One of the things every football fan gets excited for, especially before a major tournament, is undoubtedly the kits. Seeing each brand roll out their individual designs before a World Cup or a European Championships makes the competition seem that much closer and drives excitement tenfold. With the ever increasing importance of image and brand identity within football, the aesthetics of football kits are becoming more and more appreciated. Portugal, in particular have had a whole host of eye-catching designs over the years, iconic moments worn by iconic players.
Próxima Jornada along with the help of giants Classic Football Shirts and the people of Twitter decided to compile a list of the Top 10 Seleção shirts, in no particular order. Considering that Portugal usually roll out 2 and sometimes 3 kits per tournament, it’s only natural that many shirts did not make the cut. A personal favourite of yours missed out? Let us know in the comments!
Euro 2004 – Home
An iconic shirt for so many reasons which simply couldn’t miss out. This was the shirt most Próxima Jornada followers suggested as the king of Seleção shirts.
Nike decided to completely subvert their archetypal designs of years passed with the 2004 range of kits, choosing instead to place the team logo in the top corner of the shirt, with the Nike logo in the centre (or in the case of Portugal, slightly off-centre). This design included player numbers placed within a circle on the front of the shirt. It was the number 17 of Manchester United’s teen sensation Cristiano Ronaldo which grabbed worldwide attention during the Euro 2004 tournament, which ended in tears for the 19 year old with final defeat to Greece on home soil.
The kit is well remembered for featuring in Nike’s iconic Olé advert featuring Brasil and Portugal. Click the video below to watch the classic ad.
Classic Football Shirts has a couple of different variations of this iconic shirt on their website. They currently stock an XL Mens, XL Boys and one with the original numbering and lettering with DECO 20 on the back in a size S Men, beautiful. Click the link to visit: https://www.classicfootballshirts.co.uk/2004-06-portugal-home-shirt-deco-20-very-good-s.html
Euro 2000 – Home
This shirt is truly a classic and proves that sometimes, simplicity is key. The uncomplicated style oozed elegance, the yellow on the v neck and the collar tips accentuated the classic maroon that is so synonymous with Portugal. The lettering on the front and back was also in yellow and was rounded in an almost bubble writing style font.
This shirt was used during the Euro 2000 finals held in Belgium and France. Portugal with their ‘Golden Generation’ squad boasting Luís Figo, Nuno Gomes, Rúi Costa, Conceição and more were tipped to do big things in this shirt. After topping a group featuring England, Germany and Romania, Portugal appeared serious about winning their first ever piece of silverware, a 2-0 win over Turkey put the Portuguese in the semi-finals, where they were eventually dumped out after extra-time by France. Heartbreak for the nation. Whilst Portugal didn’t take home the silverware, the shirt is looked back on as a classic that will be remembered forever.
The shirt is often seen as a rare one to find, especially in good condition! Fear not however, Classic Football Shirts has you covered with an original jersey in a size XL Mens. Click the link to view. https://www.classicfootballshirts.co.uk/2000-02-portugal-home-shirt-figo-7-very-good-xl.html
2013/14 – Away
This shirt was another one that was mentioned several times by the Twitter supporters, and for good reason. A truly beautiful shirt from Nike.
A striking all-black shirt, Nike had this to say on it’s design, “the black shirt with black shorts and black socks is inspired by the volcanic rock associated with the country and the expressive nature of its renowned football heritage. The distinctive black Portuguese basalt rock is a volcanic stone used extensively across the country and is the inspiration behind the strong new colour used from head to toe on the new kit.”
The shirt was not worn during a major tournament as when the FIFA 2014 World Cup arrived, Portugal had released two new shirts.
Classic Football Shirts at this time does not stock this very rare shirt, however keep checking for updates and one may appear in stock! https://www.classicfootballshirts.co.uk/nsearch/?q=Portugal#?q=Portugal&keywords=Portugal&sort_by_field=Newest+Season&res_per_page=100&search_return=all
Euro 2016 – Home
This shirt makes the cut for several reasons, from a design perspective it is a wonderful kit. Nike kept it simple in terms of design with this one with a two-tonal colour scheme, the body of the shirt being a reddish colour, lighter than on previous Portugal shirts, with the sleeves a darker, more traditional burgundy.
One reason that it deserves a place on this list is simply for the fact this is the shirt that Portugal ended their wait in. Their first ever international honour was claimed against France in Euro 2016 in this shirt and the images that preceeded the final whistle of extra-time will go down in folklore forever. Every player who donned this jersey during that summer in June is part of a piece of true footballing history.
Classic Football Shirts has plenty of sizes stocked for this iconic kit! Check it out here: https://www.classicfootballshirts.co.uk/2016-17-portugal-home-shirt-bnib.html
1990-00 – Home
A more unconventional design this time from Nike and a shirt that usually splits opinion. Some people either love it with a burning passion and praise nike for the daring colour blocking of the sleeves and the collar, whereas some deem the shirt to be ‘ugly’. Whatever side of the arguement you fall on, the shirt undoubtedly causes a conversation.
The shirt was worn by the same crop of players that would go on to to compete in Euro 2000. The silky feel to the shirt oozes class and the open collar is an iconic look.
Classic Football Shirts has a whole host of options to choose from and a multitude of sizes when it comes to this classic shirt, including one with original Rui Costa 10 printing in perfect letter condition. Click the link to view the Rui Costa version or search the website for all other variations! https://www.classicfootballshirts.co.uk/1999-00-portugal-home-shirt-rui-costa-10-excellent-xl.html
Euro 2012 – Away
This one is another shirt that split opinion, a bold and daring design from Nike featuring a cross that splits the entire shirt, in classic Portuguese colours.
This worn during Euro 2012 where Portugal again went close to sealing their first piece of silverware but were dumped out on penalties by the wonderful Spain side that dominated international football. A defeat that hurt millions.
Classic Football Shirts has this shirt on their website! Click the link to browse. https://www.classicfootballshirts.co.uk/2012-13-portugal-away-shirt-excellent-xxl.html
1992 – Home
This iteration is the first shirt on the list to not be sponsored by Nike! German giants Adidas were Portugal’s sponsor at the time and they came up with this beauty in 1992. Worn by icons such as Luis Figo.
While there aren’t many photos online of the shirt in action, there is a video! Click the link below to watch the shirt being donned in a friendly.
World Cup 2006 – Home
This kit is another firm favourite. 2006 World Cup saw plenty of controversy as Portugal reached the semi-finals of the tournament. The Battle of Nuremberg occurred in this kit, as Portugal and Holland went head to head in what is the dirtiest World Cup game to date with FOUR red cards and SIXTEEN yellow cards.
The kit was simple in its design with a v neck style collar and with lovely sleeve accentuation featuring gold links. Nike for this one moved away from the maroon and green shorts combination, opting to go with an all maroon design down to the socks.
Cristiano Ronaldo was involved in the infamous winkgate episode involving his then team-mate Wayne Rooney in this shirt! His photo winking in the jersey was emblazoned on newspapers and TV screens around the world.
Classic Football Shirts has a few different variations of this kit, including one with original C.RONALDO 17 printing! Check it out: https://www.classicfootballshirts.co.uk/2006-08-portugal-home-shirt-c-ronaldo-17-very-good-xxl.html
World Cup 1986 – Home AND Away
Both of Adidas’ designs for the Mexico World Cup are absolutely stunning. They capture the time perfectly and are a classic retro look. The iconic Adidas 3 stripes run down the collars of both the shirts and shorts and the shorts don’t feature a Portugal badge, just a number and the classic Adidas logo.
The biggest shame is how bad the football was, Portugal were dumped out in the group stages but the kits live on as some of the greatest and most iconic ever and it is safe to say, if better football was played during this tournament from the Seleção then the kits would be remembered just that bit more.
