Written by Menswear Style in Sports on the 12th July 2024

Football is more than a sport. It's an international phenomenon that brings nations together, heals old wounds, and gives us a reason to forget about daily events and relax after days in which we worry about the realities of everyday living. No game in the world has a multicultural impact as significant as football. What do you have in common with a young lad in Northern Africa, Asia, or South America? A similar perspective on life and your current job? Probably not. However, one thing that unites us all, regardless of our skin colour, personal beliefs, and long-term aspirations, is the love for the beautiful game.

Football is a sport that can be practiced by anyone, regardless of economic background or talent. You are not very good at it? It doesn't matter, as most of us aren't. It's an activity that unites us and which, at least for 90 minutes, can bring us together. Moreover, it can also be a way for you to express your devotion to the colours of your national team. Are you an Irish supporter? Would you like to reminisce about the golden generation led by Jack Charlton? If so, you could invest in the retro football shirts of your childhood heroes.

Do you still remember the matches of the boys in green at Euro 1988? Will you never forget the performances of Paul McGrath or Packie Bonner? Then, you should purchase retro football kits. High-quality retro football shirts are a wise purchase, as their value will not diminish with the passing years. Sure, maybe the kits you purchase now cannot compete with one bought 35 years ago, signed by the golden generation of Irish football. However, they can get close and develop with time intro collectibles valued by passionate fans. 

And Yet, Why a Football Shirt? 

Nothing beats the euphoria we feel when getting ready for the games of the national team we support. It's not much, but wearing the football shirts of your nation is a way for you to show your alliance with the players who represent you and connect with other fans, either in stadiums, pubs, or even at home. Retro football kits create a sign of unity, which is the essence of this unique sport. The beautiful game, in 2024, is characterized by staggering transfer sums, colossal advertising contracts, and immaculate attention to detail. However, one thing that has remained constant, ever since the beginning of the modern game, in the mud-filled pitches of the British Isles, is the love and passion of the supporters for their favourite team. Wearing retro football kits is one way to show the world that you remember the times when the game was more laid-back, when money wasn't everything, and flair was the most prominent part of the sport. Football, or soccer if you prefer the American terminology, is constantly evolving. Yet, some aspects, especially those related to fan culture, have remained unchanged for decades. Is this a good thing? In this day and age, in which everything is continually shifting, most would answer a resounding yes. Football shirts are a symbol of pride, a way to remember beautiful moments like the 1990 World Cup and a fantastic tool for connecting with like-minded fans who share the same love for this beloved sport.

Is There Something Special About Retro Football Shirts? 

Are you Irish? Are you an ardent supporter of the national team, but unfortunately, their performances haven't kept pace with your inflated passion? If so, you may be nostalgic for the good old days when the boys in green qualified for International tournaments and even made it out of the groups. Do you remember the 1990 World Cup, in which Ireland reached the quarter-finals? The 1994 tournament in which the national team got past the groups? How about the 2002 World Cup organized by South Korea and Japan? Ireland's national team is not going through the best of times at the moment, as the last qualification for a major tournament happened more than eight years ago. Therefore, if you want to remember the past glory, one idea might be to buy retro football shirts. Retro kits are a way to showcase the football heritage of your county, celebrate important milestones, and boast shirt designs that have remained in history. For example, the 1996 Umbro home kit, in its bright green hues and white polo collar, has become iconic among football fans and is currently considered one of the most beautiful football jerseys in the history of the modern game. Some retro football kits are nice to have. However, some are downright legendary. 

What Other Shirts Can You Purchase? 

As a global phenomenon, football has seen the rise of legendary sporting figures who rightfully stand among the world's most extraordinary personalities, either dead or alive.  Have you always been a fan of the beautiful game? The so-called joga bonito? If so, you could purchase the kit of Brazil's 1970 national team. Few football T-shirts are as iconic as the number 10 worn by Pele. You weren't around to watch that generation? In that case, you might want to check out Argentina's kit from 1986, when led by Diego Armando Maradona. Do you want something closer to home? Then, England’s 1966 kit should be your priority. Football is constantly changing, and stars come and go. From the 1994 Romania team led by Hagi to the impressive Greece squad that won Euro 2004, or the first winners of the World Cup, Uruguay, the beauty of retro football shirts is that you can celebrate forgotten milestones, differentiate yourself from casual fans, and rememorate matches that, once upon a time, were the only thing the world was talking about. Retro kits feature unique designs that are no longer found in modern shirts, can connect you to legends of the modern game, and can be beautiful collectibles you might pass over to your friends, relatives, or loved ones.

A Mirror of Your Personality 

Why should you purchase retro football kits? Ultimately, it's all about who you are. Not everyone appreciates the past glory of the golden age of football. However, for the ones who still remember the greats of the past decades, retro goods can be portals into the past and reminders of times when football was more uncomplicated, passionate, and beautiful. That's not to say the modern game is not worth watching. From players like Kross, Modric, Mbappe, and Lewandowski to arguably the GOATs of the current generation, CR7, and Messi, football is more popular than ever and is probably more focused than was the case in the past. However, there is just something about the past generation that appeals to most football fans. From the beautiful dribbling of Garrincha to the exquisite defensive work of Beckenbauer, the old game is iconic, and it saw players who defined modern football. Did you grow up watching Zlatan push the Swedish national team to its limit? Watching Zidane win the 1998 World Cup? Do you still remember the Italian team led by Cannavaro and Nesta, who won it all in 2006? Then, you are a true football fan, and you should signal this by purchasing retro football shirts in line with your passion.

And Yet, Why a Football Shirt, Is There Something Special About Retro Football Shirts, and a Mirror of Your Personality.