With the 2024 Champions League finals this weekend, let’s look at some of the best Champions League winner’s kits ever.
The combination of unforgettable moments, monumental victories, and the stylish kits that embodied these winning teams’ spirit and tradition makes these some of the best Champions League kits of all time.
Barcelona 1991-92
The 1991-92 Barcelona orange kit was much more than a piece of sportswear. It symbolized the club’s innovation, Dutch influence, and historical success, making it one of the most incredible and memorable kits in Champions League history.
It also marked the last time the club’s Meyba supplier produced the Catalan giants’ kits. Johan Cruyff’s “Dream Team” defeated Sampdoria 1-nil thanks to a Ronaldo Koeman free-kick, giving the Blaugrana their first-ever European Cup trophy.
The 1992 Champions League winning kit is unique because it deviates from the standard all-over blue and caret colors. Instead, this kit features the Blaugrana colors pattern on the V-neck and shoulder strips. Meanwhile, orange shorts and socks make the kit pop even more.
What a jersey for the history books.
Liverpool 2004-05
One of the most historic moments in Liverpool Football Club’s history occurred on that Champions League final night in Istanbul. Down 3-nil at half-time, the Reds stormed back in their archetype simple and clean deep red strips.
With the Liverpool FC crest on the left chest, the Reebok logo on the right, the iconic Carlsberg sponsor central, and the Champions League patch on the right sleeve, the Reds staged one of the greatest footballing comebacks ever.
How could we not include this shirt in the best Champions League winners’ kits?
AC Milan 2006-07
They may have bottled it in the “Istanbul Miracle” in the Champions League final two years prior, but I Rossoneri made sure to restamp their claims as one of Europe’s best in 2007.
That night in Athens, AC Milan sported their exquisite away kit, featuring traditional red and black stripes over a white colorway. The Adidas shirt showcased the club’s sponsor, Bwin, prominently displayed in the center of the jersey with the Champions League patch on the upper right chest.
Who can forget Kaka stripping into his “I Belong to Jesus” t-shirt underneath the iconic kit after redemption against Liverpool?
Juventus 1995-96
The blue Juventus kit with yellow accents, worn by iconic footballers such as Alessandro Del Piero, was already an instant global sensation. Two of today’s successful football coaches, Antonio Conte, and Didier Deschamps, also played on that squad.
Of course, the Old Lady’s victory in the Champions League further amplified the kit’s popularity. The large Sony logo on the front of the shirt was incredibly recognizable, given the company’s dominance in the electronics industry at that time.
Manufactured by Kappa, the V-neck collar and massive yellow star on the shoulder also helped make it a cult classic. Blue shorts and blue socks with yellow trims completed the look.
Manchester United 1998 – 1999
In 1999, Manchester United completed a historic treble with a 2-1 win against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final at Camp Nou. Who scored the game-winning goal? That was no other than super-sub Ole Gunnar Solskjær in injury time to win for the Red Devils.
The triumph that day, of course, makes the red United kit iconic. The Umbro-made jersey features the brand’s logo running down the arms in a long stripe with the shirt sponsor Sharp printed across the chest. The white collar and V-neck topped up the simple yet elegant kit.
Now, let’s watch that goal again!
Barcelona 2008-09
Many people believe Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona team from the 2008-09 season is one of the greatest teams ever, with a starting front three of Messi, Henry, and Eto’o.
With the 2009 Champions League title, Barcelona sealed the first treble in Spanish football history. And they did so in style.
The Blaugrana wore their home kit in the final in Rome, with the vertical stripes divided half and half between red and blue. The Nike jersey also displayed the UNICEF emblem, signifying the club’s commitment to societal issues.
Real Madrid 2016 – 2017
Who can forget those purple kits? Real Madrid completed their 2017 UCL final in an all-purple shirt with white details on the Adidas stripes, the badge, and the sponsor. All purple shorts and socks completed the look.
In doing so, Los Blancos became the first club to win back-to-back titles, only to win two more in the next three seasons — a remarkable feat.
But where does the purple kit rank amongst Real Madrid’s best kits of all time?
Photo: Twitter/@xllam71
