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.

.

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.

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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.

Finally, if any of you are lucky enough to travel to Tokyo, do not hesitate to visit the Yotsugi train station, located in the eastern part of Tokyo. In the hometown of the manga creator you will find murals and statues that honor the manga heroes. Here you can see a photo of the entrance to the station:

Iniesta himself, who attended the inauguration, commented “I remember that when I went to school in Fuentealbilla, before leaving the house I used to wacth these cartoons. I've always been fascinated by Oliver's character, by his speed shots, by Benji's saves, by the combined play of the Derrick brothers. "
"The beauty of watching football" added the former Blaugrana "is that there is a lot of imagination, a lot of creativity and it is something that I have always looked for when I was playing football".
We agree with Iniesta that football requires imagination and creativity, it is thanks to players like him that we continue to be passionate about "real" football.

Finally, if you also want to dress like a Captain Tsubsasa character, don't forget to visit our page dedicated to the clothing of the Captain Tusbasa series.