The Top 100 Shirts of 2018: 50-41
The best football shirts of 2018
Christmas is coming, 2019 is coming and most importantly the very best in football shirts are about to be revealed.
Yep, in the final days of December we’re revealing which shirts made it on to our ultra-competitive countdown of football kits.
Most interestingly in this list, we see the beginnings of a strong presence from Nike, and in particular their third kits. Look out for them here and in future blogs.
Let me know if you agree or disagree by chatting to me over on Twitter.
Other blogs in this series
100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-2 | 1
50 - Atletico Madrid Third
I think I’ve spent more time talking about Nike’s third kits this year than any other group of kits, and there’s some very good reasons why.
Nike reached an all time low back in 2016 with their incredibly bland kits at the Euros, but fast forward to 2018 and we now have one of the most creative, diverse set of shirts you’ll ever see. Atletico’s is one of the most daring of the set, and I absolutely love it.
- Phil
Didn’t like this one when I first saw it, but it is grower. Two tone blue does conjure up Southampton in Pony 1993, which I am all for.
Pattern in the light stripes has a strong retro feel. The shirt on its own is fairly mundane but adding shorts and socks brings it to life fully. The deep yellow trim and sponsor set it off nicely. All in all it works pretty well.
- Alec
Compare prices on the Atletico Third Shirt
49 - Porto Third
You can tell this shirt was designed by a street artist, because it’s really something special. Not only unique and visually impressive, it’s also one of the best third kits seen worldwide this year, and something I hope we can see again in the future. The usage of the two blues is perfect, and they go hand in hand together to form such a memorable shirt.
- Apollo
I really like this shirt. By far the best of the three kits from the Portuguese giants this year.
The colour is just perfect, with the cut and collar making for a stylish shirt. The best part of the kit, however, is the detail on the main body: a beautiful shadow pattern with an early 90s feel. Makes a great kit.
- Alec
48 - Jubilo Iwata Home
If there is a better league for kits than the J-League then tell me. This is magnificent. Absolutely all you would want from a J-League shirt.
The black with sky blue trim is really pleasing on the eye, topped off by a fabulous shadow pattern and an iconic sponsor. A special edition for use in four games only it is a shame that it didn’t get more game time.
- Alec
Almost identical in base design to Uruguayan national side shirts seen in recent years, which in itself would probably place it on our top 100, this shirt has a unique but gorgeous twist. Tonally printed on the front in a huge manner is a moon, a star and a Japanese Paradise flycatcher, the team's mascot and official bird of Shizuoka Prefecture.
Japanese teams seem to have developed a taste for flashy, daring shirts in 2018 and this is a perfect example of that. Whilst visually striking the print also stops just shy of becoming chaotic and messy and for this Puma, I salute you.
- Chris
47 - Man City Away
When Paul Dickov put a 97th minute equaliser past the Best Man at his own wedding,Vince Bartram, to take the 1999 Second Division play-off final to extra time, I doubt it ever crossed his mind what it could result in his club eventually becoming. It stands as the latest goal ever scored in regulation time at the Old Wembley and after almost 20 years most City fans remember it as if it was yesterday. This shirt is a ode to that special day and in my totally unbiased opinion is a real beauty.
- Chris
Compare prices on the Man City Away Shirt
46 - Barcelona Third
Finally a Barca Third kit that isn’t cookie cutter!
Bright pink, hot pink & silver, this kit is truly one of a kind. If we go deeper than that, the pattern on the kit is inspired by the aerial views of Barcelona’s Eixample District. A stunning kit that represents a city beautifully. I really hope Nike bring this level of effort to other clubs in 2019/2020. If they do, we’ll have some future classics ready to be sold for triple in 20 years time and I’m all about it.
- Dane
Compare prices on the Barcelona Third Shirt
45 - RB Leipzig Third
I shouldn’t like this shirt.
I’m not biggest fan of template kits and last year Nike really tested my patience. Fast forward to 2018 and RB Leipzig have been given a Nike template and worst of all, it’s not even from this season. Looking through last year’s Nike teamwear catalogue, you’ll find the NIke Challenge III template… precisely the shirt Leipzig will be using.
Yet despite all this, I love it. The black and white combo really work well together. Red Bull gave permission for its logo to be used in monochrome and along with the club badge, which has been given the same treatment, it looks really smart.
- Pedro
44 - Cameroon Home
44? Seriously? This shirt should easily be a Top 10.
When pictures of this shirt were first released there was the sort of buzz the Nigeria shirt received on its unveiling. Sadly the momentum didn’t continue, with a no-show at the World Cup doing nothing to help on that front. But people need to remember this shirt, because it’s one of the most fun designs you’ll see.
- Phil
Not feeling this one I am afraid. I usually like the Puma template with large stylised animal on the main body of the shirt which they’ve employed extensively for the African nations recently. But this one doesn’t work.
The colour is okay but the lion is awful. It looks like some kind of robot from a poorly produced kids cartoon. Flag trim on the collar is good but not keen on anything else. Perhaps I am biased: still sulking about the move away from the lion badge employed at Italia 90. I probably should move on but somethings are difficult to drop …
- Alec
Compare prices on the Cameroon Home Shirt
43 - Chapecoense Away
The Umbro Nations collection earlier this year was met with mix reviews to say the least, but the one shirt to come out of it with any dignity was Chapecoense’s Colombia-tinged effort.
Like any good shirt, the details are what make it. Look out for the intricate pattern and the fantastic integration of the club crest to match the design.
- Phil
Another banger from Umbro placing well in the 100. This kit is honestly class. Paying homage to the Colombian National team, it really is a classy kit. The chest pattern, back of the neck details and again the classy sleeves, Umbro gets another one right. Really cool to see teams giving a nod to national teams as they take on the world stage.
- Dane
42 - Peru Home
Yes yes yes! Umbro have aced this one. I have long admired the white shirt red sash that has made Peru stand out on the international scene from year dot. This modern rendition works brilliantly.
Simple clean and effective, there’s not much more to say about this. Other than the fact that an away kit with reversed colours and the same template somehow makes me love the home shirt more. Everything you want and need in dealing with an iconic kit brand, it was love at first sight.
- Alec
There’s is something about a sash on a football shirt which is truly beautiful. Peru may not have set the footballing world alight during this year’s World Cup, but at least they were one of the best-looking teams at the tournament.
Umbro have done some great work here as the iconic red sash looks better than ever. This time the sash is flanked on either side by a gold trim. The gold trim also appears on the shoulders and around the team badge.
All in all, a beautifully, elegant shirt.
- Pedro
Compare prices on the Peru Home Shirt
41 - Chelsea Home
This is without a doubt my favourite Premier League shirt of the season - something I'd never thought I'd say about a Chelsea home shirt, pieces which are usually quite plain and boring.
The slithers of red and white seemingly randomly dotted all over give the shirt an innovative and futuristic feel, whilst still maintaining Chelsea's traditional look of Royal Blue. I'm also a big fan of the sleeves and main body being the same colour, a technique not often employed by this particular Nike template.
- Chris
Compare prices on the Chelsea Home Shirt
The Top 100 shirts of 2018
| Rank | Shirt | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China Away | Read more |
| 2 | Nigeria Home | Read more |
| 3 | Germany Away | Read more |
| 4 | Japan Home | Read more |
| 5 | Corinthians Third | Read more |
| 6 | Mexico Away | Read more |
| 7 | Parma Third | Read more |
| 8 | Leeds Away | Read more |
| 9 | Boca Juniors Away | Read more |
| 10 | Parma Away | Read more |
| 11 | Newcastle Away | Read more |
| 12 | New Zealand Away | Read more |
| 13 | Inter Third | Read more |
| 14 | Croatia Away | Read more |
| 15 | Real Betis Third | Read more |
| 16 | Parma Home | Read more |
| 17 | V-Varen Nagasaki Away | Read more |
| 18 | Brondby Away | Read more |
| 19 | Clapton CFC Away | Read more |
| 20 | Marseille Away | Read more |
| 21 | Argentina Away | Read more |
| 22 | Colombia Home | Read more |
| 23 | Galatasaray Third | Read more |
| 24 | Jamaica Away | Read more |
| 25 | Gremio Home | Read more |
| 26 | Real Betis Away | Read more |
| 27 | Tottenham Third | Read more |
| 28 | Germany Home | Read more |
| 29 | Lazio Home | Read more |
| 30 | Everton Third | Read more |
| 31 | Tigres Home | Read more |
| 32 | Houston Dynamo Away | Read more |
| 33 | Portland Timbers Home | Read more |
| 34 | Shimizu S-Pulse Home | Read more |
| 35 | Bayern Munich Home | Read more |
| 36 | AIK Special | Read more |
| 37 | Aston Villa Home | Read more |
| 38 | Chapecoense Home | Read more |
| 39 | Al-Ahli Third | Read more |
| 40 | UNAM Pumas Home | Read more |
| 41 | Chelsea Home | Read more |
| 42 | Peru Home | Read more |
| 43 | Chapecoense Away | Read more |
| 44 | Cameroon Home | Read more |
| 45 | RB Leipzig Third | Read more |
| 46 | Barcelona Third | Read more |
| 47 | Man City Away | Read more |
| 48 | Jubilo Iwata Home | Read more |
| 49 | Porto Third | Read more |
| 50 | Atletico Madrid Third | Read more |
| 51 | Rangers Away | Read more |
| 52 | PSG Third | Read more |
| 53 | Torino Third | Read more |
| 54 | LAFC Home | Read more |
| 55 | Hellas Verona Third | Read more |
| 56 | Tibet Home | Read more |
| 57 | Iceland Away | Read more |
| 58 | Belarus Home | Read more |
| 59 | FC Copenhagen | Read more |
| 60 | Fiorentina Home | Read more |
| 61 | Napoli Away | Read more |
| 62 | Vitesse Away | Read more |
| 63 | Cruzeiro Home | Read more |
| 64 | UNAM Pumas Away | Read more |
| 65 | CD Leganes Third | Read more |
| 66 | Hertha Berlin Away | Read more |
| 67 | Sampdoria Home | Read more |
| 68 | Orlando Pirates Home | Read more |
| 69 | Senegal Away | Read more |
| 70 | France Away | Read more |
| 71 | Torino Home | Read more |
| 72 | Bayern Munich Away | Read more |
| 73 | South Korea | Read more |
| 74 | Canada Home | Read more |
| 75 | Netherlands Away | Read more |
| 76 | CD Leganes Away | Read more |
| 77 | Stuttgart Third | Read more |
| 78 | Juventus Away | Read more |
| 79 | Werder Bremen Home | Read more |
| 80 | Nice Home | Read more |
| 81 | Colombia Away | Read more |
| 82 | Kaizer Chiefs Home | Read more |
| 83 | Napoli Third | Read more |
| 84 | West Ham Away | Read more |
| 85 | Fulham Home | Read more |
| 86 | Juventus Third | Read more |
| 87 | USA Away | Read more |
| 88 | Dinamo Bucharest Home | Read more |
| 89 | Corinthians Away | Read more |
| 90 | Atlanta United Away | Read more |
| 91 | USA Home | Read more |
| 92 | Saint-Étienne Home | Read more |
| 93 | Spain Away | Read more |
| 94 | Iceland Home | Read more |
| 95 | Ajax Away | Read more |
| 96 | Real Betis Home | Read more |
| 97 | PSG Away | Read more |
| 98 | Cape Town City FC Home | Read more |
| 99 | Red Star Belgrade Home | Read more |
| 100 | Portugal Away | Read more |
39 shirts stand between us and the best shirt of the year. Let's do this.
