to Christmas Eve to unwrap presents with their families.

This year you will be the best Santa Claus and we will help you.

We've put together a list of the best Christmas gifts for kids who love football - special gifts that tell the story of football legends to the little ones!

Here are some football gift ideas for children, make the gift even more special by personalising the jersey with their favourite name and number.

Black Friday 2021 is coming! Don't miss the opportunity to buy the best at an incredible price.

5 football ideas for children:

New Team 2º season sport shirt | Kid V2

Every child loves Holly and Benji. The Japanese football champions have enchanted generations with their exploits on the pitch.
Oliver Hutton and all the others.
Choose the T-shirt and give a special present to a child aged 4 to 12.

Touch the photo to see the product :)

Liverpool FC 1989-90 Away vintage football shirt | Kid

Liverpool is one of the most loved teams by children. It is a winning team, with a bright red colour, which has seen many great champions play.

That's why the Liverpool 1989/90 second team shirt is an original gift for a child who loves football. It is the perfect opportunity for him to discover the history of Liverpool FC and its legends.

Real Madrid Retro Shirt 2017/2018 | Kid

Real Madrid 2017-2018 boy's shirt. Real Madrid who won the 13th Champions League against the Reds of Liverpool in the final in Kiev. Gareth Bale shone and it was the last official game of Cristiano Ronaldo in the Los Blancos jersey.

Benji Price T Shirt New Team V2 | Kid

There is plenty of variety in the Captain Tsubasa collection to make a child happy. A useful and fun gift. This T-shirt is perfect to relive the emotions of one of the best Japanese football manga.

Captain Tsubasa cap season 1

We close the list with a hat by Benji Price, the legendary goalkeeper from the animated series Captain Tsubasa. A truly perfect children's football gift - who's the coolest kid in school now? :)

Do you still want more ideas?
Visit the section dedicated to football gifts for children and give a gift that will excite the recipient.

Good shopping!

What to give a football lover? We have the answer: a Christmas present that will excite and last a lifetime.

Retrofootball® will help you find the perfect football gift for him!
You'll save hours of searching on the Internet or walking around the malls and get a better result.

We've put together a list of 5 men's football gifts for Christmas 2021.

Below we have included some gift ideas for a fan or footballer. For those who love football, we have chosen the best gifts to enjoy it with the family.
Choose a unique and original gift for your loved ones.

What to give for Christmas: Vintage football

5 retro football gift ideas.

1. A historic Liverpool FC shirt

You only have to say 'You'll Never Walk Alone' to know what you're talking about.

Liverpool's football culture is I-M-P-R-E-S-S-I-V-E.
As is this Reds shirt. In the official collection of vintage Liverpool shirts you can find some real gems like this one that will blow the minds of those lucky enough to receive it.

An original gift for lovers of football and sports fashion. Whoever receives this jersey as a gift "will never walk alone".

Liverpool Retro Jersey 2000

2. Chelsea Vintage Shirt 2010/2011

A shirt worn by memorable legends.

It is one of the most beautiful Chelsea F.C. jerseys! The official jersey worn by legends such as Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard. 

It is the perfect gift for a football lover! (If you're a fan of another team, read on below...)

Chelsea Vintage Shirt 2010/2011

If your friend is not a Chelsea fan, don't worry!

We have vinage shirts and sweatshirts from Arsenal, Manchester united, Manchester city and many others!

Choose your original football gift in our section dedicated to historic premier league shirts.

3. COPA Retro Ball 1950's

We propose a football from the 1950s. A unique object to relive the exploits of the greats of the past! 

The perfect gift for a football fan and collector.

 

COPA Retro Ball 1950's

4. Newteam 1º season jacket  | Black

A sweatshirt that takes you back to the fields of Japan's most famous football manga.

If you are looking for an original football gift for your boyfriend, friend, brother or cousin, this could be a great choice.

This is the sweatshirt from season 1 of the Japanese manga Tsubasa. How many times have we watched their exploits on the world's most famous football pitch. The strongest player and the best goalkeeper in the manga that created a legend.

A sweatshirt that can be stylishly matched, to give as a gift to an original man or a fan of Japanese manga. One word to describe it. Unique. 

Newteam 1º season jacket  | Black

5. Maradona's 1986 commemorative jersey.
The commemorative shirt of the greatest ever.

On the first anniversary of the death of the greatest footballer of all time, we have decided to include this commemorative shirt of Diego Armando Maradona's Argentina 1986 as a gift idea for a football fan. There are no colours in front of a champion of this calibre. Every football fan has watched and rewatched his exploits.

A boy born in Lanús who became a legend.

A perfect gift for a man who makes football his passion.

Maradona 1986 Commemorative Jersey

BONUS: The Retrofootball® Gift Card

Choosing a football shirt for others is not so easy! If you prefer the person receiving the gift to choose their own retro jersey or vintage jacket, choose our Retrofootball® Gift Card.

You can choose what you like best! From € 50 to € 250, our Gift Cards are sent by email to the gift recipient, detailing all the steps to use it when you check out.
A special Christmas gift that you can buy in minutes!

Football gift ideas | Retrofootball® gift card

Thrill and surprise a young football fan, footballer or fan. Give historical football jerseys as a gift; your friend or girlfriend will remember it forever.

Since 1955, the year of its foundation according to the French sports newspaper L'Équipe, the club that has won the most trophies is Real Madrid, with 13 titles. It is followed by AC Milan with 7 trophies and tied with 6 titles are Bayern Munich and Liverpool. Then, there is FC Barcelona with 5 and Ajax with 4 cups. Spain is the country with the most titles with a total of 18, followed by the English teams with 13 trophies and the Italians with 12.

After this short list, to keep you entertained by remembering the most epic matches, we have prepared a TOP 5 with the best Champions League finals played so far. How many do you remember?

Best Champions League final

5. AC Milán 4 - 0 FC Barcelona, 1994

Johan Cruyff's Barcelona against Fabio Capello's Milan. The Catalan club were considered favourites from the beginning, as they were in the middle of the Cruyff era and his 'Dream Team', but the result was not as expected. Milan dominated the match from the beginning and managed to beat one of the best teams of all time with an avalanche of goals from Daniele Massaro, Dejan Savicevic and Marcel Desailly.

4. FC Barcelona 3 - 1 Manchester United, 2011

Barça were superior throughout the match, but what makes this final special is the incredible play of the Catalans. Even Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson said they faced the best team of his career. Goals from Pedro, Messi and David Villa for Barcelona; and Rooney for Manchester United. A victory that brought the third Champions League title for FC Barcelona.

3. Real Madrid 4 - 1 Atlético de Madrid, 2014

Simeone's Atlético, as well as reaching the Champions League final, had managed to win the Spanish league that season. But, in the final, they had to face a team, Real Madrid, eager to win their long-awaited tenth cup. Atlético Madrid took the lead with a header from Diego Godin and managed to keep it for most of the match until the 93rd minute. It was in stoppage time that Sergio Ramos equalised for the Blancos, and they managed to reach extra time, where Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo scored three goals to give Real Madrid 'la décima' against their great rivals.

2. Manchester United 2 - 1 Bayern de Múnich, 1999

Manchester United beat Bayern Munich in one of the best Champions League finals in living memory to become the first English club to win the treble. The Germans took the lead after just six minutes through Mario Basler and, although they did not dominate the game, they managed to hold on until the first minute of extra time. It was then that Teddy Sheringham equalised to the anguish of the Bayern fans. What nobody could have expected was that in the 93rd minute, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with a goal from the spot, would score and give the English the win.

1. AC Milán 3 - 3 Liverpool (2 - 3 penaltis), 2005

Milan, the clear favourites to win the final, took a 3-0 lead in an extraordinary first half, with goals from Paolo Maldini in the first minute and two more from Hernan Crespo. But, after the break, in eight epic minutes Liverpool managed to tie the game with goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso. The tension went all the way to penalties, where Liverpool prevailed in a heart-stopping game that has since been remembered as 'the miracle of Istanbul', the city where the 2005 final was played

⚽ Discover the best retro football shirts in our online shop.

We at Retrofootball are passionate about football. Our team has always been passionate about football cards and World Cup and Premier League collections since we were children. It is hard to forget the moment when you receive the last card in a collection and complete the album. I am sure that many of you remember the moment when you received the last card of the Italia 90 World Cup.

With this as a starting point, today we discover the world of digital football cards with blockchain support. To do so, we analyse 'SORARE', a game produced by the Paris-based company Ubisoft. The uniqueness of this platform resides in the idea of combining the most popular sports game, fantasy leagues (such as fantasy football) and blockchain technology, in particular Non Fungible Tokens (NFT). This means that players bought and fielded in matches by users are NFTs.

What are NFTs?

"Non-Fungible Token" means, in this case, "non-fungible assets". Non-fungible means not replaceable. The player cards I buy will be NFTs. The ownership of these purchased cards is then certified by blockchain technology, thanks to which the card has an economic value. 

How to play?

First of all, you need to create an account which will be used for future access to the platform. Then you will be able to customise your name, the name of your team and your badge.

Once you have completed your team, which must consist of five players (one for each position) with the addition of a fifth player who can be of any position except goalkeeper, you will have several leagues to play in. 

Each available league has different rules that will be explained during the formation of your team. In order to win a league, you have to reach a certain score, which match after match is calculated based on the performance of the players in the real world using the OPTA statistics platform. The process is therefore the same as we are used to with classic fantasy football.

The difference, however, is that the way in which the scores are awarded is much more detailed than in a normal fantasy football.

Most leagues have rewards in terms of money and also cards (players) that will be added to our team. The first league available for beginners is the Rookie Starter League where users will be able to field all 5 "common" players that will be provided when they register on the platform. 

What do "common" cards mean?
Cards on the platform are divided into "common", "rare", "super rare" and "unique".

• Common cards are those which are supplied at the start of the game. They are free, but have no economic value.
• "Rare" cards: only 100 cards are minted each year. They can be bought and used on the platform to enter certain leagues with better rewards.
• "Super rare" cards: 10 "super rare" cards are coined every year, where the price and value are higher than for common and rare cards.
• "Unique" card: 1 "unique" card each year that will be the most prestigious and valuable card. 

The rarity of these cards is certified by the blockchain, so there is no chance of errors or scams. The rarer the card, the higher the price to buy them and the more economic value it will have. Another key part of the platform is the possibility to buy cards at auction or directly from another user. 

A special feature of the SORARE platform is the possibility to obtain cards of legendary players such as Javier Zanetti, Ronaldo, Cannavaro, Platini, Maradona, Casillas and many others.

In addition to the economic value of the legendary card, once a month a special event is created where the legendary card will get the highest rating of the current player playing in the same club and in the same position as the legendary player.SORARE is therefore a rapidly evolving platform that attracts millions of football and technology fans. It is a brand that we have always liked and was born 100% in the digital world.

Afterwards, we will continue to publish more articles about the phenomenon of digital fantasy football linked to blockchain technology.

Let's take a look at the Champions League winners and the history of the competition by day:

The Champions League in the 1950s 

Only one team won the Champions League in the 50's. That's right.

Real Madrid beat Reims in 1956, AC Milan in 1957, AC Florence in 1958 and Reims again in 1959. They had an impressive team and the best footballer of the 1950s, two-time Ballon d'Or winner, Alfredo Di Stefano, who won the first 5 European Cups with Los Blancos from 1956 to 1960.

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The European Champions Cup of the 60s

The 1960s began with a new star of European football, the Black Panther, Eusebio. Benfica won the first two European Cups of the decade. Then it was the turn of the Milan clubs: AC Milan and FC Inter. In 1967 the trophy changed, taking on the characteristics of the current versions, and the first team to win this trophy was Celtic. Finally in 1968 Manchester United (the team of George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law) lifted the trophy by defeating Eusebio's Benfica, and in 1969 AC Milan won the Cup again.

Manchester United (the team of George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law) won the Cup again.

The 70s Decade of the European Top-Tier Tournament

Only 5 clubs won the Champions League in the 1970s. Feyenoord won their first and only Champions Cup thanks to their coach, the great Austrian Ernst Happel. The trophy stayed in the Netherlands for 3 years, as Cruyff's Ajax won 3 consecutive European Cups thanks to the Total Football of Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff. The same feat was achieved by Bayern Munich of Beckenbauer and Müller under Udo Lattek. Bob Paisley brought two Champions League titles to Liverpool in 1977 and 1978. Brian Clough and Peter Taylor wrote a better tale than Robin Hood: Nottingham Forest won the Champions League in 1979, and repeated again in 1980.

The European Champions Cup in the 1980s

In the 1980s the Champions League reached 6 countries. Nottingham Forest won the 1980 edition: the club has more European Cups than Premier League titles. Liverpool FC won their 3rd (1981) and 4th (1984) UCL. Aston Villa were the surprise package of 1982. HSV Hamburg finally won the Champions League in 1983. Juventus won their first European Cup in 1985. The only Romanian football club to win the trophy was Steaua București (1986). FC Porto won the first Champions League in 1987. PSV became the third Dutch club to lift the trophy in 1988. Then, AC Milan of Sacchi dominated the last two years of the competition.

The 1990s and the Birth of Modern Champions League

Red Star Belgrade was a big surprise in 1991. FC Barcelona, Olympique Marseille and Borussia Dortmund won the trophy for the first time in their history. Italian clubs played 8 of the 10 finals: AC Milan won Champions Cup number four and five in their history, Juventus won the second. Real Madrid returned to win the title after 32 years. Sir Alex Ferguson won his first Champions Cup with Man United in 1999.

Champions League – The 2000s

In the 2000s all the clubs that won the Champions League had already won the trophy in the past. Real Madrid, AC Milan, and FC Barcelona lifted the trophy twice in those years; Bayern Munchen, Porto, Liverpool and Manchester United made history again.

The Champions League between 2010 and 2019

In the last 10 years, Real Madrid was the king of the Champions League. By winning 4 trophies they reached the 13th Champions Cup in 2018. But the 2010s also saw a new champion of the competition, being Chelsea of Di Matteo, the surprise package of the 2012 edition. FC Barcelona won the Champions League twice, Bayern won another trophy against their closest rival in Germany Borussia Dortmund. The first and the last of the finals of this decade were played in Madrid: in 2010 FC Inter lifted the Cup at the Bernabéu, in 2019 Liverpool FC won the Champions League again at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.

After another title from FC Bayern Munich and Chelsea FC in 2020 and 2021 the new season has begun and the 2021/22 Champions League round is starting. Who will win the 2021-2022 Champions League?

Retrofootball® is pleased to present the new Real Betis Balompié vintage jerseys collection. Betis is one of the most popular clubs in the Spanish League, with a large following both in Andalusia and elsewhere. In fact, it has one of those phrases that every grey-haired football fan remembers: "Viva el Betis, manque pierda" (Long live Betis even if they lose).

The Shirt of the 1935 Champions of Real Betis

The traditional Betis shirts collection begins with a shirt that is particularly symbolic of the Club's history. In this Republican era in Spain, the green and white club was able to win the league title in 1934/35. Their first and only league title came after a hard-fought battle with Madrid C.F., today known as Real Madrid C.F. Betis earned 34 points, one more than the white squad, thanks to a fantastic long sleeve shirt with a V-neck, 100 percent cotton, and the legendary shield of the 30s.

The Shirt of the Unforgettable Penalty drama and the Real Betis 1977 Copa del Rey Victory

The next model in the collection is well-known among Betis fans. The 1977 Copa del Rey final between Athletic Club and Real Betis was held at Madrid's Vicente Calderón stadium, shortly after the country's return to democracy. A thrilling encounter that finished in a 1-1 tie. Despite goals from Dani and López, extra time did not influence the outcome, as the game finished in a 2-2 tie. After 19 penalty kicks, goalkeeper Esnaola scored against Iribar, while the latter missed his own, giving Los Verdiblancos the title. Betis were thus proclaimed champions of the Primera Copa del Rey.

Betis had a great team at the end of the 70s with legends of the Club such as Esnaola, Biosca, Cardeñosa and López, scorer of the two goals in the final. Cardeñosa led the Spanish midfield in the Argentina 78 World Cup.

The Legendary Expo Shirt of Real Betis Sevilla between 1987 and 1990

Another memorable item in the collection is the Betis shirt from the late 1980s. It was a very special time for the city of Seville and for Spain because the city hosted the Universal Expo. Barcelona held the Olympic Games that year, and Madrid won the consolation prize of European Cultural Capital. The Expo 92 logo is proudly shown on the Betis shirt from that season. Because it is composed of 100% polyester, you can wear it to the beach with your friends or to a summer match.

We hope you love our new line. Shirts that will make you feel like you're never alone when you're watching Real Betis or hanging out with your buddies in a bar. Retrofootball® enjoys reviving football legends, and we are confident that this collection will leave you with green and white skin.

France has a special talent for football, which is why they are two-time world champions and two-time European champions. Truly memorable players have worn the France jersey: Zinedine Zidane, Michel Platini, Thierry Henry, Éric Cantona, Jean Tigana and Lilian Thuram are some of the most memorable, as well as an example of the cultural and ethnic melting pot that is France.

Les Bleus, as the French national team is known, are always favourites in any competition, as are their outfits. That's why we'll take a look at the history of France's jersey and crest, showing their most famous designs and the best anecdotes from over 100 years of history. 

History of the France jersey and coat of arms

Since their first official match against Belgium in 1904, the French team's outfit has undergone many transformations. And although they are known as Les Bleus, the famous blue jersey was not established as the main kit until 1919 with the creation of the French Football Federation. It may seem surprising, but France's first outfit was white until then and the now legendary blue jersey was relegated to the second model.

The jersey

To start with a curiosity about the history of France's jersey, the colours of their first three outfits are blue, white and red like the colours of the French flag. They usually wear their first outfit, for which they are best known and remembered, with a blue jersey, white shorts and red socks. But sometimes, outside France, they wear their second all-white suit or their third suit with a red shirt, blue shorts and blue socks.

As for the brands that created France's jerseys, the French brand Le Coq Sportif was responsible for the suits from 1966 to 1971, when they reached an agreement with Adidas, the brand that created some of France's most iconic jerseys. Adidas, for example, created the shirts that won the 1984 and 2000 European Championships and the 1998 World Cup. Of course, the brand with the three stripes is the most remembered in the history of France's jerseys, but since 2011 the French Football Federation has signed a contract worth millions for Nike to be the new supplier of the models.

The periods with the different brands:

• 1938 - 1966 Allen Sport
• 1966 - 1971 Le Coq Sportif
• 1972 - 2010 Adidas
• 2011 - 2026 Nike 

The blue jersey:

Obviously, the blue jersey is the emblem and soul of the French team, which is why they are nicknamed Les Bleus. The first game in which the French national team wore the traditional blue jersey, white shorts and red socks was against England in 1908. But it wasn't until 1919, with the creation of the French Football Federation, that the blue jersey became the first official outfit.

The white jersey:

It was the main outfit until 1919, when it was relegated to the team's third jersey. As a curiosity, between 1919 and 1960 it was only worn on one occasion and that was against Scotland in 1948. From the decade of the 1960s onwards, the increasingly frequent television broadcasts of football matches forced teams to have a change of pattern in contrast, as television was in black and white. It was then that the white jersey of the French national team became the second official outfit.

The red jersey:

Historically, the red jersey was the second suit, with its white shorts and blue or red socks, depending on the occasion. But since the 1960s it has been displaced as the third kit and has only been worn on a few occasions. One of them, quite remembered, is in 2008 in a friendly against Spain, with the curiosity that the official model of Spain is also red and, on that occasion, played in yellow.

The coat of arms

The coat of arms of the French national team includes a Gallic Rooster, one of the symbols of the country and which has represented the French nation since the Renaissance. In its evolution, three eras can be distinguished in terms of design, but always remaining faithful to the Gallic Rooster. In 1998 a star was added after winning the first World Cup and in 2018 the second star was added. It has always been possible to see the initials of the French Football Federation.

The most iconic jerseys of the French national team

1. France 1919

The first blue suit of the French national team and for which they are nicknamed Les Bleus.

2. France World Cup 1958

With this outfit, France played the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, reaching the semi-finals when they were eliminated by Brazil. But the truly epic anecdote of the French national team in that World Cup is the 13 goals scored by the recalled Just Fontaine and thus leading (along with Ronaldo with 15 goals for Brazil and Gerd Müller with 14 for Germany) the lists of top scorers in a World Cup. In our shop you can get the jersey of France in the 1958 World Cup.

3. France World Cup 1966

The 1966 World Cup was held in England. The French team did not make it past the first round, but their legendary V-neck jersey marked an era. You can also get the France 1966 World Cup jersey in our shop.

4. France Euro 1972

The first jersey that Adidas designed for the French national team is a classic that now looks very vintage. You can get a replica of the France jersey in our shop.

5. France World Cup 1978

The strangest jersey ever worn by the French national team was at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, when they had to wear the jerseys of a lowly Argentine team. The story goes that FIFA made a mistake and both France and Hungary turned up for the game in their second suits, both white, so the solution was for France to wear the green and white kit of Atletico Kimberley.

6. France World Cup 1982

Naranjito's famous World Cup, played in Spain and in which the French team reached the semi-finals wearing this shirt.

7. France Euro 1984

The 1984 European Championship took place in France and, as hosts, their team managed to win the cup in a hard-fought final against Spain. Michel Platini was the top scorer of the tournament.

8. France World Cup 1986

At the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, the French national team took a well-deserved third place in this classic Adidas jersey.

9. France Euro 1992

The 1992 European Championship was held in Sweden and the French team was eliminated in the first round while wearing this shirt.

10. France World Cup 1994

The 1994 World Cup in the United States is one of the most memorable, as is this France jersey that Adidas designed for the occasion.

11. France World Cup 1998

In 1998 the French national team was playing the World Cup at home, so Adidas set about creating this legendary jersey with which France won the World Cup for the first time.

12. France Euro 2000

With this outfit, the French team won the cup in a hard-fought final against Italy at Euro 2000, which was played jointly in Belgium and the Netherlands.

13. France World Cup 2006

During the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the national team wore this beautiful jersey and reached the final, losing on penalties to Italy.

14. France Euro 2016

Hosting Euro 2016, the French national team managed to reach the final in this jersey, although they were unlucky and lost to Portugal.

15. France World Cup 2018

With this jersey, France won the 2018 World Cup in Russia, in a hard-fought final against Croatia to win their second World Cup.

⚽ Check out the retro France jerseys we have in the Retrofootball shop.

The Italian national team played for the first time in its legendary blue jersey on 6 January 1911 against Hungary. But why is Italy's jersey blue? Read on, because we will explain the history of the Italy jersey, introduce you to its most legendary jerseys and tell you many anecdotes that you will love.

Because the history of 'Gli Azzurri' or the 'Squadra Azzurra', as the Italian national football team is known, is the history of European and world football. The history of the Italy shirt worn by Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini, Giuseppe Meazza or Paolo Rossi is revealed in the following lines.

History of the Italy jersey

The jersey worn by Italy in its first official match on 15 May 1910 was white. Do you like it? In that first match against France, the Italians had not yet agreed on what colour to choose, so they opted for white, because it was neutral or colourless.

Although there is another theory that says they chose white because it was the colour of Pro Vercelli, which was the strongest team in Italy at the time. Incidentally, Italy beat France 6-2 in that first official match.

The first Azzurra jersey

The first Azzurri jersey was worn a year later against Hungary (lost by Italy 1-0), as we have already told you above. It was at the Arena Civica in Milan and with 5,000 spectators in the stands that "Gli Azzurri" earned their nickname by wearing blue for the first time.

But why? The explanation is more historical than sporting: according to the director of the Football Museum of the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio, the decision was taken because 'Savoia blue' was the colour of the flag of the Royal House of Savoy. Since then, Italian national teams in various sports have worn blue and the white jersey has become the away uniform.

Mussolini's black jersey

During Mussolini's regime, the Italian national team also wore all-black jerseys as their second uniform, a clear allusion to the Fascist symbolism of the paramilitary groups known as 'black shirts'. This was the case in 1935 in a friendly against France and in some matches at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the 1938 World Cup.

But apart from that brief interlude, the Italian national team always wore blue, with a second white kit. As for the rest of the kit, the kit was initially completed with white shorts and black socks, later also changing to blue socks.

Goalkeepers' shirts

The first Italian goalkeeper uniforms were black. As early as the 1950s, goalkeeper kits began to innovate with the introduction of grey shades with blue collars and cuffs. From the 1980s onwards, with the advent of bolder fashion and new textile production techniques, Italian goalkeepers began to wear silver metallic shades.

One of the most remembered goalkeeper shirts is the 1994 one, still in silver or grey, but with red, white and blue on the zigzag sleeves. Since the mid-1990s, the designs have changed depending on the brand, but generally in shades of red or green. Gianluigi Buffon is the goalkeeper who has worn the goalkeeper's jersey the most times for Italy, being the Italian player who has played the most times for the national team. 

Manufacturers of Italy's football kits

The first brand to design the Italy jersey was Adidas in 1974, although they did not include any major innovations and the jersey continued with its classic blue design and without any visible Adidas brand or logo. Because as a curiosity, until 1999 with the arrival of Kappa, suppliers were forbidden by the Federazione Italiana Gioco Calcio to put their branding or other design elements on jerseys.

Since 2003, thus completing almost the entire century, Puma brand has been responsible for the suits of the "Squadra Azzurra". In the following list you can see the different suppliers who have taken care of the uniforms of the Italian national team:

• 1974 - 1978 Adidas
• 1978 - 1979 Baila
• 1979 - 1984 Le Coq Sportif
• 1984 - 1985 Ennerre
• 1985 - 1994 Diadora
• 1994 - 1999 Nike
• 1999 - 2003 Kappa
• 2003 - 2021 Puma

The evolution of Italy's emblem

The first emblem that the Italian national team wore on its shirt was the Savoy Cross, the national emblem until the birth of the Italian Republic. During the Fascist dictatorship of Mussolini, a Roman bundle, the emblem used by the regime at that time, was added to the insignia of the Savoy cross. With this coat of arms, Italy won the 1934 and 1938 World Cups, as well as the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

After the Second World War, once the fascist regime was defeated and the monarchy abolished, the coat of arms became the tricolour flag of Italy. Over the years, the coat of arms has changed shape, being round, rectangular or moving from the left side to the centre of the chest and then back to the left side.

In the 1950s, the coat of arms was crowned with the word 'ITALIA' in capital letters, and later the initials of the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC) were also included. The emblem remained this way until 1983, after the World Cup victory in Spain the previous year, when three golden stars were added in place of the word 'ITALIA'. This emblem lasted only a year, as in 1984 it was changed to incorporate the word "ITALIA" and the initials "FIGC" again, keeping the 3 stars but in a rounded shield.

During the 1990s the coat of arms was renewed, creating controversy and not being to the liking of the fans. The new coat of arms was in the form of a trapezoid crowned by a blue dot, including the three stars, the tricolour flag and the name of the "Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio".

In 2005, a complete redesign of the coat of arms was done, giving it a new shape and including the new logo of the Federazione Italiana Gioco Calcio (Italian Football Federation), as well as the tricolour and the three stars of the world championships won. From September 2006 it would be four stars, having won the World Cup that year in Germany.

The latest design change was made in 2017, with the idea of creating a modern emblem but with the classic elements of Italy's coat of arms. Crowned by the four stars of the World Cup and with the tricolour flag that hasn't left the shield since 1952.

Most famous shirts of Italian National Team

1. Italy World Cup 1934

Italy won the 1934 World Cup with this jersey against a Czechoslovakia that was ahead on the scoreboard and in a very balanced match. In the end, the Italians won 2-1 with goals from Raimundo Orsi and Angelo Schiavio, also thanks to the famous coach Vittorio Pozzo, the only coach who managed to win the World Cup twice, as Italy won the World Cup again in 1938.

2. Italy World Cup 1938 (second uniform)

The 1938 World Cup was held in France and the Italian national team won the title again. Dominating the championship, they reached the final against Hungary, whom they defeated 4:2 with two goals from Gino Colaussi and two goals from Silvio Piola, making the Italians champions again.

3. Italy World Cup 1966

The Italian national team participated in the 1966 World Cup, held in England in this shirt, although they were eliminated in the first round, finishing third in their group behind the Soviet Union and North Korea.

4. Italy European Championship 1968

The 1968 European Championship was held in Italy, and Yugoslavia and the hosts, wearing this shirt, reached the final. The match ended in a 1-1 draw and after extra time the tie continued, so another final was played two days later to break the tie. This time Italy dominated the match and beat Yugoslavia 2 - 0 with goals from Gigi Riva and Pietro Anastasi.

5. Italy European Championship 1968 (second uniform)

The classic second white uniform of Italy with whom he played the 1968 European Championship.

6. Italy World Cup 1970

In the 1970 World Cup held in Mexico, the "Squadra Azzurra" finished second wearing the same jersey as in the 1968 European Championship. Mythical vintage Italy 1968 - 1970 jersey with rounded collar that can be found in Retrofootball. Gianni Rivera, the "Golden Child" for winning the Ballon d'Or a year earlier, was one of the stars of that World Cup.

7. Italy World Cup 1982

The Italians won the World Cup for Naranjito, the legendary mascot of the 1982 World Cup held in Spain. For the occasion, 'the Azzurri' wore a beautiful V-neck T-shirt, which you can find in Retrofootball: buy Italy's 1982 World Cup shirt.

8. Italy World Cup 1982 (second uniform)

How could it not be otherwise, the second uniform worn by Italy in the 1982 World Cup we also have in Retrofootball: buy the 2nd Italy outfit of the 1982 World Cup.

9. Italy World Cup 1990

The World Cup Italia 90 is one of the most remembered competitions in history. The Italian team was eliminated by Argentina in the semi-finals, but the Italia 90 shirt with the rounded coat of arms is a classic for all fans. It was also Paolo Maldini's first World Cup (he would later play three more).

10. Italy World Cup 1994

Italy finished second in the 1994 World Cup, held in the United States. This shirt of Italy in the 1994 World Cup with the number on the chest is one of the most beautiful of that championship, but most remembered, without doubt, was Mauro Tassotti's elbowing of Luis Enrique in the quarter-final between Italy and Spain.

11. Italy European Championship 2000

Belgium and the Netherlands hosted Euro 2000. The Italian team went all the way to the final in this jersey, but lost to France in a thrilling match that was settled in extra time with the 'golden goal'.

12. Italy World Cup 2006

The Italian national team won its fourth world championship in Germany in 2006. They reached the final against France and after the match and extra time ended in a 1-1 draw, the match was decided on penalties.

13. Italy World Cup 2006 (second uniform)

Another legendary white Italy shirt as a second outfit for the no less legendary 2006 World Cup in Germany.

14. Italy European Championship 2012

Poland and Ukraine as hosts at Euro 2012 and Italy again in a final. Although this time they would be defeated by Spain 4-0.

⚽ Check out the Italy retro jerseys we have on Retrofootball.

The History of the EURO

The first European Championship was held in France in 1960, but the concept of holding a European-level national football tournament dates back much further. The French Football Federation, led by Henri Delaunay, unveiled the concept in 1927, but it would take more than thirty years to become a reality. Delaunay, who would go on to become UEFA's first General Secretary, was a big fan of the European tournament, which is why the trophy bears his name.

The European Championship, or European Nations Cup, as it was originally called, was not very important in its first two editions in 1960 and 1964. It wasn't until 1968 that the tournament gained traction in Europe, thanks in part to the implementation of a group-based qualifying system, as was already in place for the World Cup.

The modern era of European Championship history began in 1980, when Artemio Franchi, then-president of UEFA, proposed increasing the number of teams in the finals to eight. The final stage was expanded to sixteen teams divided into four groups in the 1996 edition. In addition, the famous "golden goal" rule, which states that the first team to score in extra time wins the match, was introduced in that edition's final.

The 2000 European Championship was the first to be co-organized by two countries: Belgium and the Netherlands. This formula was used again in 2008, with Austria and Switzerland as hosts, and again in 2012, with Poland and Ukraine as hosts. The big difference in the 2021 edition, which will keep the name Euro 2020, will be that the venue will be shared between 11 cities across Europe, with the 24 participating teams competing for the trophy once again.

The Winners of the European Championship

With three titles each, Spain and Germany are the two national teams that have won the European Championship the most times in its history. After winning the tournament for the first time in 1964, Spain is the only team to have won it twice in a row, in 2008 and 2012. Despite the fact that the German team has played more games, scored more goals, and won more games.

National Team	Titles	Years
Germany	3	1972, 1980, 1996
Spain	3	1964, 2008, 2012
France	2	1984, 2000
Russia	1	1960
Italy	1	1968
Czech Republic	1	1976
Portugal	1	2016
Netherlands	1	1988
Denmark	1	1992
Greece	1	2004

All-Time Top Scorers of the EURO Championship

This competition has featured some of Europe's best players, including Michel Platini, Cristiano Ronaldo, Antoine Griezmann, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Patrick Kluivert, Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Nuno Gomes, who were the top scorers in the Euro finals. The goals scored by each of them, as well as the first English scorer in the ranking, Alan Shearer, are shown in the table below.

Puesto	Jugador	Goles
1	Michel Platini	9
=	Cristiano Ronaldo	9
3	Alan Shearer	7
4	Antoine Griezmann	6
=	Ruud Van Nistelrooy	6
=	Patrick Kluivert	6
=	Wayne Rooney	6
=	Thierry Henry	6
=	Zlatan Ibrahimović	6
=	Nuno Gomes	6
11	Savo Milošević	5
=	Marco van Basten	5
13	Milan Baroš	5
=	Jürgen Klinsmann	5
=	Fernando Torres	5
=	Mario Gómez	5
=	Zinedine Zidane	5

Anecdotes of the EUROs

• In 1960, Franco refused to allow the Spanish national team to compete in the quarter-finals against the Soviet Union.
• After the match was tied, Italy won the semi-finals by a draw in 1968.
• Czechoslovakia won the European Championship in 1976 as a result of Panenka's famous penalty kick.
• In 1984, France became the only team to win every match in a tournament.
• Denmark won the title in 1992 despite winning only two of five matches.
• In 1996, Oliver Bierhoff scored the first "golden goal" to win the European Championship.
• In 2008, the European Championship trophy was redesigned and made larger and heavier.
• The final between Portugal and France in 2016 drew 600 million viewers.
• The host country of the European Championship has only won the tournament three times.
• Spain's Fernando Torres is the only player to have scored in both European Championship finals.

As it happens in the fashion world, every season teams update the design of their jerseys, especially the national teams before each major tournament, such as a World Cup or a European Championship, renew their uniforms to surprise the fans. Because it's about winning on the pitch, but also about winning the competition for the best jersey at Euro 2020.

And since we already have the best European football here, we want to discover the best Euro 2020 jerseys. From the classic kits of England or Portugal, to the artistic jerseys of Italy or Austria, as well as the incredible design of Finland. Read on to find out more.

Best 10 EURO 2020 Jerseys

9. Belgium

Another of the many red jerseys that this year's European Championship has. In this case, Belgium, with the help of Adidas, presents us with a shirt with some black brushstrokes that is very innovative. In addition, they made a redesign of its crest that integrates perfectly into the set.Un'altra delle tante maglie rosse che l'Europeo di quest'anno ha. In questo caso, il Belgio, con l'aiuto di Adidas, ci presenta una camicia con alcune pennellate nere che è molto innovativa. Inoltre, hanno fatto una riprogettazione del suo stemma che si integra perfettamente nel set.

8. Germany

Elegant shirt by Adidas for the German national team. White background with thin black lines, as they already used in the 2014 World Cup, for a beautiful and elegant looking jersey. The top is the sleeve covering with the German flag and the three classic Adidas stripes on the sides. Germany know that going classic is a sure winner, and with this kit they have done just that.

7. Russia

According to Adidas, the brand responsible for the shirt of the Russian national team, the design of this kit represents a mix of fans, football and the Russian flag. Although the jersey has undergone a slight redesign by removing the Russian flag from the sleeves after criticism for its similarity to the flag of Serbia. A good job by Adidas for a jersey with an emblem on the chest that gives it a very unique touch.

6. Austria

Puma is the brand responsible for the Austrian national team's jersey for this Euro 2020. Red for the body of the shirt, with white sleeves and a round neck. A sober and elegant jersey that includes a pattern on the bottom inspired by the Art Nouveau artistic current that is very present in Viennese architecture.

5. France

Inspired by the jersey they wore in the 1998 World Cup, considered by fans as the best jersey of the French national team and one of the best national team uniforms in history. The Nike brand wants to rejuvenate this classic France jersey for Euro 2020 and succeeds with flying colours.

4. Portugal

With this simple and elegant design from Nike, the Portuguese national team that will defend its 2016 title, presents us with an instant classic of football jerseys. With a lapel collar and button-down collar, it gives it a distinct, retro feel, while the sleeve and side piping bring it into the 21st century.

3. Finland

The Finns, who have qualified for a major international tournament for the first time, together with Nike's know-how, want to make their mark in terms of the design of their kit. On the sporting side, it remains to be seen, because Euro 2020 could be full of surprises. A beautiful white shirt printed with the blue cross of the country's flag in two different tones and shades. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful jerseys of Euro 2020.

    • 1. Because he loves you... and he loves football!

    • 2. Because Kylian Mbappe and Andres Iniesta are passionate about Captain Tsubasa, why not give him a New Team jacket?

    • 3. Because Maradona has always been a romantic. We pay tribute to La Mano de Dios with this iconic t-shirt.

    • 4. Because the 14 is the legendary number of Johan Cruyff, the Netherlands vintage football shirts are a great fit.

    • 5. Because George Best was always ready to party for Valentine's Day, his classic Manchester United retro shirt is too cool.

    • 6. Because it's time for England to join the Final of the European Championship, one of our models of the Three Lions' shirt is a top gift!

    • 7. Because the England 1996 retro shirt worn by Gary Neville, Paul Gascoigne and Alan Shearer is cool and trendy.

    • 8. Because our retro football shirts are eternal, most of them made in Europe and of high quality.

    • 9. Because he is passionate about premium products! Our brand Cruyff Classics invented football-lux.

    • 10. Because women also love vintage football, why not think of a Retrofootball inspired gift for your wife?

    • 11. Because the UEFA European Championship 2020 is coming, and it's time to show off the national team vintage football shirts!

    • 12. Because the seminfinals and the final of UEFA Euro 2020 will be played at Wembley Stadium and you have to be ready for the event, wearing the coolest vintage football shirt.

    • 13. Because a classic football shirt is always fashionable and trendy.

    • 14. Because you can honor the football pioneers while being original with your boyfriend / girlfriend or husband / wife.

What should I give for Christmas ? : Vintage football

5 retro football gift ideas.

1. Liverpool vintage jersey
Liverpool jersey of the year 2000

Liverpool football fans love their Reds shirts !

Liverpool's football culture is loved and envied by all football fans around the world.

In the Official collection of vintage Liverpool shirts you can find some nice surprises. A retro Liverpool jersey is the perfect gift for a Red football fan.

As it is sung at Anfield "You will never walk alone", your loved ones will always feel accompanied with these awesome shirts, the perfect football gift for your friend, your boyfriend, your dad, or your child.

And if you were a supporter of another English team, of course we have also the best uncommen gifts for men ;-) high quality old football shirts that were used throughout the 60’s,70’s and 80’s from the best teams of the Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds, Aston Vila, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and many more.

Your loved one will be touched reviving the football legends.

Liverpool 2000 classic football shirt

2. A shirt from the Captain Tsubasa football series

Tsubasa Oozora, Genzo Wakabayashi or Kojiro Hyuga?

All of us born between the 70s and 90s remember this animated series. Tsubasa Oozora could pierce the net with his shots! Genzo Wakabayashi, an exceptional goalkeeper, had never conceded a goal before meeting Tsubasa on the playing field! And how strong Kojiro Hyuga was!

Fantastic memories that make us think nostalgically of our childhood when we went to the countryside to emulate the actions of our favorite characters.

Captain Tsubasa's New Team t-shirts or Kojiro Hyuga (Mark Lenders)' Muppet t-shirts are an original football gift that will wow your loved ones.

The perfect gift for a football-loving dad and son. Give Genzō Wakabayashi's T-shirt to the father and Tsubasa's shirt to the boy as a present. With friends or family, laughter will be guaranteed.guradas.

Tsubasa Tsubasa Oozora and Kojiro Hyuga Shirts

3. A retro football ball

It really is a special gift idea!

With this present you will please a football fan.

Perfect for decorating the living room or a room with an authentic football touch. You can also use it to play!

It is an original gift for male football supporters. A Christmas present that will surprise your husband, your boyfriend, your dad or your brother !

Football gift's best idea: vintage ball

4. A vintage rugby jersey:
England retro Rugby shirt 1910

Do you want to give a gift to a rugby fan? If you want to give a rugby present, our retro rugby polo shirts are the perfect gift.

The stylish England 1910  polo shirt is without doubt one of the best gifts for a rugby fanatic.

Black, 100% thick cotton, a white shirt that faithfully reproduces the original model of 1910, with a great larger rose than in current models. Revive the first tournament of the Five Nations disputed in 1910. We also have the best rugby national team's shirt, including of course the All Blacks polo team shirt that was used when the New-Zealand team traveled Europe and America, earning the nickname "The Invincibles".

It's the perfect gift for an avid rugby player, a chic gift for the special one.

England Retro Rugby Shirt 1910

5. England Retro Shirt 1966

A legendary football jersey from the English team

If the person to whom you wish to give the gift is an English football fan, the ideal gift is one of England's retro jerseys: “The Three Lions” jersey from 66s, a jersey that testifies England’s first ever  FIFA World Cup title in 1966 with incredible players; stars like Sir Bobby Charlton, Roger Hunt, Geoff Hurst,  Bobby Moore wore this shirt.

The vintage jerseys of the England national football team are high quality replicas. Surprise that special someone with a unique football gift. An original present for life.

England Retro Shirt 1966

BONUBONUS: The Retrofootball® E-gift card

Choosing a soccer jersey for others can be difficult! If you prefer your loved one to choose their retro jersey or vintage jacket, send them our Retrofootball® gift card.

Our gift cards cover amounts from € 50 to € 250. Our gift cards are sent by e-mail to the recipient of the gift and all the check-out steps are detailed.

Buy a Christmas present in less than 5 minutes!

Gifts Cards Retrofootball®

Give a present that will touch the hearts of your loved ones, the best idea: a great retro football jersey. Men love soccer and reliving the legends of the beautiful game will make them feel very special.

Manchester City 1904 team

The track record of the victories will give us an idea of ​​the competitive capacity of The Sky Blues.

Manchester City won the Second Division in the 1899, 1903, 1910, 1928, 1947, 1966 and 2002 seasons.

The Citizens claimed the First Division title for the first time in 1937 and almost thirty years later in 1968 and then already in the 21st century won the Premier League title in 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2019.

The FA Cup was won in 1904 and then in 1934, 1956 and 1969, 2011 and 2019.

As for the League Cup, the victories took place in 1970, 1976, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Regarding international competitions, he won the UEFA Cup Winner's Cup in 1970.

This record allows us to see that the team has had its bright periods, especially in its beginnings in 1904 when he won the FA Cup, an important title, the first won by a team from the city of Manchester.

It was a very popular Club in its best moments, as witnessed in 1934, when 84,569 fans flocked to the stadium to watch a game. This figure if we think of the 1930s is really impressive. For this reason, the City holds the record for attendance at its Stadium in a match between English clubs. The championship that was being held was the FA Cup and it was won by the City. Also in the 1930s they took the First Division competition in 1937.

But these early successes also came along with great failures and long seasons in Second division.

To give an example of the ups and downs of the Club, let's follow a specific period; in 1934 they won the FA Cup, the club was in First Division from 1928 to 1938 but then was relegated and from 1938 to 1947 The Citizens remained in Second Division. They ascended to First between 1947 and 1950, when they were relegated again.

A period of great lights was the 60's with Joe Mercer as coach. They won the First Division for the second time and in 1969 they won the FA Cup for the fourth time. In 1970 they took the League Cup and the UEFA Cup Winner's Cup in 1970, the first English club to make a double.

The club went through turbulent years again with hardly any titles, fell to nothing less than the Third Division in 1998 until it was rescued under the guidance of Kevin Keegan to later in 2008 be acquired by Sheikh Mansour's Abu Dabhi Group. From 2008, the most brilliant era of this centennial Club begins. The victories of the record ratify this new golden age in which it is currently settled.

The history of Manchester City FC allows us to appreciate a tension to endure, efforts to ascend to First Division, falls into the hells of the Third Division, rebirths, tragedy, lights, great victories and finally great period with titles today. What more can we ask of a Club than the perseverance to go on and on and become one of the greats ?

Legendary Manchester City FC Footballers

We are going to include the best City players from the old times.

Eric Brook, born in 1907 was the Manchester City star of the interwar period, he played between 1928 and 1940 scoring 177 goals in 494 games, thanks to his powerful strikes on goal, and a prodigious physical capacity at the service of the Mancunian team, led him to win a league title in 1937 and an FA Cup in 1934. Let us bear in mind that before the arrival of Agüero, Eric Brook was the top scorer for the Sky Blues.

Eric Brook Manchester City

Bert Trautmann, born in Germany in 1923, was a staunch Manchester City goalkeeper between 1949 and 1964. He was released from a British prison camp as he joined the German paratrooper forces and was taken prisoner. Trautmann did not want to return to Germany and after the Second World War he came to play for City. There were big reservations about accepting him at the beginning. However his good game was stronger and he was finally  accepted. He played 508 games for Manchester City in the 15 years he was active at the Club. The great goalkeeper in history of football, Lev Yashin said that the two of them were the only world-class goalkeepers. The story of the FA Cup final against Birmingham has remained in the memory of football fans when Trautmann was injured when making a very dangerous stop but wanted to continue defending the goal even with a dislocated neck. Later it was learned that he had had several vertebrae broken in his neck.

Mike Summerbee, born in 1942, was a legendary and much-loved forward for Manchester City, where he played nine seasons, specifically from 1965 to 1975, and 453 games. He had previously played for Swindon Town and after his time at Manchester City, he signed to three more teams from the British Isles; Burnley, Blackpool and Stockport Country. During his seasons with The Citizens we highlight the 1967-1968 season when the player scored 14 goals in the First Division championship that allowed the Sky Blues to win the championship title. The following year, in 1969, he contributed to the victory of the FA Cup, and in 1970 he would win the League Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. He was named Manchester City player of the year in 1972 and 1973. A no less important fact: he participated in the film Escape to Victory, the famous film by John Huston along with Pelé, Bobby Moore, Paul van Himst and actors Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine.

Mike Summerbee Manchester City

Colin Bell, born in 1946, is regarded as the greatest Manchester City player of all time. He started his career playing in Second Division Bury FC side until he was hired for the 1965 season by Manchester City, who also played that year in Second Division. He helped to promote the Club to First Division already in 1967. He played for Manchester City  until 1979 and contributed to the triumphs of the late 1960s and early 1970s together with Mike Summerbee. The West Stand area of ​​the Manchester City Stadium was named in his honor.

Other players that we must not forget; Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Sergio Agüero.

Manchester City FC shirts

In 1894-95 the Manchester City FC shirts were double-colored, half dark blue and half light blue  or half white and half pale blue in 1890-91. But already in 1894-95 the players wore the pale blue color that has been faithful to the team throughout its long history.

The shorts have changed over time. They have been mainly white but also in 1976 they were replaced by the characteristic pale blue so that the team was dressed in full pale blue, socks included. In 1985 the white pants were again back. As for the neck of the shirts we find at different times a blue polo neck of the same hue of the shirt,  a white polo neck, a white v neck, or a white round neck. From 1976 with Umbro as manufacturer, details will be included like lateral stripes on the shoulders, or darker blue vertical stripes. These designs were adapted to the taste of the each period of time.

As for the shield, we will also see it changing over the years from 1894. Mainly it will include the colors of the Grelley Family, feudal lords of Manchester, the rose of Lancaster as well as the ship that alludes to the famous Manchester Sea Canal.

Access our best official Manchester City FC vintage shirts where we bring all the history alive through the shirts of this exciting football club based in Greater Manchester that has managed to overcome all adversities and be one of the greats of European football.

Manchester City 1998-1999 team

Jimmy Greaves Chelsea in the 60s

As for the next decade, the 80s, the period from 1980 to 1984 was complicated but from then on, except for the 1988-89 season, the london club will be a constant team fighting in the First Division and then in the Premier League, which came to replace the First Division.

Let's bear in mind that Chelsea FC has spent 57 seasons in the First Division, 23 in the Premier League and 19 in the Second Division.

We include below his record of victories in the Second Division, the First Division / Premier League, the FA Cup as well as in international competitions to have a good still image of the Club's victory history.

Second Division : 1984 and 1989

First Division / Premier League : 1955, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2015, 2017

FA Cup : 1970, 1997, 2000, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2018

Champions League : 2012

Europa League : 2013 and 2019

UEFA Cup Winner's Cup : 1971 and 1998

UEFA Super Cup : 1998

Chelsea 1971 UEFA Cup Winner's Cup

These data show us that the Club was slow to arrive at the top but it finally did. Especially from 1997 when the team won the FA Cup against Middlesbrough with Ruud Gullit as coach. In the 21st century, victories began to be consistent. In 2003 the Club was acquired by Roman Abramovich and from then on it became one of the great football clubs of the United Kingdom.

Legendary Chelsea FC players

We will focus on players from earlier times although we will remember more recent must-have players.

Ron Harris was born in 1944. The Chelsea defender participated in the adventures of Chelsea FC from 1961 to 1980, a team in which he played in the youth team and with which he won the FA Youth Cup in 1961. He holds the record for the most games played with the club, specifically 795. After leaving Chelsea he played for two other English clubs, Brentford and Aldershot before retiring in 1985. With Chelsea he participated in the match of the 1970 FA Cup final and the UEFA Cup Winner's Cup in 1971 against Real Madrid, both with Chelsea victories. He was a staunch defender, tough, they nicknamed him The Chopper.

Perter Osgood was born in 1947 in Windsor. He was the legendary Chelsea striker of the 60s and 70s. He dedicated himself to this Club during two stages from 1964 to 1974 and from 1978 to 1979 when he returned to finish his career after playing for Southampton, Norwich city and playing in the United States. With Chelsea he won important titles for his time. He won the mythical match of the 1970 FA Cup final and the UEFA Cup Winner's Cup in 1971 against Real Madrid where he scored a goal and was named the team's best footballer in 1973. With Chelsea he scored 150 goals in 380 games. He was well loved, his football exuded strength and grace at the same time and a great instinct for goals.

Dennis Wise, was born in 1966. He played for Chelsea FC in the 90s specifically from 1990 to 2001. He started playing for Shouthampton and then Wimbledon where he won an impressive FA Cup against Liverpool in 1988. He took part in the Euro 2000 with the English team. At Chelsea he is considered one of the legendary captains and became an essential player of the team. With Chelsea he won the FA Cup in 1997 with Gullit as player-coach and in 2000 as well as the League Cup in 1998 and in that same year he won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and the UEFA European Super Cup. He played as central midfielder, stole marvelous balls and although he was ejected from the field on occasions he also organized the game with fantastic passes.He was a true football player.

John Terry, born in 1980, played with Chelsea as a central defender between 1998 and 2017. Known worldwide as a player for the England national team at Chelsea he became an essential pillar during the most glorious stage of the Club. Players passed but Terry always remained. With the club and being captain he has more than 14 titles to his credit and is the footballer with the most victories in the history of Chelsea. Among these titles we highlight the 5 Premier Leagues won, the first in 2005 and the last in 2017 or the 2012 Champions League or the four FA Cups. John Terry is a true legend of the Club

We cannot also forget the stars like Jimmy Greaves, Didier Drogba and Eden Hazard or exceptional players such as goalkeeper Petr Čech or Lampard who stayed at the Club from 2001 to 2014.

The Chelsea FC shirts were originally Eton blue around 1905, lighter almost turquoise. This colour was and the symbol of Henry Cadogan Viscount of Chelsea. Later, around 1912, this colour was changed to royal blue. The shorts were white and the socks were black. The designs were modified with the rhythm of the tastes of each era, going as in other teams from polo neck, to v neck or round neck. In the 60s the shield was included in the shirt with the rampant lion of the Viscount of Cadogan that is collected in the coat of arms of the Chelsea district in London. Previously, the shield included the figure of a pensioner, veterans of the British Army, but as we saw above, in the 1950s coach Ted Drake wanted to modernise the club and removed the faithful pensioners from the shield.

In the 60s, the color of the white shorts was changed to royal blue so that all the kit was the same color, except for the socks, which were white or long blue. This blue shirt and pants have remained to this day.

We invite you to visit our Chelsea Retro Footballshirt section to relive the history and legends of this important London Club through the best symbol, its football kit.

Chelsea FC 1984 Team

Liverpool FC Team in 1955

The legendary coach, Bill Shankly, took over the team in 1959 and turned it into a winning team. How did he do it ?  He created a dynamic meeting to talk about football strategies and much more. These informal talks took place  around the Boot Room, a small space where the players' boots were kept. These meetings were attended by Bill Shankly, Reuben Bennett, Joe Fagan, Ronnie Moran, Bob Paisley and Tom Saunders. Four of them were coaches. Their knowledge rebuilt the team that was promoted to the First Division in 1962, won the First Division championship two years later and qualified to play in Europe for the first time. It was around this time when the Club's mythical anthem, "You'll never walk alone", began to be sung.

After these beginnings, the team stabilized. We highlight the FA Cup title in 1965 and the First Division title in 1966. They were also runners-up in the 1965–66 European Cup Winners' Cup

In 1971, the player Kevin Keegan arrived at the Club, and together with his colleague John Toshack, they would become the scoring couple par excellence. In 1973 The Reds won the first European title, the UEFA Cup 72-73, with Keegan scoring two goals in the final. Bill Shankly will leave the Reds in 1974 after winning the FA Cup.

After Shankly leaving the  club, Bob Paisley, who as we have seen before was part of the meetings in the Boot Room, will take up the baton and lead the Club to the highest by winning three Champions Leagues in 1977, 1978 and 1981.

We cannot forget the first treble in the season  1983-84. It was the time of an essential player for Liverpool, Ian Rush, with his goals, the Reds won the First Division, the League Cup and the Champions League. Nor should we forget the days of another player Kenny Dalglish. Below you can see reviews of these legendary players.

Already in the 90s after the triumph in the First Division in 1990 the era of the Premier League began, in the 1992-93 season. This period was not fruitful in terms of titles. It is the time of another exceptional player Steven Gerrard.

Liverpool win the 1989/90 First Division

This brings us back to the 2000s, history that we leave for an upcoming blog as our intention was to concentrate on this one in the more distant history of Liverpool.

LEGENDARY LIVERPOOL FC FOOTBALLERS

Ian Rush, born in 1961, remains Liverpool's top scorer in the history of the club with 346 goals. He played with Liverpool from 1980 to 1987 and his second period from 1988 to 1996. We highlight the 30 goals in 49 games he scored in the 1981-1982 season, goals that allowed the team to win the Premier League. This was the beginning of great victories in particular; 5 Premier Leagues, 3 FA Cups and two European Cups in 1981 and 1984. He also played for Juventus and other British football teams. He was a forward, with incredible speed, one of those players with explosive energy, he also managed to overwhelm the players of the opposing team in order to take the ball away from them and of course an avid scorer as shown by his records.

Kenny Dalglish was born in 1951. Except for his beginnings in Scotland's Celtic FC for eight years, he played his entire career with Liverpool, from 1977 to 1991. With Liverpool he lived the best time of the Club, that period the fans never forget. He won the European Cup three times, in 1978, 1981 and 1984 and a staggering 8 First Divisions.  He is one of the ten players who holds the record for the most championships won with  35! At Anfield they adored him, they called him King Kenny, he has been voted Liverpool's No. 1 player. He was a very fast football player, very skilled, with an impressive left foot and very imaginative in his game.

Kenny Dalglish, the player who shook the Kop

John Barnes, born in Jamaica in 1963. He played for ten years with Liverpool FC, from 1987 to 1997, where he left his mark despite the problems of racism he suffered at the club. And that being the black player who has played the most times with the English National Team. With the national team he scored 108 goals between the 80s and 90s. He also played for Newcastle and Watford. With Liverpool he won two First Division of the time, in 1987 and 1990 and two FA Cups, in 1989 and 1992.


We do not want to forget other players like Robbie Fowler or Steven Gerrard who are considered true idols of the Reds.

Liverpool FC shirts are legendary and are imbued with all the historical moments of this great Club. Today we cannot imagine Liverpool wearing a color other than red, as the first shirt, however in the beginning they wore half white and half light blue shirts, and dark blue shorts and socks. These kit were only worn for four seasons; from 1892 to 1896 when the Club changed to the legendary red shirt with white shorts and red socks.

A significant date is 1901 when the liver bird,  became the symbol of the Liverpool club, although it was not until 1955 when it was included in the shirts. As it happens in most of the club's crests, this bird appears on the Coat of Arms of the City of Liverpool.

On the other hand, it was his coach Shankly, who in 1964, with an exceptional idea, which the best marketing experts would have wanted to conceive, who dressed his players in a complete red kit; shirts, pants and socks.

We highlight several peculiarities of Liverpool jerseys: it was the first team to include a sponsor, the Hitachi brand on its jersey in 1979 and also to have a third kit, which started out as yellow, until this yellow shirt became the away kit, relegating its white jersey to the third kit.

Liverpool jerseys will have minor modifications throughout their history. They will go from the polo neck shirt, to the round neck or to the V neck shirt. The Umbro brand was for many years the brand that made the Liverpool jerseys, from 1974 to 1985 when Adidas began the collaboration with the Reds, and continued to make the Liverpool jerseys from 1985 to 1996. The Adidas brand will include in the total red of your shirts some very fine white stripes. This will be the beginning of small details that will emerge in the shirts always on the iconic red background. In 1987, Liverpool included their gray jersey as their away kit instead of the yellow one.

At this link Liverpool FC Classic Shirts you can access the information for each shirt and take a tour of the best replicas of the most dazzling Liverpool kits, one of the best football clubs in history. In a Red shirt you will never walk alone.

The Atlético Aviación classic kit revives the 1941 model, with the Atlético Aviación crest, long sleeves as was traditional at the time, and with the Club's traditional red and white colors. Thus arose the origin of the main nickname of its followers as Colchoneros, the mattress makers, since mattresses in the first half of the 20th century had red and white stripes.

The second model is also very representative as it reminds us of Atlético de Madrid's prodigious decade, from 1966 to 1976; 10 years in which the Club won 4 league titles (being the club that won the most titles in that decade). In those years the club had legendary players such as Luis Aragones, Adelardo, Garate, Ratón Ayala or Pereira.

The Atletico de Madrid vintage retro shirt faithfully reproduces the model with an open polo neck of those years, the traditional red and white colors, rojiblanco, and the Club Atletico crest that has lasted until the 21st century.

To complement this period, we also launch the Atletico de Madrid sports jacket from the 1960s. A high-quality product that legendary club coaches such as Marcel Domingo, Max “Látigo” Merkel, Juan Carlos Lorenzo and Luis Aragones proudly wore.

The collection is completed with the model from the 80s prior to the arrival of the Gil family at the Club. The Atletico de Madrid shirt for the 1985/86 season is a club classic, with a polo-shaped collar. It is the model worn by one of the Club's greatest legends, Paulo Futre.

For that season we also have the classic Atletico third kit in blue. A special gift for the mattress fan who already has all the rojiblancas.

Finally, if a new baby is born in an Atletico fan family, we have a model with a gift box for babies, a sure hit for the red-and-white supporters.

We hope you enjoy our new collection. With those Atletico shirts you will always feel the colors of your favorite football team and you will surprise everyone.  At Retrofootball® we love to relive the great moments of our best football legends for you.  

The orange team, however, has not lavished much on titles due to the lack of resolution in the finals matches, and there is its Achilles' Heel since it has reached the World Cup final three times; specifically in the 1974 and 1978 editions and already in the 21st century in 2010 without having been able to take home the victory. As for the Euro Cups, the Dutch team won the famous Euro Cup in 1988.

This long-established Orange team started in 1889 with the establishment of the Dutch Football and Athletics Association. Subsequently, the sports were divided, leaving the Dutch Football Association as the representative entity of King sport.

In the first international competitions of the Olympic Games, he will participate in the Olympic Games in London 1908 and Stockholm 1912 where he took the Bronze Medal as well as in the Antwerp Olympics of 1920. From his beginnings, he already pointed out ways of good football.

Let's review their participation in World Cups, Euro Cups and the Olympic Games and their rankings in the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. This will allow us to assess their high competitiveness through a photograph of the most prestigious international competitions.

SIGNIFICANT RESULTS OF THE NETHERLANDS NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM AT THE WORLD CUP, EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS AND OLYMPIC GAMES:

WORLD CUPS:

Italy World Cup 1934: Round of 16

France World Cup 1938: Round of 16

World Cup Germany 1974: Finalist, second place

World Cup Argentina 1978: Finalist, second place

World Cup Italy 1990: Round of 16

1994 World Cup USA: Quarter Finals

France World Cup 1998: Fourth place

World Cup Germany 2006: Round of 16

South Africa World Cup 2010: Finalist, second place

Brazil World Cup 2014: Third place.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS:

Yugoslavia Euro Cup 1976: Third place

West Germany Euro 1988: Champion

European Championship Sweden 1992: Third place

England Euro Cup 1996: Quarter Finals

Euro Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2000: Third place

Euro 2004 Portugal 2004: Fourth place

Euro Cup Austria and Switzerland 2008: Quarter Finals

OLYMPIC GAMES:

London Olympics 1908: Bronze Medal

1912 Stockholm Olympics: Bronze medal

Antwerp 1920 Olympics: Bronze medal

1924 Paris Olympics: Fourth place

1928 Amsterdam Olympics: Round of 16

MYTHICAL PLAYERS IN THE HISTORY OF DUTCH FOOTBALL

Dutch football has given figures that are in the memory of all those who are passionate about football. They are global figures that have made us all enjoy. It is worth remembering through a review:

Johan Cruyff, born in Amsterdam in 1947, started playing football at Ajax in Amsterdam where his widowed mother enrolled him since Johan was twelve years old. Ajax was the team that shaped him as a player, from 1964 to 1973, the year in which he went on to play with Barcelona for five seasons until 1978. At Ajax, he conquered everything among eight Leagues and three European Cups in 1971, 1972 and 1973, which coincide with obtaining its three Golden Balls in the 1970s, where it reigned as the star it always was, specifically in 1971, 1973, 1974. It also went through teams from the United States, finishing its career in the Netherlands with two seasons at Ajax and one final at Feyenoord in Rotterdam in 1984. In 1985 he became a coach and returned to his roots, three years with Ajax and another eight with Barcelona.

With the Netherlands national team he started in 1964 playing 48 games and becoming captain. However, being such an exceptional player, he could not win any World Cup or Euro Cup. His best classification as an national team player was the title of runner-up in the 1974 football World Cup and the 1976 Euro Cup where the Dutch team is classified in third place. Johan Cruyff was an exceptional center of play forward, with an out of place technique, and thunderous speed, and above all a superior vision of the game, he was the total player because he could perfectly play any position, that is, he was the dream player by Rinus Michels for the development of Total football.

Johan Neeskens, born in 1951, the Dutch midfielder was part of the perfect match together with Cruyff of Total football by Rinus Michels. It started with Ajax in the late 60s and 70s and was the architect together with Cruyff of the three European Cups in a row that the team from Amsterdam took. He played at Barcelona and also at the New York Cosmos where he stayed for seven seasons. His great moment was in 1974 when he played the World Cup with Cruyff. Remember that he was only 22 years old and that he was the key man at many times, including the goal against Brazil with which he qualified for the Netherlands against the Federal Germany, which the Dutch lost. Highlight that he was the top Dutch scorer in this World Cup. He also participated in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, a competition in which the Netherlands were second again after losing the final against Argentina. Neeskens, was a midfielder of great physical quality, runner without respite, superior as a penalty taker, voracious as a ball thief in the center of the field, with a vision of the play where he always intuited the goal.

Ruud Gullit, born in 1962, was one of the best players of the 80s and 90s. He started in Haarlem in 1979, played for Feyenoord in Roterdam three seasons, at PSV Eindhoven, went through AC Milan where he played six seasons and together with his compatriots Marco Van Basten and Frank Rijkaard marked a golden era for the Rossineri Club, he was subsequently signed by Sampdoria of Genoa and ended his career in 1998 playing for three seasons for Chelsea. With these Clubs he won everything especially with Milan. Among them are three Dutch Leagues, three Italian Scudettos, two European Cups with AC Milan. As a player and captain of the team, unlike his compatriots from the 70s, Cruyff and Neeskens, he did have the honor of winning the title of winner of the 1988 Euro Cup, the only title in the great global competitions of the team. He was awarded the Ballon d'Or in 1987. Gullit is a midfielder of great technical quality and physical strength, he played total football changing position due to his great versatility, great head scorer and magnificent captain with high leadership skills.

Marco Van Basten, born in 1964, was a center forward who debuted at Ajax in Amsterdam and had an impressive start as with 20 years old he was the Netherlands' top scorer. At Ajax he spent six seasons and won three Leagues, until he was signed by AC Milan where together with the Dutch of the club, Gullit and Rijkaard led Milan to one of their best eras, winning three Scudettos and two European Cups. At the Milanese Club he stayed for another six seasons. He played 58 matches for the Netherlands national football team, where he participated in the Netherlands' victory in the 1988 European Championship. He was called the Swan for his elegance on the pitch, also a Swiss doctor who treated him said of him that he played football as a Nureyev, due to his great build due to his height but his elegance of movements, but he had different injuries to his ankle during his career that led him to have to finish his career early in 1995.

The Netherlands' national team jerseys are known throughout the world. For the orange color, for what they represent, the Mechanical Orange, for the excellence of its players, especially Cruyff, but we have already seen that not only.

We remember that the color orange is associated with the Royal Dutch family: the House of Orange-Nassau. The rampant lion shield with a sword and arrows represents the United Provinces.

The second kit shirt has been white, sporting the shield in orange.

We invite you to enter our section of Holland Football Jerseys where you can take a tour of the history of this excellent team.

Among others, you will find replicas of Johan Cruyff Holland Shirt 1974 with its emblematic number 14 and the Holland World Cup 1978 Shirt. Timeless, top quality shirts with which you can feel the best football the European continent has given you.

The beginnings of Argentina's national football team date back to their first friendly match in 1901 against Uruguay when they won 3-2. The Uruguayan team would be Argentina's only rival at that time. The Lipton and Newton Cups were contested between both teams that began in 1905 and 1906 respectively.

Already in 1916 the first Copa América was organized with Argentina as the host country. The participating teams are Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, who will win the championship on goal difference by drawing against Argentina in the final. The Albiceleste team will win its first Copa de América in 1921 and it will be the beginning of fourteen victories that will be added to its record. To win this first victory, he had to eliminate Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. In the 1920s it will win in 1921, as we have seen, but also in 1925, 1927 and 1929.

In addition, in 1928 he was runner-up at the Amsterdam Olympic Games. Guess who he played the final against; against Uruguay, another story of their long rivalry.

Already in the 1930s he achieved his first great performance in a World Cup in 1930, remaining runners-up, again the Uruguayans beat them, but Argentina would take revenge decades later. In the Argentine squad we have an important star of the time Guillermo Stabile.

His participation in the 1934 World Cup was not remarkable and he would not participate in the World Cups in France in 1938, Brazil in 1950 and Switzerland 1954 the latter due to disagreements with FIFA. He continued reaping triumphs in the American Cups in all these empty years in the football World Cups under the baton of Stabile. They would go through different vicissitudes in the following World Cups with their best classification in England 1966 when they reached the quarterfinals and were ousted by the host in a controversial match and where from the problems due to the expulsion of an Argentine player who did not understand the referee, it was decided that a universal language would be used through the red and yellow cards.

But their great first victory at the global level was to take the title of champions in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, although not without controversy because Argentina is the host country and choosing the match times that best suited them to know the results of their rivals and know the goal difference needed for victory. But there was also very good football and extraordinary players, Mario Kempes and Ubaldo Fillol, the goalkeeper, one of the best of all time.

His other great stellar moment is the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, the Maradona World Cup and his hand of God. They will win the final against the always efficient West Germany.

Let's have a look at its record to get an accurate picture of the competitive potential of the Argentine team throughout its history. We will review her victories, qualification as a semifinalist and quarterfinals in the World Cups, the American Cups and the Olympic Games in which she participated.

SIGNIFICANT RESULTS OF THE ARGENTINE FOOTBALL TEAM IN WORLD CUP, COPA AMERICA AND OLYMPIC GAMES

WORLD FOOTBALL:

World Cup Uruguay 1930: Runner-up after losing the final against Uruguay

England 1966 World Cup: Quarter-finals

1974 World Cup West Germany: Second round, eighth position in the table

1978 Argentina World Cup: Winner

1986 World Cup Mexico: Winner

1990 World Cup Italy: Runner-up after losing to West Germany

1998 World Cup in France: Quarter-finals, sixth position in the table

2006 World Cup Germany: Quarter-finals, sixth position in the table

2010 World Cup South Africa: Quarter-finals, fifth position in the table

World Cup Brazil 2014: Runner-up after losing to Germany in the finals with Messi

World Cup Russia 2018: Eighth of final serious defeats in round of 16

SIGNIFICANT RESULTS OF THE ARGENTINE FOOTBALL TEAM AT THE COPA AMERICA:

Argentina was the winner fourteen times in this competition.

Decade of the 10s:

Runner-up in the years 1916, 1917

1920s:

Winner in the years 1921, 1925, 1927, 1929

Runner-up in the 1920s, 1923, 1924, 1926

1930s

Winner in 1937

Runner-up in 1935

1940s

Winner in 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947

Runner-up 1942

Decade of the 50s

Winner in 1955, 1957, 1959-I

Runner-up in 1959-II

1960s

Runner-up in 1967

Decade of the 90s

Winner 1991 and 1993

2000s

Runner-up in 2004, 2007, 2015 and 2016

OLYMPIC GAMES

Olympic Games Amsterdam 1928: Silver Medal

LEGENDARY FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF ARGENTINA

Let's analyze the great players of the legendary Argentines, athletes who still remain in the memory of the followers of the history of the Albiceleste team.

Let's review the best Argentine football players:

Alfredo Di Stefano, born in 1926, began his career in the lower categories of River Plate in 1945 to pass as a player on loan to Huracán where he played for one season and in 1947 he became the first team of River Plate where he remained from 1947 to 1949. The first season in the River marked his confirmation as a star player of the Club and it is also the year in which he played for the first time in the Argentine National Team, winning the Copa América in 1947.

Due to a dispute between the Government of General Perón and the Argentine footballers, Di Stefano left to play outside of Argentina like many other players. He was signed by the Colombian club Los Millonarios in the city of Bogotá, where he stayed for four seasons in which he coincided with other high-quality players such as Pedemera, making this club one of the most powerful in America. Among other milestones, he managed to beat Real Madrid in their 50th anniversary tournament.

In 1953, he was transferred to Real Madrid, not without some controversy, and it was at the Merengue Club where he would be consecrated. His dual role as an Argentine player where he became a player and his nationalization as a Spanish citizen allowed him to play both with the Argentina Team, 6 games, and with the Spanish team another 32 from 1956 to 1962.

His double love for Argentine and Spanish football allowed him to play for the Argentine team for 6 games and for the Spanish team in 1956 after becoming a Spanish national, where he played 31 games, although circumstances prevented him from competing in a World Cup, although he was a national team player since 1956. to 1962 and is considered in his Spanish side as the best Spanish player of the 20th century, associating his brilliance with the greats Pelé, Cruyff and Maradona. With Real Madrid he won five European Cups and was the top scorer in the first division in five seasons from 1954 to 1959. He also received the Ballon d'Or in 1957 and 1959. He finished his career in Spanish and was coach among others of the River Plate from its beginnings and Boca Juniors. A skilled player of great mastery, he had an impressive versatile ability, in all the positions in which he played he stood out. He was a great director in the field with a high capacity for strategy. There are not many players in the history of football as complete as Di Stefano.

Mario Alberto Kempes, was born in 1954 in the province of Córdoba, Argentina. The Argentine striker star of the 70s and 80s began his career at the Córdoba Institute where he played in 1973 to later spend three seasons at the Rosario Central Club. From 1976 he was hired by Valencia in Spain where he dazzled with his game and remained until 1984. With the Valencian team he won the Copa del Rey, the Recopa and the European Super Cup. As of his departure from Valencia, he will begin a tour of several clubs in Argentina, River Plate where he won the Argentine league, Hercules in Alicante, he played in three different clubs in Austria, and in Arturo Fernández Vial in Chile. He ended his Indonesian career at Pelita Jaya in 1996.

In the Argentina team he was a hero. With his game and tenacity the Argentine team won the 1978 World Cup where he was crowned the top scorer and the best player in the championship. He played 43 games with the Argentine national team, scoring 20 goals.

He finished his career as a coach who toured different sports cultures; Indonesia, Albania, Bolivia, Venezuela, Italy and Spain. His hallmark was his long hair and his powerful shot with his left leg and his headers always scored at the net. With great instinct for the goal, he was a very fast and skilled player with a very complete physique.

Diego Armando Maradona, was born in 1960 in Lanús of the Province of Buenos Aires. He is one of the great living myths of football for his excellent past as a striker but also for representing the popular classes, the underprivileged both in Argentina and Naples. It has been sung by numerous artists and several biographical films have been made of its figure. Listed as one of the best players in the entire history of football on a par with Pelé. Always controversial, he was suspended for doping among many other dark points in his life such as various lawsuits for gender violence. In the sports field with his lights he embodied the best of Argentine football.

He began playing with Argentinos Juniors in 1976 and in 1981 began his relationship with Boca Juniors where he won the league title in 1981. He played with Barcelona since 1982 although he never felt comfortable in the Barcelona club but won the Copa del Rey in 1983. In 1984 he joined Napoli, the club where he felt at home even though he was expelled for his drug problems and was suspended for 15 months. He won 2 Italian Serie A leagues in 1987 and 1990 and the UEFA Cup in 1989. He played one season for Sevilla and another for Newell's Old Boys in Argentina in 1993. He finished his career at Boca Junios in 1997.

Although he already stood out in the Youth Team in the 1979 World Cup of the lower categories of Japan that Argentina took, he made his debut with the Albiceleste in the 1982 World Cup in Spain, it was in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico where he was consecrated as the top star overall with the Argentine National Team. For the story is the goal from the middle of the field and the Hand of God in the game against England. He was a finalist, runner-up, in the 1990 World Cup. In the 1994 World Cup in the USA, he tested positive for doping and had to stop playing for a year. It was his last World Cup as a player.

His list of distinctions is endless, let's stick to two, he won the honorary Golden Ball in 1995 and in Argentina the Clarín and Olimpia distinction for the best Argentine athlete of the century in 1999.

He has been a coach of multiple clubs and the Argentine National Team between 2008 and 2010.

tHE Pelusa, as he was called, moved through the field at high speed, as if flying with the ball at his feet and with a very fast stopping capacity, very precise in the shots, of great technical quality, with great control over the ball and high power, he was different, he played the ball differently, always brilliant. Watching him play was an absolute football pleasure.

Gabriel Batistuta, born in 1969, the center forward of the 90s who holds the record for scoring with the Argentina team. It is known as Batigol. He made his debut in Newell's Old Boys where he played only one season in the first division after having hardened in the lower categories of the club, later he was hired by River Plate for a season where he won the first division championship, he went through Boca Juniors another season to jump to the Italian league, being signed by Fiorentina where he remained from 1991 to 2000 and where he won the Italian Cup and the Super Cup becoming a legend for the followers of Florence. He spent three seasons with AS Roma winning Serie A and the Italian Super Cup, one season with Inter Milan and one season with AI Arabi SC in Qatar. In Italy he was considered one of the great players in both Rome and Florence. In fact, he continues to hold the title of top scorer for Fiorentina with 207 goals.

He wore the shirt of the Argentina team from 1991 to 2002. Winning in 1991 and 1993 the Copa América and two Confederations Cups.

He was a tall player, with a very strong, effective shot, and magnificent both in the aerial plays and in the fouls. As Pasarella said, who managed him at River Plate, he seemed like a German player, although he was born Argentine.

We cannot forget Messi as one of the greatest players in the history of Argentine football. Still active, we let his biography continue to be written in the field.

The colors of the Argentina football shirt are based on the flag of the Argentine nation created by Manuel Belgrano in 1812. This is the reason why the Albiceleste color of the Argentina Team jersey has not changed considerably throughout of its history since it was used for the first time in 1908. Previously, the color white was used, as happened in most of the teams that used white shirts in their beginnings.

The bands have been more or less wide, the sky blue has been varying in intensity, the neck has changed from a round neck to a V neckline or polo neck on some occasions, but the essence of the shirt is the same, each shirt of the different championships with the symbolic charge left by the players who wore them and the triumphs or failures that were won or suffered.

The away shirt of the Argentina National Team was solid blue, although in some seasons it also had darker blue stripes. In this second kit, more innovative motifs such as bands with the colors of the Argentine flag were added from the 90s.

We suggest you visit our Argentina Retro Shirts Section.

You can buy the Argentina World Cup 1978 shirt with Kempes and Menotti as coach or the 1986 Argentina World Cup Shirt with which Maradona rose to the altars of global football.

To feel in your own skin the triumphs and history of the Argentina football team.

So it is a faithful representative of the spirit of Brazilian football. Good football, excitement, joy and consistency. The Brazilian national football team is the one that has won the most World Cups, 5 World Cups; in the years 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002, and 9 Copa de América; in the years 1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007 and 2019.

But how did the beautiful sport start in Brazil? Its beginnings seem to be due to a son of Scots who emigrated to Brazil at the end of the 19th century to build the train in the city of Sao Paulo named Miller, Charles William Miller, a miller in Spanish. This young man was sent by his father to study in the United Kingdom and there he learned and played this sport and on his return he brought with him a ball and all his knowledge from there until today.

The first football club in Brazil was the Sao Paulo Athletic Club in 1888.

For its part, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) was created in 1914.

The first match of the Brazilian national football team took place in 1914 with a defeat against Argentina by 3 to 0 and already in 1919 and 1922 Brazil won the Copa América. Of course, in their ranks a true prodigy played, Arthur Friedenreich; a son of German emigrants who dazzled his followers as much or more than Pelé in his time, although he is hardly known outside of Brazil. But although the statistics at that time were not what they are today, it seems that he scored more goals than Pelé, that is, he could be one of the players who has scored the most goals in his career; there is talk that they could reach 1379.

Brazil wearing a white shirt during the 1919 Copa America game against Chile

It is important to note that the Brazilian team has participated in all editions of the World Cups. The first editions of 1930 and 1934 the team did not come out very well, it was sent home by the Yugoslavia team in the first phase in 1930 and by the Spanish football team in the round of 16 in 1934. Already in 1938 it started to offer what later proved to be one of the greatest football teams of all time, ended in third place in the tournament, with a great game from Leonidas da Silva, born in 1913, another Brazilian scorer who was also a legend in his time in Brazil, inventor of the bicycle kick. In this World Cup he was the top scorer with 7 goals.

His record in World Cups and America's Cups, where we will include victories, his participation in the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals is impressive. This will give us a clear picture of why Canarinha, as the Brazilian soccer team is known, is considered the best team in the world.

SIGNIFICANT RESULTS OF THE BRAZIL NATIONAL TEAM AT WORLD CUP, COPA AMERICA AND OLYMPIC GAMES:

BRAZIL AT THE WORLD CUP:

We will include the wins and the second, third and their quarter-final rankings in the table position.

France 1938 World Cup: Third position

Brazil 1950 World Cup: Finalist, runner-up

1954 Swiss World Cup: Quarter-finals

1958 World Cup Sweden: Winner

Chile 1962 World Cup: Winner

Mexico 1970 World Cup: Winner

Argentina 1978 World Cup: Third position

1986 World Cup Mexico: Quarter-finals

1994 World Cup USA: Winner

France 1998 World Cup: Finalist, runner-up

2002 World Cup Japan and South Korea: Winner

Germany 2006 World Cup: Quarter-finals

2010 World Cup South Africa: Quarter-finals

Brazil 2014 World Cup: Fourth position

Russia 2018 World Cup: Quarter-finals

BRAZIL AT THE COPA AMERICA:

We will include the wins and the second and third position in the table.

Copa América 1916: Third position

Copa América 1917: Third position

America's Cup 1919: Winner

Copa América 1920: Third position

Copa América 1921: Finalist, second position

Copa América 1922: Winner

Copa América 1925: Finalist, second position

Between 1926 and 1935 he did not participate

Copa América 1937: Finalist, second position

Copa América 1942: Third position

Copa América 1945: Finalist, second position

Copa América 1946: Finalist, second position

Copa América 1949: Winner

Copa América 1957: Finalist, second position

Copa América 1959 of Argentina: Finalist, second position

Copa América 1959 8 In that year 1959, two Copa América were organized, the second one held in Ecuador9: Third position

Copa América 1983: Finalist, second position

Copa América 1989: Winner

Copa América 1991: Finalist, second position

Copa América 1995: Finalist, second position

Copa América 1997: Winner

America's Cup 1999: Winner

America's Cup 2004: Winner

America's Cup 2004: Winner

Copa América 2019: Winner

OLYMPIC GAMES:

1984 Olympics Los Angeles: Runner-up, second place

1988 Olympic Games Seoul: Finalist, 2nd place

1996 Atlanta Olympics: Third position

Beijing 2008 Olympics: Third position

London 2012 Olympics: Finalist, 2nd place

Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games: Winner

LEGENDARY PLAYERS IN THE HISTORY OF BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL

Brazilian football has produced great players who are among the best in the world, they are global legends who have given us the best moments of the beautiful game, we still visit their videos, their plays, their masterful touches, their joy and determination.

Apart from the players mentioned in the section on the beginnings of the Brazilian National Team; Arthur Friedenreich and Leonidas da Silva remember some essential figures:

Manuel Francisco dos Santos, Garrincha, born in 1933 in Rio de Janeiro, was a Brazilian striker who, although he lived in the footballing shadow of Pelé, left his mark on Brazilian football. He did not have the physique of an athlete, in fact he had one leg longer than the other and problems with his spine, his personal life was anything but methodical that the career of an elite athlete requires and he ended up dying very young due to his problems with alcohol , but he was dazzled by his great dribbling, in fact he is considered the best dribbler in the history of world football. He played for Botafogo for more than ten years where he won three Cariocas Championships, the Rio de Janeiro State League, then toured other Brazilian, Latin American and European clubs, among others Corinthians, Junior from the Colombian city of Barranquilla, Flamengo or the Red Star in Paris. He was a very important figure for the Brazilian team to win the 1958 World Cup in Sweden and he repeated the feat at the 1962 World Cup in Chile when Pelé was unable to play due to an injury. His dazzling dribbles will always remain to the joy of the Brazilian people.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé, born for football in 1940 in Minas Gerais, is the god of football, the best player in history. Talking about him is talking about the football legend par excellence. His origins in a humble family, the son of a footballer father, Joao Ramos do Nascimento called or Dondinho, his beginnings in Santos where the second season would score so many goals that it became essential and that would be the beginning of an extraordinary relationship. He stayed at this club in the city of Santos in the State of Sao Paulo from 1956 to 1974 and allowed the team to become a team with extensive victories and exceptional years, especially in 1963 and 1963. His first World Cup in Sweden of 1958 with only 17 years with a semifinal won, with three goals from Pelé, by 5 to 2 against the French team that had another star, Just Fontaine, and the final against host Sweden for the same result 5-2, where Pelé scored 2 goals raised him to fame. The young man would be the second best scorer with 6 goals and from this World Cup he would become a star. This World Cup was the beginning of a long career of triumphs in the World Cups that would be repeated in the World Cup in Chile in 1962 and Mexico in 1970. The list of his decorations is endless but let us mention a few, Scorer of the Paulista Championship on 9 occasions and other distinctions that exceed the world of football such as Recipient of the Prize of the French Academy of Sports in 1971, Recipient of the International Peace Prize in 1978, Athlete of the Century by L'Équipe magazine in 1980 or the Honorary Golden Ball to his career through FIFA or his award from the Order of the British Empire in 1997. His total number of goals scored is more than 1200 with Santos, New York Cosmos where he finished his career and with the Brazilian National Team. His game can be summed up in two words, the beautiful game, a creative, intuitive game but it was not only that, he had an exceptional physique, technique and strength, he gave incredible passes, good headers, great shots from distance, he had it all, but above he was eager to score and enjoy the field.

Arthur Antunes Coimbra, Zico born in 1953, midfielder who dazzled in the 80s. He was faithful to Flamengo from 1971 to 1989 where he scored more than 508 goals and was a legend and where he won four national leagues and in 1981 the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Intercontinental 1981. He later played for Udinese Calcio in the Italian city of Udine and ended his career in no less than Japan at Kashima Antlers where he won the Japanese league and was later a coach in 1999 and a great promoter of football in Japan. . His stone on the way was not having been able to win a World Cup with the Brazilian team despite participating in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups in Spain and Mexico respectively but he is still one of the great Brazilian footballers, being the fourth scorer of the history national team. He was called Pelé Blanco, a great free kick taker, with fantastic assists and a great instinct to organize the game.

Socrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, Socrates, born in 1954, owes its philosophical name to his father in love with Greek philosophy. Socrates, by profession, is one of the great Brazilian soccer players of the 80s. His biography is full of curious anecdotes such as having promoted the establishment of democratic decision-making in the Corinthians de Sao Paulo team when Brazil was a dictatorship . In the parties he used his popularity as a political activist in favor of the poor and disadvantaged. He started at Botafogo in 1974 where he played four seasons, he played for Corinthians in Sao Paulo for six seasons until 1984, he was hired by Fiorentina of Italy where he stayed for a season to return to Brazil and play for Flamengo and Santos where he ended his career in 1989 although in his statistics it appears that he retired in Botafogo, a club that hired him in 1989 but in which he did not play any games. Together with Zico, he had the misfortune of not being able to win any World Cup despite participating in Spain 82 and Mexico 87 despite having been international in 60 games and scoring 22 goals. In 2004 he was distinguished as a member of the FIFA 100 list. He played in the midfield of a high 1.92 height but with a foot very small for his height, a great passer and dribbler and with a good powerful ball shot , his characteristic move was the backward heel of which he was a teacher. He became a benchmark for his elegance in the field, always with the composure of an English Lord with high head dominating the field.

Ronaldo Nazário, born in 1976, was the great Brazilian player of the 90s and the first decade of the 21st century. He started at Cruzeiro in 1993, he developed a large part of his career in Europe, first at Philipps SV, in the Barcelona one season, at Inter Milan five seasons to play for Real Madrid then another five seasons where he won the league in 2002 and 2007, AC Milan and finished at the Brazilian Corinthians. He participated in four World Cups, winning the United States in 1994 and South Korea and Japan in 2002, where he scored 15 goals, a record that earned him the title of top scorer. In fact, it is after Pelé the player who has scored the most goals with the Brazilian team, specifically 67. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1997 and in 2002. He was known as O fenômeno, considered one of the best center forward in football and his story. A very fast, agile player, king of the feint or dribbling to deceive the rival.

The Brazil retro football shirts represent the best football of all time, they are symbols that we can wear on our skin. Although it sounds strange in the first decades the color of the shirt was white with blue pants. From the Maracanazo it was changed so that the shirt that reflected the colors of the Brazilian flag, the iconic yellow shirt with a green collar.

Brazilan National Football Team at 1986 World Cup in Mexico

You can visit our section of shirts of the Brazil national football team, do not miss the 1958 Brazil blue shirt from the final against Sweden in the 1958 World Cup when the young Pelé left the whole world with their mouths open. In the description you can read why Brazil wears the away kit in blue. Or the shirt of Pelé's great moment at the 1970 World Cup, the 1970 World Cup Brazil Retro Shirt, one of the most charismatic in the history of football.

SIGNIFICANT RESULTS OF THE GERMAN FOOTBALL SELECTION AT THE WORLD CUP, EURO AND OLYMPIC GAMES:


TEAM OF GERMANY - WORLD CUPS:

1934 Italy World Cup: Third position

1954 World Cup Switzerland: Winner

1958 World Cup in Sweden: Fourth position

World Cup 1966 England: Finalist, Second position

1970 World Cup Mexico: Third position

World Cup Germany 1974: winner

World Cup Spain 1982: Finalist, Second position

1986 World Cup Mexico: Finalist, Second position

World Cup 1990 Italy: Winner

2002 World Cup Japan and South Korea: Finalist, Second Place

2006 World Cup Germany: Third position

2010 World Cup South Africa: Third place

World Cup 2014 Brazil: Winner
 

GERMAN TEAM - EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS:

 
EURO 1972 Belgium: Winner

EURO 1976 Yugoslavia: Finalist, Second place

EURO 1980 Italy: Winner

EURO 1988 Belgium: Semi-finalist

EURO 1992 Sweden: Finalist, Second place

EURO 1996 England: Winner

EURO 2008 Austria / Switzerland: Finalist, Second place

EURO 2012 Poland and Ukraine: Semi-finalist

EURO 2016 France: Semi-finalist

 
TEAM OF GERMANY - OLYMPIC GAMES:


1928 Amsterdam Olympics: Quarter-finals

1936 Berlin Olympics: Quarter-Finals

MYTHICAL PLAYERS FROM THE HISTORY OF GERMAN FOOTBALL

The great German footballers of all time have given us remarkable moments. We want to remember them in this column.

Uwe Seeler, born in 1936, was one of the team's great attackers. His beginnings were marked by his family since his father was also a footballer. Born in Hamburg, he played for the team of his city the Hamburger Sport-Verein from 1954 to 1972, club where during the 1960 season he won the German League, the Bundesliga. He was so appreciated by Hamburg supporters that he never wanted to sign for other teams despite the offers. He only ended his career with Cork in Ireland. He has scored more than 400 goals in these teams. He also participated with the German national team in the World Cups of 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970 but unfortunately did not obtain the victory for the Teutonne team, the best classification being in 1966 when Germany s 'is ranked second. He has the title of captain of honor of the German team after having worn this bracelet 40 times. Seller had a strong nerve and potential, very precise in the execution of the strikes, and not being very large very precise in the headshots. In Hamburg, he was idolized, he was affectionately known as "our Uwe" and he even has a huge sculpture of his foot outside the stadium of the Hamburg club.


Franz Beckenbauer, born in 1945 in Munich, the city where his career will take place, in particular at Club Bayern Munich where he played from 1963 to 1977. He then signed with the New York Cosmos, where he remained 4 seasons until 1980, date he moved to play with Hamburg SV, remaining two seasons between 1980 and 1982. He ended his career in New York in 1983. With Bayern FC, he won four titles in the German Bundesliga championship and three Champions Leagues . He was the architect of the German National Team's triumph at the 1974 World Cup, contested at home, a victory which is the best expression of ecstasy for German football supporters. He had already played in the 1966 and 1970 World Cups. He also won the title of winner of the 1972 European Nations Championship and was a finalist in the 1976 Euro. Among many other distinctions, Beckenbauer, nicknamed the Kaiser, won the Ballon d'Or in 1972 and 1976. The International Federation for Football History and Statistics considers him the best German football player in history. As coach, he led the German team during the 1990 World Cup victory in Italy. His game was elegant, always decisive, extremely fast, a central titan par excellence who played the post of libero.

 
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, born in 1955, the German striker has played for Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. With Bayern, he won two Champions League titles in 1975 and 1976 as well as two Bundesliga league titles in 1980 and 1981. With the German National Team Rummenigge won the Euro in 1980 and won was a finalist twice at the World Cups in Spain and Mexico, in 1982 and 1986 respectively. He previously competed in the 1978 Argentina World Cup without much success. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1980 and 1981. He was a very fast, sharp striker, and with his great talent his shots have always found their way to the goal.

 
Lothar Matthäus, born in 1961, player of an endless career. He played for Borussia Mönchengladbach, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich where he won seven titles in the German league, the Bundesliga. He has the record of participation in the World Cups, in particular in 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998, winning the title of champion at the World Cup Italy 1990. He also participated in four Euro, winning the first of 1980 He ended his career as a coach. The midfielder and Libero, nicknamed Loddar, knew the right moment to pass the ball or dribble, he also had a very powerful shot.

The jerseys of the German football team in 1908 by tradition were black with white sleeves following the Prussian color, then from 1930 became white. The second equipment was green, the predominant color of the Deutscher Fußball-Bund, the German Football Federation. The other colors of the second German shirt were black and red. The crest of the imperial eagle appears on the left side, the side of the heart.

From the mid-1980s, as with the jerseys of other European teams, details with the colors of the flag of Germany began to be included to make the jerseys more attractive, leaving aside the simplicity and concision that the shirts of the German selection have always had.

Leuzela, Umbro and Erima were the brands that have dressed the players of the German National Team since the 1950s. The Adidas brand took over as the brand responsible for making the jerseys of the German nation from 1980 .

In our Retrofootball® section, you can visit the shirts of the German National Football Team, "Die Mannschaft", the best team in European football in terms of victories, efficiency and performance. For all fans of the best football of all time.

More specifically, if we go back to 1904 when the French football team made its debut against the Belgian team in a match that ended in a draw, 3-3. For the occasion, the team wore a white jersey. It was not until 1908 that the team wore the blue color of the Capetian dynasty, a dynasty that began its reign in 987 ending in 1792. In other words, the great French republican values ​​made an exception with the color of the Blue in sport by accepting the royal color for his jerseys.

Football in France is the king sport like in the rest of Europe and this is not surprising since France is among the teams of the most successful European nations in the world ranking.

We especially highlight the triumphs in two World Cups in 1998 and 2018 and in two European Championships that of 1984, its first major title and that of 2000. France is in the top 5 worldwide titles. As we can see, France shone from the 80s, unlike other teams that had their stellar moment in the 60s like the English team, or even before.

France national football team  - EURO 1984

But let's take a look at the team record for participation in World Cups and the European Championship, where we will include victories, semi-final and final qualifications. This will allow us to have a clear image, a photograph of arrival, of the Blues' ability to compete in major championships.

MOST SIGNIFICANT RESULTS OF THE FRANCE FOOTBALL TEAM:

EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS:

• 1960 European Championship in France: the French team will reach the semi-finals. But from this championship Les Bleus will only qualify in 1984 to play another Euro.

• European Championship 1984 in France: Les Bleus won their first major football championship.

• Euro England 1996: The French team will play and finish fourth.

• Euro 2000 in Belgium and the Netherlands: The French team wins the European Championship with a gold goal from Trezeguet.

FOOTBALL WORLD CUP:

• 1958 World Cup Sweden: The team finishes third.

• 1982 Spain World Cup: the team finishes fourth.

• 1986 Mexico World Cup: The French players finish in third position.

• 1998 France World Cup: Les Bleus, World Champions and glory at home.

• 2006 German World Cup: The team finishes second.

• Russian World Cup 2018: The French team wins the last World Cup.

OLYMPIC GAMES:

• Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games: a selection of non-professional players will win the Gold Medal.

LEGENDARY PLAYERS OF FRANCE TEAM FOOTBALL. Here are some interesting profiles:

To follow we will do a little recap of the legendary players, the sparkling stars on the playground of the past. Those who at the time made the stadiums tremble with their games and their goals.

1950s: Juste Fontaine. If we imagine a top player of modern football we can affirm that Just Fontaine was the French top player of the 1950s. He was born in Morocco, still a French colony, in the French protectorate of Marrakech. He began his professional career in the U.S. Moroccan team, to play later in France at the O.G.C Nice and at the Stade de Reims. With the French National Team he has played since 1953, participating in the 1958 Swedish World Cup where he played in the semi-final against the young Pelé. Although the French team lost the game, Just Fontaine has held the title of top scorer since this World Cup with 13 goals, a record not yet beaten by any other player in the history of the World Cups. He also participated in the 1960 European Championship where he scored 8 goals. He was a player who scored from all angles, he was always where the ball was headed, a player with incredible greed for goal, a footballer who wrote an interesting page in the history of world football.

Just Fontaine on the field - Années 50

1950: Raymond Kopa born in 1931, son of Polish emigrants in France, Kopa will evolve at the Stade de Reims before signing with Real Madrid, the club where he will stay from 1956 to 1959 and where he will win three Champions League UEFA. Regarding his participation in the French National Team, this brilliant player played the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland and the 1958 World Cup alongside Just Fontaine, where his participation earned him the Ballon d'Or of 1958, among many other distinctions he received during his career. He was a very fast, very powerful player. It was almost impossible to strip him of the ball.

You have to go back to the 80s and 90s to find figures of great international projection. This does not mean that there are no interesting names in the 60s and 70s. We find François Heutte who was the top scorer with 2 goals in the 1960 European Championship in France where the Blues would reach the semi-finals, or Gondet the leader in the field of the 1966 World Cup or Djorkaeff, Lemerre and Loubet in the 70s. But really the 60s and 70s were years of blackout and restructuring. The team meanwhile is trying to gain strength for the apotheosis of the 80s.

1980s: Michel Platini. Midfielder, goalscorer, great free kick taker, passer, visionary of the game. All of this was Platini, who is considered the best French player of the 20th century, which is no small task. Born in 1955, he played for Nancy, AS Saint-Etienne and Juventus. He won three Ballons d'Or in 1983, 1984 and 1985, a whole kingdom in the 80s. As for his participation in the World Cups and the Euro, we highlight the victory in the 1984 European Championship and the third and fourth place at the 1986 and 1982 World Cups.

90s: Zinedine Zidane. Born in France in 1972, the son of Algerian parents, he played as a midfielder. A player with a lot of temperance, but a lot of inventiveness, game organizer, offensive, great passer, good goal scorer, Zidane has everything that any player would like to have. Player of the clubs AS Cannes, FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Juventus FC and Real Madrid where he ended his career in 2006, he shone with the French National Team. In its wake, the French Team won its first World Cup 1998, disputed in France, and the European Championship 2000. He had all the qualities to win, but he also had the chance to do so, this which doesn't always happen, let's see the example of Messi with the Argentinian team. From the long and endless list of distinctions, we recover the 1998 Ballon d'Or.

  France at 1958 World Cup

The France National Football Team shirts with its sparkling blue reflect energy, perseverance, the course of history, mythical moments like the France retro shirt of the 1950s generation of Fontaine and Kopa, with a polo collar and a big rooster in the part of the heart.

Also the France 1970s V-neck football shirt with the colors of the French flag on the collar as well as on the short sleeves, a magnificent jersey with an always current style.

  France national footbal team in the 1970s

To be able to take advantage of this, you can visit our selection of France Vintage Shirts. An invitation to relive the history of football with something tangible, the best memory, a jersey replica of the best moments of French football that we will feel in our own skin.

We continue with the challenge of configuring with your help the best football team in history. To do this, we have drawn up a list of legendary players based on the number or main number they have worn throughout their football career.

This time we focus on number 8. In principle, eight was the number of the players who in the midfield occupied the position of a central midfielder or organizing midfielder.
Those football players with good technique and very tactical, who with a lot of dynamics and speed, contributed fluidity in the ball control and game occasions. In the history of football, we have seen very different players with this number, both defensive players and footballers with a lot of creativity and good finishing shots.

Help us choose the best 8 in the history of football. A mythical number and full of symbolism. Great football legends have taken him and we want to choose the best to configure our best 11 in the history of football. Thanks for helping us #Retrofootballers.

The mechanics of the contest will be simple. We have drawn up a pre-selection of 16 players (round of 16) who have taken number 11 overall in their careers with the national team or with their club. These soccer legends will face individual duels to continue advancing in the box. Voting can be done in the "stories" of the retrofootball instagram (link). The tournament starts on Thursday, June 25 at 12:00, Among all the participants we will raffle a retro football shirt from our collection.

COMPETITION TABLE:

Below we present the table of the tournament Best No. # 8. In it appear players of the stature of Andres Iniesta, (many trophies won with this number in FC Barcelona, ​​while he chose number 6 for the selection), or legends of the Premier League such as Gerrard and Lampard. We leave you below the single match duels table. We are looking for the best 8 in the history of football and you are going to decide who wins.

ROUND OF 16 MATCHES:

Every day we will have a round with its corresponding duels. We will start with the Round of 16, continuing with the Quarterfinals, the Semifinals and the Final.

The Round of 16 will begin on Thursday at 12:00 pm with these duels:

- Gerrard vs Tardelli

- Stoickhov vs Gascoigne

- Gattuso vs Scholes

- Lampard vs Socrates

- Iniesta vs Gerson

- Rijkaard vs Desailly

- Juninho vs Schuster

- Michel vs S. Mazzola

The most voted player in each match will go through. For example, on Thursday Romario and Miroslav Klose will come face to face and you have to vote for the player you like the most in our Instagram Stories.
We start on Thursday June 25th at 12:00. Thanks to all #retrofootballers for participating! Good luck and win the best eleven in the history of football.

After World War II, the defeated Greater Germany is divided between East and West. Two national football teams will emerge from this split. In this article we will talk about the East German National football Team, called the German Democratic Republic, DDR, the initials of the German name, or East Germany.

East Germany was founded in 1949 on German territory that came under the occupation of the Soviet Union. This nation subsisted until the Berlin Wall fell in 1990 and the unification of the two Germanies took place in what we now know simply as Germany.

Throughout the existence of East Germany there were tensions resulting from the Cold War between the western bloc and the communist countries, with struggles to demonstrate which political and economic management was more efficient, whether those of western democracies with capitalist economies or the countries communists with state-planned economies. In fact, West Germany did not recognize Democratic Germany until the 1970s, considering the nation as a territory under Soviet occupation. Berlin-East was the capital divided by the Berlin Wall.

This was very broadly the political context. But how was the history of thefootball team? Was it overshadowed by the football power of West Germany? Let's look at its history.
The players of the East German team came from teams from the Eastern territory such as the Dynamo in Berlin, the Lokomotiv in Leipzig, the Dynamo in Dresden or the Carl Zeiss in Jena, Magdeburg, FC Karl-Marx-Stadt, Hansa Rostock who played in the first division of the East German league, the DDR Oberliga, organized by the Football Federation of the German Democratic Republic.

Of all these clubs the Dynamo Berlin was the team that won the most titles, with 10 DDR Oberliga titles, after the Berlin club was the Dynamo Dresden with 8 and FC Vorwärts Berlin that took 6 leagues, followed by Jena, Magdeburg and Karl-Marx-Stadt with three leagues each. In the international arena, Magdeburg was the only one to claim a European victory, specifically the 1974 Cup Winners Cup against AC Milan, a milestone in the Iron Curtain period.

However, it should be noted that today of all these clubs, none play in the Bundesliga, the first division of the German league and only three of them are in the second division; Energie Cottbus, Rostock and Union Berlin. As in other areas of German society, reunification did not occur on equal terms to the detriment of East Germany. Many of these teams were gradually being relegated to lower categories and lost the glory they once had, including FC Berlin, which is in the Fifth Division, or the Dynamo of Dresden, which plays Third Division, or the successful Magdeburg, which plays also in lower categories, specifically in the Fourth Division.

As for the selection of the DDR of the German Democratic Republic, it was nurtured by the potential of these teams but was not as successful as its rival from West Germany. Possibly the reason has to do with the difficulty of controlling what happens in the field by the political power. football is unpredictable and in the communist bloc they preferred to dedicate resources to athletics or individual sports where athletes were controlled even with doping. Much has been said about this tragedy for many athletes. Among others, this could be one of the possible reasons.

SIGNIFICANT RESULTS OF THE DDR NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM AT THE WORLD CUP, EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS AND OLYMPIC GAMES:

His participation in World Cups was very limited, he participated in the 1974 World Cups and got eliminated in the round of 16. He also failed to qualify to play in a Euro Cup.

His greatest football deployment was at the Olympic Games. And it is not surprising since the Olympics were the best showcase for the communist countries, where they showed their sports power, their iron discipline through the medal count of their athletes. In the Olympics, the two opposing sides of the Iron Curtain fought.

1974 World Cup

It is the only World Cup in which East Germany participated, the DDR and had truly stellar moments that have been left for history, such as the match that was played between the two Germanies that won, 1-0, the DDR in a duel in the prestige of the two blocks was at stake. They had fallen in the same group in phase 1 and the German team from the GDR was in the first position in this group. Great stars like Beckenbauer, goalkeeper Sepp Maier, Breitner, or Müller played in the West German team. Hence, Jürgen Sparwasser's goal was a symbol. In the GDR team, we find great players like Joachim Streich, Hans-Jürgen Kreische, and Eberhard Vogel the three great scorers for East Germany.

But in football, fate tends to be cruel with the less strong teams and in the 1974 World Cup, the West German team will finally be the winner, leaving East Germany in the sixth position. The reason; by winning the East to the West the Westerners fell in the next group stage easier which allowed them not to have to face for example Brazil.

                                                                East Germany (DDR) World Cup 1974

Gold Medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics

His participation in the Olympic Games left a good trail of triumphs such as the Gold Medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games where they beat Poland in the final 3 to 1 with goals from Hartmut Schade and Martin Hoffmann and Reinhard Haefner. The Soviet Union took the Bronze Medal, which certifies that the football teams of the Eastern bloc attached great importance to the football teams in the Olympic Games.

Silver Medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics

Four semi-finalist football teams from Eastern countries battle to reach the final at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, the German Democratic Republic, the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia. The final will be played between the football teams of East Germany and Czechoslovakia, which will win by 1 goal to 0. In the German team, Wolfgang Steinbach will play among others, who took the title of best player in the history of Magdeburg.

Bronze Medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 1964 and Munich 1972

In the Tokyo 64 Olympics Germany will be third after winning the match for the Bronze Medal against the United Arab Republic 3 to 1. It will win the Gold Hungary and Silver Czechoslovakia.

At the Munich 72 Olympics, the East German team will win the match for third place against Blokhin's Soviet Union. Gold will go to the Polish football team and the Silver Medal to the Hungarian team. In the German team, we find players such as Bernd Bransch, the captain, Jürgen Pommerenke, Jürgen Sparwasser, Hans-Jürgen Kreische and the goalscorer Joachim Streich and the goalkeeper Jürgen Croy.

DDR MYTHICAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS - EAST GERMANY FOOTBALL LEGENDS

The DDR football gave its iconic figures that remain in the memory of all East German supporters.

It is worth remembering through a review of some names:

Internationality: Joachim Streich, the famous DDR-Oberliga striker who boasts the most internationality in the history of his country, 102 games played with the German team. He is also the greatest scorer in the history of East German football.

Scorers: Joachim Streich with 55 goals, Hans-Jürgen Kreische with 25 goals, Eberhard Vogel with 25 goals

Joachim Streich, the forward was East Germany's top scorer with 55 goals. He was international 98 times from 1969 to 1984. He participated in the 1974 World Cup at the 1972 Olympics where East Germany took the Bronze Medal. He played among others at FC Hansa Rostock and FC Magdeburg and won the title of best scorer in the DDR-Oberliga in 1977, 1979, 1981 and 1983

Goalkeepers: Jürgen Croy, who is considered the best goalkeeper in the German Democratic Republic, participated in the 1974 World Cup and in the 1976 Montreal Gold Olympics.

Captains: Bernd Bransch, the international from 1967 to 1976 for 72 occasions and famous team captain. He played with SC Chemie Halle for most of his career and was selected for two seasons as the best player in the DDR Oberliga in 1968 and 1974.

                                                            Beckenbauer and Bernd Bransch, the German Captains World Cup 1974

He played in both Germanies: Matthias Sammer, born in Dresden in 1967, grew up in East Germany and played in his youth with Dinamo Dresden in whose quarry he was formed. After the fall of the wall, he went on to play for VfB Stuttgart in West Germany. He also played for Inter Milan, but in the Club where he really had the most success was Borussia Dortmund where he contributed to the victory in the 1997 Champions League and two German Bundesligas. He was the 1996 Ballon d'Or already playing in West Germany which is really where he dazzled, he is an interesting player for having formed in the East quarry and becoming part of the cast of the great players of Germany after reunification. In this sense, it is a symbol of concord.

Historical moments: Jürgen Sparwasser, dazzled the world for a single stellar moment in football history, the famous goal scored by goalkeeper Sepp Maier that led to the victory against West Germany in the 1974 World Cup. It was a The group stage, but this goal earned the East Germans to classify first in the group over their German rivals, which meant they had to face more dangerous rivals, such as Brazil. As we have previously indicated, the RFA won the championship. These are the games of football's destiny. The DDR players finished sixth. Raced at the 1972 Olympics when East Germany took the Bronze Medal. His career was carried out mainly at FC Magdeburg where he contributed to this club winning three Oberligas in the 1970s. One year before the fall of the Berlin Wall, he moved to Western territory.

The DDR retro football shirts show the initials of Deutsche Demokratische Republik (the German Democratic Republic) its hallmark and together with its shield, a hammer and a compass with a circle of spikes that the go-around. Three very important levels of every State, agriculture, industry, and the thought and science represented by the compass.

                                                  East Germany (DDR) vintage football shirt 1974

You can visit the Retrofootball® section dedicated to Germany vintage football shirts where we have reunited both national football teams. Among them you can find the famous Sparwasser goal shirt, the 1974 World Cup DDR Shirt, in blue or the white shirt 1974 World Cup DDR Away Shirt or the 1983 DDR Shirt.

                                                   East Germany versus Argentina World Cup 1974

We love the history of football, and there is no doubt that the shirts of the block of East of Democratic Germany are a hit of our followers. Do not miss this symbol of a time that was leaving a trail of good times and especially of players who made the dreams of the fans possible.

The mechanics of the contest will be simple: we have drawn up a pre-selection of 16 players (round of 16) who have worn number 11 in their career with the national team or with their club. These soccer legends will face individual duels to continue advancing in the tournament table. You can vote in the "stories" of the retrofootball instagram account (link). The tournament starts on Thursday, June 4 at 2:00 p.m., among all the participants we will raffle a vintage football shirt from retrofootball®’s collection.

COMPETITION TABLE:

Below we present the tournament table for our Best Nº # 11. You will find in the draw players of the amazing quality like Francisco Gento, the “galerna of the north” (with 6 European Cups under his belt), Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (the good one) or that mythical cartoon player named Romario. We leave you below the table of duels for the tournament. We are looking for the best number 11 in the history of football and you are going to decide who wins.

ROUND OF 16 MATCHES:

Every day we will have a round with its corresponding duels. We will start with the Round of 16, continuing with the Quarterfinals, the Semifinals and the grand Final.

The Round of 16 will begin on Thursday at 2:00 pm with these duels:

- Romario vs Klose

- Robben vs Di Maria

- Rummenigge vs Ratón Ayala

- Gigi Riva vs Boniek

- Salah vs Nedved

- Valdano vs. Giggs

- Gento vs. Tom Finney

- Mágico Gonzalez vs Drogba

The most voted player in each match will go through. For example, on Thursday Romario and Miroslav Klose will come face to face and you have to vote for the player you like the most in our Instagram Stories.

We start on Thursday June 4th at 14:00. Thanks to all #retrofootballers for participating! Good luck and win the best eleven in the history of football.

But the triumphs in football are not casual. They are often the product of long periods of maturation, of the strength and passion of the followers who never falter and of the football culture of a nation, of the high competition of the Spanish League, of the football clubs and their excellent work, of the football schools, the professionalism of the coaches and also of the destination. What happened in Spain in football was therefore maturing and this is what we will see next; the tradition and legacy of this centuries-old Spanish team.

The Spanish football team played its first international match in 1920, just one hundred years ago, against the Danish national team. Spain won 1 to 0 with the first goal in history scored by Patricio Arabolaza. Keep in mind that in the 30s the teams were measured against the rest in the competition organized within the framework of the Olympic Games. That is why we highlight the 1920 Olympics where the Spanish team won the Silver Medal. Among the players of those first Olympics, we find players who have been left for history; Jose Maria Belauste, Ramón Eguizábal, Arrate, Félix Sesúmaga who scored a double, Ricardo Zamora and Artola, Sabino Bilbao, Francisco Pagazaurtundua or José Samitier.

                                               Spain at the 1920 olympic games  - silver medal and football pioneers

There began everything that came later; the glory of the victorious Spanish team in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and in three European championships; the 1964 Euro Cup, the second European championship organized in the history of the Euro Cups, the one in Austria and Switzerland in 2008 and the one in Poland and Ukraine in 2012.

                                               Spain at the 2010 World Cup  - world champions

Let's look at the record of the Spanish team and we will realize its height in world football. We will include the victories, their participation in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, which will allow us to have a reliable image of their competitiveness.

SIGNIFICANT RESULTS OF THE SOVIET UNION IN WORLD CUP, EUROCOPAS AND OLYMPIC GAMES:

WORLD CUP:

1934 World Cup in Italy: Quarterfinals

1950 World Cup in Brazil: Fourth place

1986 World Cup in Mexico: Quarterfinals

1994 World Cup in USA: Quarterfinals

2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan: Quarterfinals

2010 World Cup in South Africa: Champion

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP:

Euro 1964: Champion

France Euro Cup 1984: Second place

England Euro Cup 1996: Quarter Finals

Belgium and Netherlands Euro Cup 2000: Quarter Finals

Austria and Switzerland Euro Cup 2008: Champion

Poland and Ukraine Eurocup 2012: Champion

OLYMPIC GAMES:

1920 Antwerp Olympics: Silver Medal

1928 Amsterdam Olympics: Quarter Finals

1992 Barcelona Olympics: Gold Medal

From 1948 onwards, the Olympic Games were played between non-professional teams and from 1992 onwards, under-23 teams.

As we see Spain is among the most successful teams worldwide. Keep in mind that only eight teams have won the World Cup and that Spain is also second in titles in the record for victories in the Euro Cup after Germany.

Since the players make the victories we pay tribute to some of our great legends of Spanish football of all time. Some of which could be unknown to us, but which at the time made stadiums tremble with their plays and goals.

That is why we highlight the 1920 Olympics where the Spanish team was the Silver Medal. Among the players of those first Olympics, we find players who have been left for history; Jose Maria Belauste, Ramón Eguizábal, Arrate, Félix Sesúmaga who scored a double, Ricardo Zamora and Artola, Sabino Bilbao, Francisco Pagazaurtundua

Ricardo Zamora was born in Barcelona in 1901 at the beginning of the 20th century. He is the divine soccer goalkeeper in Spain, considered one of the best football goalkeepers in the world in the 1920s and 30s. His career runs from 1916 to 1938. His international success is the Antwerp Olympics where he is considered the best goalkeeper in the competition. Spain takes the Silver Medal in those Olympics. He started at 15 playing for Spanish, he was signed by Barcelona for three seasons and of course, he was the iconic goalkeeper of Real Madrid from 1930 to 1936 where he won two League titles. During the national war, he was presumed dead several times, shot by the Republicans for not openly declaring himself a Republican. He remains hidden but he will end up spending a period in prison, he was released, he hid again and he left Spain on his way to Nice where he played for the OGC Nice, a club where he also started as a coach. The Nationals criticize him for not supporting his cause and the doorman in the newspaper Sport declares that he is not a fascist. Upon returning to Spain after the contest in 1939, he will train Atlético Aviación, the current Atlético de Madrid, where he remains for seven years and wins two Leagues. He will train other Spanish teams and also the Spanish national team in 1952. In the goalie he was safe protecting the team from adversaries with authority and strength, instilling great respect, he is also known for his great reflexes in his interventions.

Telmo Zarra, born in 1921 in Erandio, Basque Country, a great scorer in the history of Spanish football. He was born into a family of ten brothers, the two elder brothers were professional footballers but not with the same success as the younger brother. But these two brothers marked him. He held the record for the highest goalscorer in history on several occasions, even today he continues to hold the record as the Cup's top scorer with 81 annotations, unmatched if we also consider that Atlético de Bilbao won 5 times with his goals. He spent his entire career at Atlético de Bilbao where he still holds the title of top scorer with 335 goals. In 1943 he won the league with the Bilbao team. If we consider that he developed his career in from 1939 to 1957 we can get used to the idea of ​​his potential scorer. During his long career, he took the Marca Pichichi Trophy six times. As the history of this player is the history of his goals, we highlight the historic goal against England in the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, the goal from Maracana that qualified Spain for the final phase of the championship. A player with a born instinct to score, with instinctive ability to move around the field in search of the goal that allowed him to position himself in the right place, as well as a great marker for goals scored due to his height of one meter eighty, something not very common in those years.

Alfredo Di Stefano, born in 1926 in Buenos Aires, the historic player and President of Honor of Real Madrid. He previously played for River Plate since 1945 where he started as a player and stayed for four seasons and another four in Millionaires, whose Argentine culture he hardened as a player. His double love for Argentine and Spanish football allowed him to play for the Argentine team for 6 games and for the Spanish national team in 1956 after he became a Spanish national, where he played 31 games, although circumstances prevented him from competing in a World Cup until 1962. His fame in his time associates him with great historical figures such as Pelé, Maradona, Cruyff and he has been considered the best Spanish player of the 20th century. And it is that Di Stefano dazzled the world at Real Madrid where he won five European Cups and was nominated as top scorer in the first division on five occasions from 1954 to 1959 and winning the Ballon d'Or in 1957 and 1959. He finished his career at Espanyol for two seasons in 1966, that is, his long career spanned 20 years. He finished his career as a coach, among others Valencia, Rayo Vallecano, and Boca Juniors and the Argentine River Plate. Player of great ability and skill and his great quality was his versatility and having the gift of ubiquity, playing in all positions, and also well, as well as being a great game organizer and strategist. A very complete player.

Emilio Butragueño, born in 1963 in Madrid, the forward, head of the Quinta del Buitre that marked an era in Spanish football. He started in the lower categories of Real Madrid, played for Castilla from 1981 to 1984, and moved to Real Madrid from 1983 to 1995 where they won six leagues, two Cups and four Super Cups, two UEFA Cups but did not win any Champion League. For the Spanish team, he played in the 1986 World Cups where the team reached the quarterfinals and in 1990. He was selected for the 1984 Euro Cup where Spain was runner-up although he did not play, he played at Euro 1998. His greatest performance for the Spanish national team occurred in the framework of the 1986 World Cup and in the match against the Danish team where Butragueño scored the 4 goals of the match, which made him world-famous. Mexico elevated him and in a Mexican team ended his career in 1998 Atlético Celaya. He was a perfect assist-man, not so much a scorer, who also since he took the 1991 Pichichi Trophy with 19 goals, and especially creator of spaces, and above all, he did not receive a single red card in his entire career. He made the perfect couple with the Mexican Hugo Sanchez.

We want to name other players that we must not forget Xavi, Iniesta, Casillas, and Fernando Torres, the players who gave glory to the Spanish team as of 2008.

The Spanish Fury, La Furia, La Roja, the team's shirt lives up to the pseudonym. Already in the 20s of the 20th century, in their first international championship, the players who took the Silver Medal at the Olympics in Antwerp wore a red shirt with a Lion on the shield of King Alfonso XIII, on the right side, V neck with drawstrings. This style of the t-shirt was the usual one for the time of the '20s. From there the t-shirt will collect the vicissitudes of the history of Spain. It will collect the shield of the Spanish Football Federation in the 1920s, the away jersey will be white, and the first jersey will be light blue at some point, it will also include the stage of republican Spain and the Spain of the Franco dictatorship until arriving at the Democracy shirt and the constitutional shield.

We suggest you visit our section of jerseys of the Spanish football team.

Here you can buy the Spain retro shirt of the 80s of Maceda, "Lobo" Carrasco, Camacho, the twelve goals against Malta and of course at the end of the decade of the Quinta del Buitre. WIth this shirt Spain player a great Mexico 86 world cup Only the penalties shoot-out lost against Belgium kept the team away of the Semifinals, in where they would have player againts Argentina and Maradona.

                                                                       Spain 1980s football shirt

We also like the Spanish National team classic football Shirt in the 1990 World Cup. A World Cup in which the national team had high hopes and had Martin Vazquez in his footballing heyday but could not get past the round of 16. You will feel in your own skin the triumphs and history of the Spanish national football team.

                                                             Spain 1990 football shirt

Hello folks

Today May 19, 2020 some activities have resumed in some countries. Many of us are still confined in Europe and the World. Hopefully, this will be over soon, we are close to all the families who have lost loved ones.

In Retrofootball®, wanting to inspire people by reviving the legends of football, we propose a new tournament related to football, in particular, that of the past, which makes these days a little more bearable.

So, after choosing the best number 10 and best number 9 in the history of football, we decided to choose the best football player for each shirt number from 1 to 11. Are you in?

This new competition is "The Best 7". 

For many it is the most magical number in football. Many kids grow up dreaming of wearing the number 9 or 10, but the charm of 7 has few equals.
Usually chose by a wide player, in the last two or three decades the number has also been adopted by a number of more central forward players. It represents a real symbol in clubs like Manchester United or Real Madrid. 
Running free on the field, on that side band, leaving powerless opponents behind thanks to technique and speed, and perhaps even the instinct for the goal.

For The Best 7 Championship we have pre-selected players who had the only requirement to have worn the number 7 jersey in their career, with the clubs or with the national team. Therefore, we want to choose the best 7 in the history of football based on the #retrofootballers criteria and have fun while we try to snatch a smile from you, why not, some healthy competition in these times without football played.

We invite you to participate in The Best 7 Championship; a special tournament that will be played on our Instagram (@retrofootball.eu). For this we need your participation and collaboration. ⚽

It's a tournament between 16 legends of football history. You will have to vote for your favorite players at each round, until the final on Sunday 24th May. 

TABLE OF THE TOURNAMENT:

Let's start the competition with the round of 16. We leave you below the table so you can see the games that will be played starting tomorrow, Thursday 21 May at 14:00. We are looking for the best number 7 in football history and you can choose the winner.

ROUND OF 16:

From tomorrow, we will have one round per day. Starting with the Round of 16, then moving on to Quarter, Semi and Final:

- Cristiano Ronaldo vs Ribery
- Butragueño vs Del Piero
- George Best vs Stanley Matthews
- Jairzinho vs Figo
- David Beckham vs Garrincha
- David Villa vs Raúl
- Eric Cantona vs Bruno Conti
- Kenny Dalglish vs Shevchenko

The most voted player for each game will pass to next phase. For example, in the first duel CR7 and Ribery face each other, you can vote for your favorite through our Instagram Stories.

It starts on Thursday, May 21st at 14:00 Good luck and may the best number seven in the history of football win!

The beginnings of the Italian national soccer team date back to 1910 when they beat France with a forceful 6-2. At the level of international championships he played in the Olympic Games of 1920, 1924 and 1928. In these last Olympics he achieved his best classification reaching the semifinals. From these beginnings the Azzurri team as the Italian team is known will have a long history in which football and political events will be interconnected. In the 1930s, he achieved his first great triumph by winning the 1934 World Cup, when fascism was already imperversing for Italy and Mussolini was in power. They repeated the victory in the 1938 World Cups and the 1936 Olympic Games. The architect of all these triumphs is an outstanding coach; Vittorio Pozzo.

Italian national football team in 1910, friendly game Italy-France

After the Second World War, the football void produced by that contest, years of political upheaval, the creation of the Italian Republic in 1946 and some 50 years deserted by titles in the field of king sport, lead us to about 60 years where the Squadra Azzurra wakes up and begins again to be the team that was already shown in the 30s.

To remember the performances of the following decades, we review his victories, and the placements in the various tournaments in which he participated: World Championships, European Championships and Olympics.

SIGNIFICANT RESULTS OF THE ITALIAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM IN THE WORLD CUP, EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS AND OLYMPIC GAMES:

WORLD CUP:

World Cup 1934 in Italy: champion

World Cup 1938 in France: champion

Mexico '70 World Cup: second place

Argentina World Cup '78: fourth place

World Cup Spain '82: champion

World Cup Italy '90: third place

USA '94 World Cup: second place

France '98 World Cup: quarter-finals

World Cup 2002 South Korea Japan: round of 16

Germany World Cup 2006: champion

Italy wins the 1982 World Cup in Spain

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS:

Euro 1968 in Italy: champion

Euro 80 in Italy: semi-finalist

Euro '88 in Germany: semi-finalist

Euro 2000 Belgium and the Netherlands: second place

Euro 2008 Austria and Switzerland: quarter-finals

Euro 2012 Cup Poland and Ukraine 2012: second place

Euro 2016 in France: quarter-finals

OLYMPIC GAMES:

1920 Olympics in Antwerp: quarter-finals

1924 Olympic Games in Paris: quarter-finals

1928 Olympics in Amsterdam: bronze medal

1936 Olympic Games in Berlin: gold medal

Starting in 1948, the Olympics football competitions were played by non-professional players of amateur categories.

LEGENDS OF ITALIAN FOOTBALL
The Italian footballers who made history

Who are the best Italian footballers in history? Who are the legends of Italian football that remain in the mind of the fans?

Let's review them together:

Gigi Riva, born in 1944, was a legendary forward player of the 60s. His great feat is that, being so great and considered one of the best forwards of the second half of the 20th century, he remained throughout his career at the club that saw it grow; Cagliari Calcio, specifically from 1962 to 1976, a Sardinian Club that is not among the greats of the Italian league. With Gigi Riva this Club took their only Scudetto, their only league. With this team Riva won the title of top scorer in the Italian Serie A in three seasons; those of 1966/1967, 68/69 and 69/70. Already in the Italian national footbal team he won the only Euro Cup that Italy has won, the 1968 Italian Euro Cup scoring a goal in the final and participated in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico where he became a global star for his game and his goals although in the final the italian team could not take the victory as they had to face the most outstanding Brazil in history in the final, that of Pelé, Rivelino and Carlos Alberto. In fact, he holds the record for best scorer in the history of the Italian team with 32 goals in 42 games. He was nicknamed, Rombo di Tuono, the Fury of Thunder, for the shots that he kicked with his left foot, being one of the great experts with the left foot and in the forceful diagonals.

Gianni Rivera, born in 1943, in Alessandria, is one of the great Italian football players. He started his career at the club in his hometown where he played two seasons, but spent his entire career at AC Milan, from 1963 to 1979 where he contributed to the team winning two Champions League Leagues in 1963 and in 1969. After this second Champion League triumph, Gianni Rivera took the Ballon d'Or in 1969. A Ballon d'Or with a strong symbolic charge for being the first Italian player to obtain this distinction. For this reason, he is considered one of the best players in the history of Italian soccer. In the national team, like his teammate Gigi Riva, he participated in the triumph of the Italian team in the 1968 Euro Cup that was played in Italy, as well as in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, where he scored the winning goal in the semifinals in the extra-time of the match that is considered one of the most outstanding matches of the mother of global football competitions. That game against Germany, the so-called match of the century. The Golden Boy, one of the best 10 in history, was a great playmaker, he had eyes everywhere, his game was slow, rational and elegant but for that reason, he was a very imaginative player. Milan coach Nereo Rocco said that with him you could turn any situation, that he was a genius.

Paolo Rossi, born in 1956, the Italian striker of the 70s and 80s par excellence. Unlike his previous colleagues, he was an expert in the Italian league for having played on many different teams; Como, Vicenza, Perugia, Juventus, Milan and Verona. But it was at Juventus where he developed his full football potential from 1981 to 1985 by winning two Serie A Scudettos, one League Cup and a Champion League among other titles. As a Juventus player, he won the Ballon d'Or in 1982. That year is the year of his greatest successes, the year of the 1982 World Cup in Spain that Italy won. We have to highlight the three goals scored against the Brazilian team in the second phase of the World Cup and the first goal of the final against Federal Germany. He would take the Golden Boot as the top scorer in the competition with 6 goals. He also participated at the age of 21 in the Argentina 1978 World Cup where Italy was in fourth place thanks to, among others, 3 goals from our star. He also participated in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, that is, in the 70s and 80s he was a super-known international player outside his native Italy. We will forget the scandal of the sports betting Totonero for which he was sanctioned and had to remain inactive for two seasons. A very skillful player, fast, always well positioned, very attentive to any mistake of his opponents in the area, and with great success in his shots, qualities of a crack forward of his time.

Paolo Maldini, born in 1968, undoubtedly the best defensive left-back in Italian football history. This AC Milan star player spent his entire career with the Rossoneri team - from 1985 to 2009 - where he is considered a legend for the Milan fans. With the nickname of Il Capitano, he is the player with the most matches played in the history of the club. He came from caste since his father was a historical player of the Club and Paolo's sons play in the lower categories of Milan nowadays. In Milan, he has won everything, among the other: five Champions League championships, the first in 1989 and 1990 under the leadership of Sacchi and the last in 2007 and seven Scudetto's. In the National Team, he played for the first time in 1988 and was captain for 76 of the 126 matches in which he wore the Azzurri shirt. World Cups of 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002 but he could not fulfill his dream of winning a World Cup, the most precious award of every footballer who aspires to represent his country in victory. with the title of champion in a European Championship of the three in which he participated; Euro 1988, Euro 1996 and Euro 2000. Of all these participations we highlight the second place in the 1994 World Cup in the United States where Italy reached the final against Brazil by Romario and Bebeto but lost on penalties. In the Euro Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands they also qualified to play the final against the France of Zidane, Deschamps and Thierry Henry but the French won 2-1. Among the many distinctions, we highlight its inclusion in the ideal Eleven Starting team of World Soccer magazine. And finally AC Milan removed number 3 from the shirtsin his honor. As a left-back he appropriated his entire lane, with professionalism and elegance, his security was such that it also allowed him to go on the attack. His game, strength and personality gave a touch of legend to a position that in football does not usually have much publicity. Together with Costacurta, Baresi and Tassotti created a defense that is already historical and insurmountable.

Roberto Baggio, born in 1967 is probably the best 10, the playmaker in the history of Italian football. Divin Codino, the divine ponytail as it was called, played with many Italian teams starting in 1983 at Vicenza, then going through Fiorentina five seasons, at Juventus where he played five years and won the Serie A title in 1995, at Milan where he spent two seasons where he contributed to winning the Seria A, at Bologna one season, and at Inter where he stayed for two other seasons, ending his career in 2004 at Brescia after staying four seasons. In this team, they have removed the shirt with the number 10 in his honor. As for his participation in World Cups, the Italian team could count on his participation in the 1990 World Cups, the 1994 team together with Maldini where the Italian team was runner-up, he missed the last penalty in the final against Brazil, and in the 1998 World Cup. Like his compatriot Maldini, he could not win a World Cup or European Championship. Still, he scored 27 goals in 56 games, being the fourth-best goal scorer in Italian football. His golden year was 1993 where he won the UEFA Europa League and the Ballon d'Or in 1993 with Juventus. He was the star of the national team and for this, he is best known in the '90s football. He was a versatile player, we won't remember him for his titles but for his bright moments, such as the goal against Czechoslovakia in the 1990 World Cup, a dribble race against his rivals for fifty-meter. His speed, his dribbles, his control with the ball stuck to his feet, his genius blows, his anarchic game on the field with his changes of pace or idea of ​​play, but disciplined in training, an intuitive, poetic football that we miss a lot right now.

Italia '90: Baggio's Czechoslovakia goal

The Italian national team retro shirts are jerseys of great elegance. We invite you to visit the section of classic shirts of Italy on Retrofootball®. You can take a tour of the historical jerseys of Italy with its characteristic blue color of the House of Savoy, the Royal House that participated in the unification of the Italian nation, and the emblem of the Italian flag in the heart.

Italian national team at Mexico 1970 World Cup

You can start with the vintage shirt of Italy 1968-1970 when the Italian team won the 1968 European championship, continuing with the away shirt of the 1982 World Cup, a white polo shirt with the colors of the Italian flag on the neck and short sleeves or Italy's retro shirt at the 1990 World Cup. Each shirt brings back the legends that have worn them in international competitions, honoring it and contributing to the myth of the Azzurri.

Timeless shirts that will never go out of style to relive the colors of the history of Italian football on your skin.

Hi folks!

Today, 5 May 2020, a new phase of this strange situation we are experiencing has just begun in Europe. We continue to face it with courage and common sense thinking of all the families who have lost loved ones.

In Retrofootball® we dedicate our days to inspiring people by reviving the legends of football, and in this moment when football is absent from the fields and from the televisions and we do not know when it will return, we want to try to distract you and offer you a new tournament by contrasting some football legends.

A few weeks ago with our Instagram #retrofootballers we chose the best jersey in the history of Europe and the best soccer jersey in the history of the Champions League.
After choosing the best number 10 in football history, this time it's time to choose the best number 9 in history. Who will you vote for this time?

This new competition will be called "The Best 9 - Master Striker Championship". Striker is the term used to define the typical center forward with the goal instinct, always in the right place at the right time, ready to finalize the team's action. It is the player who keeps the ball allowing the team to go out and who is found in the center of the area at the time of the cross. What we know as "number 9".
The original "9" is the goleador, the center forward, the finalizer, or simply The Bomber.
It is a shirt number that symbolizes dexterity, physical strength, cunning, and above all a great desire to score.

For this The best 9 - Master Striker Championship we chose players who had as their only requirement that they had worn the number 9 shirt in their career, with the clubs or with the national team. We, therefore, want to choose the best 9 in the history of football based on the criteria of the #retrofootballers and have fun together, while we try to make you smile, and why not, to have a little healthy competition in these times when we miss football matches.

To play The best 9 - Master Striker Championship just go to our Instagram (@ retrofootball.eu) and vote for your favorite Striker.

The Master Striker Championship is a tournament between 16 legends in the history of football. You will have to vote for your favorite players at each round, until the final on Sunday 10 May.

TABLE:

Let's start the competition with the round of 16. We leave you below the game board so you can see the challenges that will be played starting today, Thursday 7 May at 14:00. We are looking for the best number 9 in football history and you can choose the winner.

ROUND OF 16:

From tomorrow, we will have one round a day. Starting with the Round of 16, then moving on to Quarter, Semi and Final:

- Ronaldo vs Eto'o
- Luis Suarez vs Fernando Torres
- Batistuta vs Inzaghi
- Ibrahimovic vs Kubala
- Alfredo Di Stefano vs Lewandowski
- Bobby Charlton vs Gerd Müller
- Hugo Sanchez vs Alan Shearer
- Van Basten vs Nordahl

The most voted player for each game will pass. For example, tomorrow O 'Fenomeno Ronaldo and Samuel Eto'o will face each other, you can vote for your favorite through our Instagram Stories.

It starts tomorrow Thursday 7 May at 14:00. Good luck and may the best bomber, delantero, goleador, striker in football history win!

But the ideal framework of the time for international matches to be played was produced at the Olympic Games, more specifically at the 1908 London Olympics where the first international championship of our favorite sport was held. England would dictate its superiority over all rivals, dominance that did not end until 1920.

England National Football Team 1908

Apart from the Olympic Games, with few exceptions such as the games played against Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia in 1908, the meetings between the nations of the British Isles continued until before the start of the First World War.

Due to divergences with Fifa, England did not play in the 1930 or 1934 World Cups until 1950 when it did participate in the World Cup and since then the effort to qualify and win in this international competition has been recurring.

SIGNIFICANT RESULTS OF THE ENGLAND NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM IN WORLD CUP, EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP AND OLYMPIC GAMES:

Let us recap their victories, efforts in the Olympic Games, European Championships, and World Cups that will give us a reliable image of the competitive capacity of this team. We will include his soccer feats in the quarterfinals, semi-finals, and finals.

As we will see, it will be a team that has always fought for titles, reaching almost always the quarterfinals, but lacking the final push to win more titles deserved by their great legendary players, the passion and involvement of English fans and tradition. of its long history. His great victory having won the 1966 World Cup playing at home. His thorn nailed; not having won any Europan Championship.

Bobby Moore raising the 1966 World Cup trophy

WORLD FOOTBALL:

1954 Swiss World Cup: Quarter Finals

1962 Chile World Cup: Quarter Finals

England World Cup 1966: Champion. He will play the final against Federal Germany, winning the title of champion by winning 4-2 after 120 minutes of play.

1970 World Cup in Mexico: Quarterfinals

World Cup Mexico 1986: Quarterfinals

World Cup Italy 1990: Fourth place in the table

1998 France World Cup: Round of 16

World Cup South Korea Japan 2002: Quarter Finals

World Cup Germany 2006: Quarter Finals

South Africa World Cup 2010: Round of 16

Russia World Cup 2018: Fourth position in the table

FOOTBALL EUROPEAN CHAMPIPONSHIPS:

1968 European Championship Italy: Semifinals rising to 3rd position in the table

England Euro 1996: Semifinals taking 3rd place in the table

Euro 2004 Portugal: Quarterfinals

Euro Cup Poland and Ukraine 2012: Quarter Finals

OLYMPIC GAMES:

1900 Olympics: Gold Medal

Olympics 1908: Gold Medal winning the final against Denmark 2-0

Olympic Games 1912: Gold Medal Gold Medal again winning the final against Denmark 4 to 2

Olympics 1936: reached the quarterfinals

Olympic Games 1948: Fourth position

1956 Olympics: Quarter Finals

Subsequently, it will not qualify or play until the 2012 Games where it will reach the quarterfinals.

LEGENDARY PLAYERS OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLISH FOOTBALL

We are going to give you some names from the sauteed history of English football and some more detailed references to the great football figures of all time.

40s and 50s

Billy Wright, born in 1924, is a historic player in the English team for having played more than 100 times with the English team and being a legendary team captain, who took the team to the 1950s World Cups of great importance to the imagination. of English football fans for being the first in which the team participated. He played mainly in the midfielder position and was never reprimanded for what is considered a true defense knight. He played for his entire life for the Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, the West Middlands Club, a team that has dedicated a statue to him outside the Stadium for being a true legend. In 1957 he was second after Di Stefano to take the Ballon d'Or.

60s

Bobby Charlton, born in 1937, the great lord of English football. With the English team, he has scored 49 goals in 106 games. And he was one of the architects of the victory of the English team in the soccer World Cup played in England in 1966. A milestone that will always be linked to his name and for which he took the Ballon d'Or in 1966. The club where he made Almost his entire career is Manchester United with which he took numerous titles including the 1968 European Cup. Center-forward with an impressive shot on goal, high speed, good game organizer, and nose to make super successful passes to his playmates.

Bobby Moore, born in 1941, is one of the best defenders in the history of English football. He was captain of the English team for 90 games. He played fair and for this, he will always be remembered, he played ahead of his attacking rivals. His historic participation in the victory of the 1966 England World Cup reserved for himself a place in the history of British Isles soccer. The team where he spent most of his career was West Ham United where he played for almost twenty years.

Jimmy Greaves, born in 1940. He is England's third-highest scorer of all time after Bobby Charlton and Gary Lineker with 44 goals in 57 games. A record. He played for Chelsea, Milan but the Club of his loves was Tottenham Hotspur FC where he played throughout the 1960s. In that decade he was one of the great scorers in the English League up to six times and still holds the title Tottenham Hotspur FC's top scorer. Among other feats, he participated in the legendary 1966 World Cup that the English team won.

80s

Bryan Robson, born in 1957 was one of the best players of his time. His career with the English team extends throughout the 80s where he played 90 games with the Three Lions where he was captain and played in the World Cups of 1982, 1986, and 1990. During the 80s and early 90s, he played in Manchester United where he was also an iconic captain at Old Trafford although he started at West Bromwich Albion and ended his career at Middlesborough.

Gary Lineker, born in 1960, is well known in Spain for his time in Barcelona in the 80s where he won the 1989 European Cup Winners' Cup. He is one of the most famous center forwards of his time. He was Silver Ball in 1986 and Golden Boot as top scorer after scoring 6 goals in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and is also the second great scorer for the English team. He started his career at Leicester City, passing through Everton, FC Barcelona among others. He had an instinct for the goal, he was everywhere that drove the opponent crazy, he moved like a mouse all over the field, and as he was a great auctioneer and also a great header, the goals always came.

Gary LIneker in 1990

Other great players from the 80s: John Barnes who played for England between 1983 and 1995, Kevin Keegan, Paul Gascoigne or Glenn Hoddle.

90's

In the 90s we found players like Alan Shearer or the ultra-famous David Beckham who extended his career from 1996 to 2009.

2000s

Some memorable names from the 2000s; Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole

The English national team shirts are the second skin of all these players, the symbol that has gone through all these times. We invite you to browse the section of our website dedicated to the English team.

Among the shirts you can find, we highlight the England 1966 Shirt for being the shirt with which the English players proclaimed themselves world champions. A shirt that embodies all the values of English football. The Three Lions and the Tudor Roses on the shield are impressive. Or the 1982 England retro shirt in white and red, a replica of the one worn by English players including Bryan Robson, Kevin Keegan and Glenn Hoddle where they had to return home without having lost a single match. The shirt is spectacular, one of the most beautiful of all time.

Engand National Football Team in 1982

The most tangible things about this king sport that we love so much are its shirts, so don't miss out on feeling the most exciting football history on your own skin, a gift full of love for football.

Hello friends

Today is April 22, 2020. We are still all confined in Europe and the world. A new situation that we face with courage and rigor in many parts of the world and thinking of all the families who have their lost loved ones.

In Retrofootball®, wanting to inspire people by reviving the legends of football, we want to accompany you in this difficult phase and propose a new tournament related to football, in particular, that of the past, which makes these days a little more bearable.

So, after choosing the best shirt in the history of Europe and the best football shirt in the history of the Champions League, this time we propose you to choose the best number 10 in the history of football. Are you in?

We decided to call this new competition "The Best 10 - Master Playmaker Championship". "Playmaker" is the term used in England to define those numbers 10 with class and vision, and defines quite well what a number 10 represents in a football team, literally the one who "makes the play".
He is the player who creates occasions and lead the game, the player from which the most dangerous occasions start and who leads the offensive phase. The number 10 or the playmaker (the one who always want the ball), the director, is, in fact, the magic number in the history of football. It is a number that symbolizes creativity, magic, art, fun, and vision in a single shirt.

ForThe Best 10 - Master Playmaker Championship we have pre-selected players who had the only requirement to have worn the number 10 jersey in their career, with the clubs or with the national team. Therefore, we want to choose the best 10 in the history of football based on the #retrofootballers criteria and have fun while we try to snatch a smile from you, why not, some healthy competition in these times without football played.

We invite you to participate in The Best 10 - Master Playmaker Championship; a special tournament that will be played on our Instagram (@retrofootball.eu). For this we need your participation and collaboration. ⚽

The Master Playmaker Championship is a tournament between 16 legends of football history. You will have to vote for your favorite players at each round, until the final on Sunday 26 April. One of the participants will win one of our retro football shirts worn by one of the participating legends.

TABLE OF THE TOURNAMENT:

Let's start the competition with the round of 16. We leave you below the table so you can see the games that will be played starting tomorrow, Thursday 23 April at 14:00. We are looking for the best number 10 in football history and you can choose the winner.

ROUND OF 16:

From tomorrow, we will have one round per day. Starting with the Round of 16, then moving on to Quarter, Semi and Final:

- Pelé vs. Michael Laudrup
- Ruud Gullit vs. Michel Platini
- Baggio vs. Luis Suarez
- Ronaldinho vs. Messi
- Maradona vs. Teofilo Cubillas
- Totti vs. Pibe Valderrama
- Matthaus vs. Zidane
- Zico vs. Francescoli

The most voted player for each game will pass to next phase. For example, today O'Rei Pele and Michael Laudrup face each other, you can vote for your favorite through our Instagram Stories.

It starts tomorrow Thursday, April 23 at 14:00 Good luck and may the best regista, fantasista, playmaker in the history of football win!

After the Russian Revolution, clubs will be founded by the union of estates, associations, ministries. This is how the town's football club will appear, such as Spartak and the Dynamo where the members of the secret services and the Ministry of the Interior met to play, the army for the CSKA or the Lokomotiv where the workers of the railway industry were located.

The record of this team is not brilliant in terms of titles but it does allow us to have a still photograph of what their career has been that we can summarize in this sentence: a team that is respected and feared, an expert in the Euro Cup competition that has won in one occasion in 1960, where it has always been very effective, that has fought in the round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals for the titles, that has always been there, with a game based on their physical strength and the tactical discipline of the group against the individualities, a style of play imposed to their rivals.

Here is a photo of the Soviet national football team that participated in the 1962 World Cup organized in Chile. The Soviet team lost in the quarterfinals to the host team, Chile, in a match played on June 10, 1962 in Arica.

SIGNIFICANT RESULTS OF THE SOVIET UNION IN WORLD CUP, EUROCOPAS AND OLYMPIC GAMES:

WORLD CUP:

• 1966 England World Cup: they reach the semifinals where they lose to the Federal Republic of Germany by 2 to 1.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS:

• 1960 European Championship: Champions, their first Euro Cup

• 1964 Euro Cup: they play the final against Spain and lose.

• 1972 Euro cup: they will reach the final against Germany but will lose by remaining second.

• 1988 European Championship: finalist against the Netherlands. Second place.

OLYMPIC GAMES:

• 1956 Melbourne Olympic games: The Soviet Union football team won the Gold Medal.

• 1972 Olympics: win the ex quo Bronze Medal with East Germany, tie 2-2.

• 1976 Olympics: The Soviet Union Olympic football team win the Bronze Medal.

• 1988 Olympic Games: Gold medal.

After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 a period of dismantling of the sports structures of the Republics of the USSR occurs and the teams of each independent nation will be founded again.

LEGENDARY PLAYERS OF SOVIET UNION FOOTBALL HISTORY:

The 1960s: Lev Yashin the Moscow-born goalkeeper named the "Black Spider." The black colors of his shirt gave him the name but also his tentacular ability to stop the shots. He was a national hero and won the Ballon d'Or in 1963. Thanks to his ability to stop everything, the Soviet Union team won the 1960 Euro Cup and the Gold Medal at the 1956 Olympics. Keep in mind that he is the only goalkeeper to have won the Ballon d'Or, making him considered one of the best goalkeepers in football history.

The 70s: Oleg Blokhin the Ukrainian center forward who still holds to his credit the title of top scorer par excellence of the Soviet Union with 42 goals. Dynamo Kyiv is the team where he spent most of his career in. His mother was an athlete and his father a football coach. With the national team, he did not reach titles in Euro cups or World Cups but his game contributed to the Bronze Medals at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics. He was a Ballon d'Or in 1975 and left a long mark for his technical and very fast playing.

The 80s: Igor Belanov, also Ukrainian, Ballon d'Or in 1986, forward, efficient, high speed, called The Rocket. Participated in the selection of the USSR that reached the end in the Eurocopa of 1988. With the selection played thirty-three parties. He debuted at SK Odessa, also played for Dynamo Kyiv and was able to leave the Soviet Union to play for two German teams; Borussia Moenchengladbach and Eintracht Braunschweig. At the World Cup in Mexico, he shone like never before scoring a triplet in eighths.

In our section of classic USSR shirts, you can see some examples of replicas of Soviet football shirts and their changes in different decades. As you can see, the base of the Soviet kits has always been a red shirt with white shorts and red socks. As examples, we leave you a photo of the mythical Soviet Union shirt in the World Cup in Spain 82, one of our clients' favorites:

For the second shirt, white was the color chosen for both: shirt, shorts, and socks. The abbreviation CCCP, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, will be repeated throughout the whole history. Below we present the shirt of the USSR Away kit at Mexico 1986:

Interesting to note that the football team of the Russian Empire wore the colors orange and black.

The shirts we collect in our selection offered are representative of the Soviet period. Football shirts highly appreciated by all fans, for their color, their impressive retro design, not so much for nostalgia for a political period but for the remembrance of an era of football in which the passion and dedication of the players generated a a lot of emotions that still resonate today in all football fans. A cruder football, in its purest form, served without as many accessories as today that allows us to dream about the epic of the best sport in the world.

After the success of our Eurocup in choosing the best retro football shirt from European national teams, we thought you might like that we held a tournament to choose the best retro football shirt in the history of the Champions League (football club jerseys). What do you think?

Now that we are all confined to our homes, sometimes worried, sometimes bored, it seems like a good way to have a good time during Easter. Since there are no official competitions we have at least one competition for classic soccer jerseys to choose the best one.

We have called it the Mega Champions Retro Shirts Competition. We want to choose the best shirt in the history of the Champions League. The goal is for you to have fun and try to get some smiles in these difficult times.

So we invite you to participate to our 2020 Mega Champions Retro Shirts Competition, a very special tournament that will be played on our Instagram (@ retrofootball.eu). For this, we will need your participation and collaboration.

The Mega Champions Retro Shirts Competition is a tournament of 16 teams in which you will have to vote for your favorite retro football shirt in each match.

Match table - Round of 16:

We started the competition in the round of 16. We leave you below the table of matches so that you can see the challenges that will take place starting today, Wednesday, April 8 at 18:00. We are looking for the best retro football shirt in the history of the champions and you are going to decide who wins.

Round of 16 matches:

Every day we will have a round with its corresponding matches. The Round of 16 will begin this afternoon. The most voted shirt of each game will go through. For example, Chelsea and Inter Milan face today. You have to vote for the shirt that you like the most in our stories:

Here is the summary of the round of 16 matches:

- Olympique de Marseille Shirt - Rome 1979-80 Retro Shirt
- Borussia Monchengladbach 1974 T-shirt - Barcelona 1970's vintage T-shirt
- Atletico Madrid Meyba T-shirt - Liverpool 2000 retro shirt
- Benfica 1961 shirt - Juventus 1984 vintage shirt
- Chelsea 1998 classic Shirt - Inter 1990/91 Classic Shirt
- Borussia Dortmund 1975 shirt - 1970s Ajax shirt
- AC Milan 1988 retro shirt - Manchester United 1970s vintage shirt
- Real Madrid 2015/2016 shirt - PSG 1980s retro shirt

The final will be played on Sunday April 12 and one of the participants will win an amazing retro football shirt. Encourage your friends to participate in deciding what is the best retro club football shirt ever.

Get a retro football shirt for the lucky #retrofootballer who wins it in the final draw.

Enjoy and win the best shirt in the history of football in Europe!

UPDATE MAY 4, 2020:

Dear #Retrofootballers!

We have held a great championship on Instagram to choose the best shirt in the history of the Champions. Thank you all very much for your participation, there have been many votes and exchanges in our publications on the best soccer jersey in the Champions League. A vibrant tournament for incredible #retrofootballers.

The winning retro football shirt has been the Milan 1988-89 jersey. A shirt that lives on in the memory of football fans. It is the shirt of one of the best Milan in history, which had in its ranks the legendary Dutch trio formed by Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard. The oranges were accompanied by great Italian players such as Franco Baresi, the tough Costacurta, Paolo Maldini, Carlo Ancelotti, Roberto Donadoni, or Daniele Massaro. In short, a team that trained on top of his Arrigo Sacchi race; with an innovative bilge of spaces playing with the very advanced defense. The look is classic with the sponsor Mediolanum, the scudetto of having won Serie A in the 1987-88 season. A legendary Milan shirt, ready to be customized with 9 by Van Basten or 10 by Gullit. Our tournament of the best shirt in the history of the Champions League has had a historic football shirt as a winner and belonging to a mythical team.

The final round of the tournament has been completed with the following models:

• Juventus 1984-85 retro shirt: Vecchia Signora finally won their first European Cup in 1984, with a team that included the base of the Italian world champion team in 1982: Gaetano Scirea, Antonio Cabrini, Marco Tardelli, and Paolo Rossi. These were accompanied by two of the stars of that World Cup and the 1984 Euro Cup, the French Michel Platini, and the Polish Boniek. A historic shirt worthy finalist of our tournament, with the classic black and white stripes and the sponsor Ariston who spent a few years with the Turin team.

The final was an exciting match with Milan winning 55% to 45% and more than 1,000 votes for each model.

As for the semifinals, we also met two other Italian teams. Italy has been consolidated as the land of design when it comes to football jerseys. Thus, our tournament for the best shirt in the Champions ended with a final table of Italian teams. The semifinalists were:

• Inter Milan 1990-91 retro shirt: the legendary Inter German jersey in history with Lothar Matthaus, Jurgen Klinsmann and Andreas Brehme. Three of Germany's world champions in Italy 90. A powerful Inter team that had other Italian players in its ranks such as Bergomi, Serena or goalkeeper Walter Zenga (remembered by the Italians for their failure in the semifinals of the World Cup in Italy 90 against Argentina of Maradona).

• AS Roma 1979-80 retro shirt: The other semi-finalists was the late 70's AS Roma, with a shirt that the Romanisti supporters fell in love with. The model shows off the traditional red and orange stripes on the chest of the Roman team. A shirt that was worn by club legends such as Di Bartolomei, Bruno Conti, Carlo Ancelotti or the legendary striker Roberto Pruzzo.

Four legendary Calcio shirts, which have shaped semi-finals of great style and classic beauty. Long live to Calcio! Long live to Italy!

Thank you all very much for participating and for helping us make the confinement for Coronavirus a little more bearable. And of course, one of our #retrofootballers was awarded a mythical retro Champions shirt!

We are all very sad about the situation that is being experienced in Europe and in the world with the Coronavirus pandemic. We want to support from here all the countries, families and workers who are having a hard time.

For our part, since we are all confined, worried and bored in our homes, we want to make that situation more bearable. Thus; and despite the fact that there is no football and we already know that UEFA has postponed the Euro Cup for the year 2021, we have decided to launch our own Euro Cup tournament. We want to choose the best national team jersey in the history of Europe. The goal is for you to have fun and try to get some smile in these difficult times.

2020 EuroCup Retro Shirts Competition:

So we invite you to participate in our 2020 EuroCup Retro Shirts Competition, a very special tournament that will be played on our Instagram (@ retrofootball.eu). For this we will need your participation. and collaboration. ⚽

The EuroCup Vintage Football Shirts Competition is a 16-team tournament in which you will have to vote for your favorite retro football shirt in each match.

Match table:

We started the competition in the round of 16. We leave you below the table of matches so that you can see the challenges that will take place starting today, Thursday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m. We are looking for the best retro football shirt in the history of Europe and you are going to decide who wins.

We started the competition in the round of 16. We leave you below the table of matches so that you can see the challenges that will take place starting today, Thursday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m. We are looking for the best retro football shirt in the history of Europe and you are going to decide who wins.

Matches:

Every day we will have a round with its corresponding matches. The round of 16 will begin tonight. The most voted shirt of each party will go through. For example, Belgium and the USSR are facing each other today and you can vote for the best shirt in our stories:

Here is the summary of the round of 32 matches:

- CCCP 1982 shirt - Belgium shirt from the 60s
- Denmark 60s shirt - France 70s shirt
- Spain 80s shirt - Switzerland jersey 1982
- Yugoslavia 1990 shirt - Croatia 1990 shirt
- DDR 1983 shirt - Sweden 1974 shirt
- Germany 70s shirt - Netherlands 1974 shirt
- Italy 1982 shirt - Poland shirt from the 70s
- Portugal shirt 1960s - England shirt 1982

The final will be played on Sunday March 22 and one of the participants will win an incredible retro football shirt. Encourage your friends to participate to decide which is the best retro football shirt ever.

Choose the retro football shirt for the lucky #retrofootballer who will win it in the final game.

Enjoy and try to win the best shirt in the history of football in Europe!

UPDATE 8 APRIL 2020:

Dear #Retrofootballers!

Our tournament on Instagram to choose the best football shirt in the history of Europe has already ended. It was a great tournament with a large participation of our followers on Instagram.

The winning historical jersey was the 1990 Yugoslavia vintage shirt. A mythical jersey for various reasons. First of all for its innovative aspect, with a design that had not been seen in over 110 years of football history; including that vertical white stripe reminiscent of lightning. Well, a year later, the former Yugoslavia began to fall apart, leading to a fratricidal war between the compatriots of the former country. Our best jersey tournament in the history of Europe had a worthy winner.

The final round of the tournament was completed with the following models:

• Italy 1982 shirt: the blue team of Scirea, Rossi, and Tardelli, coached by the great Enzo Bearzot, arrived in the final, winning all the matches with ease. In a thrilling final decided in the final minutes of extra time, they lost a couple of percentage points (51% for Yugoslavia against 49% for Italy). What an ending! And what shirts! The Italian model has undergone a significant change in the design of the shirts by introducing an elegant polo collar, with the colors of the tricolor, as well as on the sleeves. The Italy 1982 shirt was a worthy finalist in our championship.

• Holland1974 shirt: Joahn Cruyff's mechanical orange made it to the semi-finals, winning all his games with ease. However, in a rather close semifinal, they ended up giving in to the blue team: 53% to 47%. An excellent combination that does justice to two exceptional shirts from our collection.

• CCCP 1982 shirt: in a duel of countries of the former communist bloc, the USSR shirt at the 1982 World Cup faced the 1990 Yugoslavia shirt. A highly contested game that the Yugoslavs won 58% to 42 %. During the tournament, many expected the USSR shirt in the final.

Thank you so much for participating and making that first Coronavirus confinement weekend a little more fun!

Oliver Hutton against Mark Lenders. Football is a sport of great antagonisms: Messi or Cristiano, Pelé or Maradona ... and as in the cartoons Captain Tusaba, Holly Hutton and Mark Lenders. Here is a perfect idea for a carnival costume for a couple: one with the New Team shirt, the other with the Toho uniform. Costume with shirt and pants from the Holly and Benji series. The 90s-themed costume perfect for remember your favorite cartoon. We love Captain Tsubasa!

George Best: the fifth Beatle. If you prefer a Beat Generation mood and you want to be the bad boy of football from the 70s, the best option we offer you is the George Best's Manchester United shirt. The perfect 70s themed costume to surprise your friends and honor a legend of this sport.

O’rei Pelé costume: do you want to feel like a 17 year old young man who changed the history of football? The perfect choice is the Brazil shirt from the 60s. Not only a carnival costume as a footballer, but the perfect outfit to be O'Rei of the party.

In case you are a rugby fan we have the vintage choice you were looking for. Did you think it was impossible to find a rugby carnival costume? It is not so! Choose from our vintage polo shirts inspired by the pioneers of rugby: rugby shirts from New Zealand, England, France and many others.

In the end what matters most is to have fun and enjoy the party, if it is with a vintage look, even better!

Happy Carnival!

Everyone was trying to make the "catapult shot" or "skylab hurricane" by the Tachibana Twins, the "tiger Shot" by Kojiro Hyuga or the incredible dribbling of the protagonist Tsubasa Ozora. When the Captain Tsubasa was premiered for the first time in Spain with the name of "Campeones: Oliver y Benji", a young Andrés Iniesta born in 1984, had 6 years and dreamed then to score the goals of his heroes of the cartoon series.

Over the years, Iniesta would fulfill his dream of being World and European Champion with the Spanish national team and meet the creator of his favorite series Yoichi Takahashi. During that path, Iniesta has also fulfilled another wish. He has been able to dress the shirts of the protagonists of Captain Tsubasa, Oliver Atom (Tsubasa Ozora) and Mark Lenders (Kojiro Hyuga). On several occasions he has published photos on his social networks wearing T-shirts and Jackets from Captain Tsubasa's world. We have rescued for this article a photo of Iniesta with the T-shirt of Toho by Mark Lenders.

Also the first one published a few years ago with the New Team jacket of the second season:

Captain Tsubasa series has also been a source of inspiration for another World top player. Paris Saint Germain's forward Kylian Mbappé appeared a few years ago in the Parc de Princes wearing the New Team jacket of the second season (white with red stripes on the sleeves) and the New Team cap. Kylian was born in 1998 and enjoyed the series in one of the re-broadcasts and has not hesitated to dress the clothes of Olivier Atton (the french name for Tsubasa Ozora), one of his football references. Here we leave you the mythical photo of Mbappe fully equipped with the Captain Tsubasa clothes:

As you can see the Captain Tsuabsa series was translated in so many languages and also the name of the characters have been changed, for example in many Arab countries the name of the series was "Captain Majed".
Here the different versions in Japanese / Latin America / Spanish / French / Italian:
Captain Tsubasa / Los Super Campeones / Campeones: Oliver y Benji / Olive et Tom, champions de foot / Che Campioni, Holly e Benji
Tsubasa Ozora / Oliver Atom / Oliver Atom / Olivier Atton / Oliver Hutton
Genzo Wakabayashi / Benji Price / Benji Price / Thomas Price/ Benji Prince
Kojiro Hyuga / Steve Hyuga / Mark Lenders / Mark Landers / Mark Lenders.

There are good news for the fans of the series. This year will be released new episodes and a new video game by Bandai Namco. In "Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions" you can play with the most representative characters of the series that will delight both people born in the 80s and 90s and their children born in the 21st century. You'll definitely want to play a game.