While the 1990s still reign supreme as the decade with the most enduring and sought-after retro football shirts, there have been many iconic kits unveiled since the turn of the century.
Indeed, since the year 2000 we have seen some timeless entries into the jersey hall of fame. And, with most clubs now launching as many as four playing kits per season (with Manchester City wearing an astonishing nine different kits on the pitch in 2025 alone), there are future classics being added to the pantheon all the time.
As we approach the end of 2025, we’ve assembled 25 of the best original kit designs released by top clubs from leagues all over the world since the turn of the century, selected with the help of ESPN editors from across the globe.
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While there are some that pay homage to history or incorporate recurring themes, we’ve excluded reissues or overt throwback designs—meaning no room for reinterpretations of '90s classics like Arsenal’s beloved "bruised banana" away shirt from 2019-20 or Inter Milan’s black-and-silver-hooped masterpiece in 2020-21. Special-edition kits worn only once, as well as novelty designs, are also left out.
Here, in alphabetical order, are some of the best kits we’ve seen so far in the 21st century.
### 1. AC Milan home, 2000-02 (Adidas)
Milan kicked off the century with a kit that still looks fresh today, featuring those famous red and black stripes widened and framed by a horizontal black band across the top and down the sleeves. Unfortunately, the Rossoneri fell short in Serie A during both the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons, failing to win a single domestic or European trophy while wearing this shirt. It was a period of prolonged managerial upheaval at San Siro, but they still looked sharp throughout.
### 2. Ajax away, 2022-23 (Adidas)
The fourth in a series of exquisite contemporary away kit designs, Ajax upped the ante again in 2022-23 with a stunning deep-blue alternate jersey adorned with gold and red trim—a design inspired by the crosses on Amsterdam’s heraldic coat of arms. Once more, despite the Dutch giants’ inconsistent performances and lack of silverware, this shirt might just have been their real trophy.
### 3. Arsenal home, 2005-06 (Nike)
Arsenal concluded their final season at Highbury stadium wearing a sumptuous deep-red shirt (officially dubbed "redcurrant"), modeled after the club’s first kit from the early 1900s. The gold detailing adds an extra layer of elegance to this heartfelt farewell to their spiritual home. With Thierry Henry promoted to captain and leading the charge, the Gunners advanced all the way to the UEFA Champions League final before narrowly losing to Barcelona in Paris.
### 4. Barcelona home, 2010-11 (Nike)
Barcelona has produced its fair share of classic home kits over the years, but the 2010-11 version is widely regarded as one of the best—especially considering it was worn by arguably the greatest team of all time. The secret lies in its simplicity: clean, sharply defined stripes paired with matching yellow trim, elegantly draped over the shoulders of the emerging Lionel Messi, who led his side to LaLiga and Champions League glory under Pep Guardiola.
### 5. Bayern Munich away, 2021-22 (Adidas)
A color combination that always looks regal when executed perfectly—Bayern certainly nailed it with their 2021-22 away kit. Featuring a sleek black base, shimmering gold trim, and delicate white stippling that creates an asymmetrical quartered effect, the design is nothing short of masterful. Even the details are top-notch, including the golden emblem proudly displayed at the nape of the neck, showcasing the iconic "Munich child"—a small, hooded figure that appears on the Bavarian city’s coat of arms.
### 6. Boca Juniors home, 2001-02 (Nike)
One of world football’s most instantly recognizable kits, Boca’s iconic blue-and-gold-banded shirt has been donned by many of the game’s greatest players. While the Buenos Aires club’s classic home kit rarely changes year to year, the 2001-02 edition stands out with its centrally placed crest, navy underarm panels, gold piping, and an XL sponsor logo prominently featured on both the front and back of the shirt.
### 7. Brisbane Roar away, 2024-25 (Cikers)
Celebrating Brisbane Roar’s 20th season in the A-League, their 2024-25 away kit features an unusual off-white and maroon checkerboard pattern, paying tribute to Queensland—their home state (maroon being the official state color). Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that the check marks are crafted from the silhouette of the rampant lion found on Roar’s club crest.
### 8. Cerezo Osaka home, 1999-2000 (Mizuno)
A holy grail for J. League kit collectors, Osaka’s vibrant neon-pink and navy-striped home shirt from the turn of the millennium is a prime example of the "more is more" approach to kit design that defined many of the 1990s’ most unforgettable creations. Alongside the bold, clashing stripes, the jersey boasts twin columns of white dashes, chevron taping on the collar and cuffs, and twisted zigzag pinstripes on the sleeves—creating a chaotic yet mesmerizing visual feast.
### 9. Club América home, 2025-26 (Adidas)
Club América has become renowned for crafting exceptional home, away, and third kits in recent years. Take, for instance, their 2025-26 home jersey, which gives the Mexican side’s iconic tricolor mantle a clean, modern twist. If you’re a fan of fresh, slightly off-kilter football kits in bold, vivid colors, this could be your next favorite find.
### 10. Corinthians third, 2018-19 (Nike)
In 2018, football and Formula 1 converged when Corinthians created a tribute to the late, great Ayrton Senna, who was known to be a huge fan of the Brazilian club. Released on the 30th anniversary of Senna’s first World Championship victory, the black-and-gold jersey featured Senna’s signature on the midriff, while the 41 horizontal lines across the chest represented the number of Grand Prix wins he achieved during his illustrious—and tragically brief—career.
### 11. Flamengo home, 2018 (Adidas)
Flamengo’s club crest is inherently photogenic, often elevating even the most mundane red-and-black shirt designs. In this case, the interlaced "CRF" script-style logo sits atop a beautifully hooped jersey, subtly enhanced by embedded "micro stripes" of dark red. This striking design accompanied Mengão (featuring a young Vinícius Júnior) as they finished runners-up in Serie A while also advancing past the group stage of the Copa Libertadores for the first time in nearly a decade.
### 12. Inter Milan third, 2019-20 (Nike)
Though it feels incomplete not to include a contemporary example of Inter’s cherished Nerazzurri stripes, how could we possibly overlook the Italian club’s breathtaking third kit from 2019-20? With a 1990s-inspired aesthetic and rich black-and-yellow accents, the shirt debuted at Monza and drew inspiration from the iconic Pirelli racing tires that became synonymous with Inter’s uniforms as their longtime sponsor. Simple, refined, and utterly beautiful.
### 13. Juventus third, 2024-25 (Adidas)
Among Adidas’ first wave of trefoil-adorned third alternates, Juve’s ultra-smooth design loosely draws from a lunar theme. The deep-blue base evokes the night sky over Turin, while gold accents twinkle like stars. The twisted stripes incorporate the club’s modern "double J" crest, later replaced on the chest by a prancing zebra—a symbol first used by the Bianconeri in the early 1980s.
### 14. Liverpool third, 2021-22 (Nike)
Although Liverpool narrowly missed out on the Premier League title by a single point and ultimately lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League final, they ended the season with a domestic cup double. They also showcased an outstanding away kit that season, featuring their famed creamy "ecru" color—making a long-awaited comeback alongside complementary touches of green and red. A button-up polo collar adds an extra touch of sophistication.
### 15. Mamelodi Sundowns away, 2021-22 (Puma)
Traditional prints were combined with muted blue tones and pops of bright yellow trim to create South African club Sundowns’ brilliant 2021-22 away kit. The design evoked images of the setting sun blending into the inky night sky over the expansive Springbok Flats.
### 16. Manchester City third, 2009-11 (Umbro)
Originally introduced in the 1970s, the red-and-black two-tone sash has been a recurring staple in City’s alternate kits ever since. It made a triumphant return in 2002-03 and then experienced an even grander revival between 2009 and 2011, culminating in City’s FA Cup triumph and ending their 35-year trophy drought. The Umbro incarnation of the sash was an instant hit and remains highly revered by the club and its fans—even prompting Puma to revamp the design for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
### 17. Manchester United third, 2024-25 (Adidas)
Reintroducing the trefoil logo to their shirts proved to be a masterstroke for Adidas, revitalizing their recent ranges of retro-infused away and third kits. One of the finest examples is United’s 2024-25 third kit, featuring broad red-and-black bands wrapped across the chest of an off-white shirt. The design also highlights a pared-down, simplified devil emblem, meant to evoke the giant tricolor flags waved by United fans worldwide. We think they absolutely nailed it!
### 18. Palermo home, 2014-15 (Joma)
If ever the phrase "pretty in pink" perfectly captured a football kit, it’s Palermo’s famously rose-tinted home shirts. The 2014-15 edition was a delightful peach, featuring panelled construction, black-and-gold trim, and an ornate sponsor logo that truly sets the design apart. Though the campaign itself was largely unremarkable for La Rosanero, it marked the emergence of young forward Paulo Dybala, who went on to become the club’s top scorer before moving to Juventus in a €40 million deal the following summer.
### 19. Paris Saint-Germain home, 2001-02 (Nike)
An iconic design, the 2001-02 PSG home kit distills the club’s famed aesthetic down to its essential elements: a deep-blue base, a wide red "Hechter" stripe, and subtle white trim点缀其间。 Long before the club’s fortunes shifted dramatically with massive financial investments, the Parisians finished fourth in Ligue 1 with a squad that included legendary talents like Ronaldinho, Nicolas Anelka, Jay-Jay Okocha, Mauricio Pochettino, and a young Mikel Arteta. Notably, they also claimed the Intertoto Cup by defeating Rangers on penalties in the final.
### 20. Pumas UNAM home, 2016-17 (Nike)
With the majestic puma head emblazoned prominently on the front, Pumas’ gold-and-blue shirts naturally stand out. However, the addition of an exquisite historical graphic in 2016-17 truly turned heads worldwide. Created by Mexican artist Juan O’Gorman, the intricate artwork is inspired by his remarkable mural adorning the entire facade of the central library at Mexico’s National Autonomous University—located right on the same campus as the Liga MX club’s massive Olimpico Universitario Stadium.
### 21. Real Madrid home, 2021-22 (Adidas)
After enduring a rare trophyless season in 2020-21, Real Madrid pinned their hopes on their "lucky orange" kit to bring success in the following campaign. And indeed, the omens were promising when Los Blancos unveiled their fresh new attire, complete with multicolored trim and a swirling pattern inspired by the iconic rotunda and fountains in Madrid’s Plaza de Cibeles—a beloved gathering spot for Real fans celebrating championship victories. As expected, the club reclaimed glory the very next May, clinching both LaLiga and the Champions League titles.
### 22. River Plate home, 2000-02 (Adidas)
The sash. The trim. The classic sponsor placement. The baggy proportions typical of the early 2000s. And let’s not forget the oversized folding collar, often flipped up to shield against the cold. Honestly, we don’t think River Plate ever improved upon this effortlessly understated formula—it’s simply perfect.
### 23. Roma third, 2019-20 (Nike)
Still highly coveted, Roma’s navy-blue, gold, and carmine-red third kit hasn’t aged a day since its release six years ago. The Nike logo from the 1990s fits seamlessly alongside the chunky neckline, while the fabric itself features a subtle repeating print pattern incorporating the club’s "Lupetto" wolf-head emblem and the intertwined "ASR" initials from the crest. Although the 2019-20 season may not linger fondly in Giallorossi fans’ memories due to a disappointing fifth-place finish in Serie A and early exits from all cup competitions, we suspect this corresponding third shirt will endure for years to come.
### 24. Seattle Sounders home, 2024-25 (Adidas)
Nicknamed "The Anniversary Kit," the 2024-25 Sounders home shirt celebrates 50 years of club history and draws inspiration from the pinstripe home and away kits worn during the 1983 NASL season. The color palette pays homage to the club’s kits from the mid-1970s. While the design may seem like a mash-up, it works brilliantly overall, partially debunking the age-old fashion adage that "blue and green should never be seen together." Additionally, the Sounders’ impressive old "Orca" emblem has been reinstated at the back of the neck—a fantastic nod to the club’s rich heritage.
### 25. Vissel Kobe home, 2020 (Asics)
Kobe unveiled a wildly imaginative new kit for the 2020 J. League season, featuring a bold harlequin pattern in maroon and white. The design was worn by several notable European stars, most notably World Cup-winning duo Andrés Iniesta and David Villa. Their presence inspired Kobe to claim their first-ever trophy—the 2020 Emperor’s Cup—in what would prove to be Villa’s final appearance in Japan.
