For the nostalgic football heads, we’ve collected some of the best and most bizarre goalie gear of all-time from both World Cup and club level. Have one you think is worth adding? Drop us a tweet on Twitter.
Jorge Campos, Mexico 1991 – 2004
Campos played in two World Cups with Mexico, collecting 130 caps throughout his international career as a goalie. Standing at only 5’6 but playing like he was an acrobatic six-footer, Campos sported some of the flashiest and baggiest colored kits that made a pleasure to watch.
Carlos Navarro Montoya, Boca Juniors 1988 – 1996
The Colombian goalie Carlos Navarro Montoya played eight years for Argentina club Boca Juniors. He wore this candy-colored jersey in his last season with the club, which featured a cartoon of him driving a truck.
Lev Yashin, Soviet Union and Dynamo Moscow
Nicknamed the black spider for his iconic all-black outfit, the goalie Lev Yashin played in four World Cups for Russia and spent twenty years between the posts for club side Dynamo Moscow. Often considered the best goalkeeper of all-time — he’s the only goalie ever to receive the Ballon d’Or — he also set a precedent for Premier League goalies like David Seaman who also wore black.
Dino Zoff, Italy 1982 World Cup
One of the most decorated goalkeepers of all-time, Italian Dino Zoff won the 1982 World Cup wearing a grey goalkeeper’s kit on top of what looks like the classic blue Italian jersey. Along with captain’s white armband, black shorts, and red-striped gloves, Dino Zoff looked as stylish as his game.
Bodo Illgner, West Germany 1990 World Cup
West Germany goalie Bodo Illgner sported some of the coolest looking kits and gloves in the World Cup finals to match the neat graphic-design prints of his teammate’s jerseys. Illgner remains the only goalkeeper to maintain a clean sheet in the World Cup finals.
David Seaman, England Euro 1996
Quite possibly the best-worst kit of all-time, Umbro outfitted David Seaman with this red disaster during the Euro tournament in 1996. There is beauty in the ugliness, somewhere. We can’t unsee this kit.
David Seaman, Arsenal 1994-1995
The football brands loved to experiment with David Seaman’s goalie attire. When Nike took over as Arsenal’s kit suppliers in 1994, they made Seaman wear this star-studded masterpiece with the words “Premier” spelled out in circles.
Pavel Srnicek Newcastle United 1996-97
Manufactured by Adidas, the Newcastle United 1996/97 goalie kit not only had the classic black and white stripes the team came to be known for but also the Newcastle Brown Ale star in the center of the chest with the city backdrop. What a gem.
Peter Shilton, England Euro 1988
With zig zags of yellow and black, England goalie Peter Shilton sported this fluorescent-looking kit in front of Euro 1988 audiences. Despite its experimental appeal, Holland promptly kicked England out of the tournament.
Peter Schmeichel, Denmark Euro 1992
In 1992, the ‘Great Dane’ Peter Schmeichel powered Denmark to victory at the Euro 1992 in this Hummel-pastel colored it. The yellow hue seemed to flow perfectly with the bright blonde of his hair.
Tony Meola, US World Cup 1994
The American goalie sported the recognizable color-coded kit paired with his ponytail during the 1994 World Cup hosted in the United States. In a nod to the look, US goalie Tim Howard wore the same jersey in the 2017 MLS All-Star game.
