published on Stories on Zalando
Celebrating football culture, adidas brings back your favourite retro kits. And, with the bond between football and fashion being stronger than ever, the collection arrives just in time.
Football jerseys have been ubiquitous in street style. That’s a fact. But, whereas some people wear them to express their devotion to their favourite team, others are likely to be a fan of the aesthetic than of the sport and don’t necessarily know the offside rule.
In the era of Blokecore (and Blokette: the playful offspring of football aesthetics merging with hyper-feminine elements) is not the first time football attire has evolved from the locker room to the street. Football aesthetics and music culture collided in the ’90s, surfacing in rave culture and on band tour posters like Oasis and the previous decade saw terrace culture first cross into fashion, when Sambas became a part of fans’ identities on the terrace while supporting their beloved team.
Germany’s DFB 1996 home kit by adidas
The 1996 white home kit features the German Football Association (DFB) badge on the front, a buttoned collar in black, red and gold, three stripes across the shoulders and sleeves and adidas’ lettering across the chest.
Must know: Thanks to Oliver Bierhoff’s golden goal, Germany defeated the Czech Republic in the finale of the UEFA European Championship in 1996. The German striker was the first player to score an official golden goal during a senior tournament.
Good to know: The golden goal rule, a ‘sudden death’ method, was introduced in the early ’90s to help settle tight matches. So when going into extra time, the first team to score won the game immediately.
Bonus: Bierhoff was brought on the field when Germany was down by one goal. He then scored the equaliser in the 73rd minute and the match-winning goal in the 95th minute. His performance gained him popularity worldwide.
Spain’s FEF 1996 home kit by adidas
The 1996 bi-coloured red and indigo home kit features three vertical stripes, a buttoned collar, adidas’ lettering across the chest and a badge of the Spanish football federation (RFEF).
Must know: The Spanish kit from 1996 was worn by some of Spain’s most famous football players; defender, Fernando Hierro and striker, Raúl. Both players were once captains of the Spanish national team.
Good to know: Hierro scored 137 goals during his career, 29 of them for the Spanish national team. With him being a defender, his track record is quite impressive, so it’s no surprise that he’s still referred to as a football legend. Raúl on the other hand, would go on to become the best Spanish striker of his generation. In 102 caps,
he scored 44 goals, setting a national record for many years.
Bonus: While Hierro was part of the Spanish senior national team during the European Championship in June 1996, Raúl joined La Furia Roja only a few months later.”
Argentina’s AFA 1994 away kit by adidas
The 1994 Navy Blue away kit features three vertical rows of black diamonds on the right side, a black polo collar with a thin white line, adidas’ lettering across the chest and an Argentine Football Association badge.
Must know: The ’94 World Cup marked the end of the Maradona era as the legendary Argentinian player, aka “the Golden Kid”, wore his Argentinian kit for the last time due to a failed doping test.
Good to know: When the news of Maradona’s disqualification dropped, fans and national media outlets were devastated. The Argentinian newspaper Pagina 12 published an article with the single-word headline “Dolor” (translating to “pain”). But, despite making the news with a handful of scandals, Maradona’s football career was never fully overshadowed. To this day, he’s referred to as one of the best players in history and went on to be in the Hall of Fame.
Bonus: In 1986, Maradona led Argentina to triumph in the World Cup as team captain, but arguably, he’s most remembered for the controversial goal he scored with his hand during the match against England in 1986 that led to his famed nickname “the hand of God”.
Celebrating the rich history between football and style is adidas Originals, with a relaunch of renowned retro jerseys, shorts and tracksuits. The kit features key football nations; Argentina’s 1994 away kit, Spain’s 1996 home kit, as well as Germany’s 1996 home and away kits. With the upcoming European Championship and the Copa America in 2024, they’ve arrived just in time.
Whether you want to express your original self, passion for football or new found love for Blokecore, the drop offers a suitable kit for all-purposes. Of course, real fans would know the ’90s was a particularly iconic decade, but if you’re new to the game (or just need a refresher), our cheat sheet has the facts you need for your jersey — because let’s admit it, we want to be able to back up our ’fits. So, get your notepad ready, we’re about to revisit some of the most memorable football moments.