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Soccer is a flashy sport, and this year’s crop of kits reflects that to a tee. Ok, so not all kits for the ongoing 2013/14 season are up to standard, but there are plenty of them that have made a positive impressive on us thus far.
Brands like Nike, adidas, and Puma not only have decked out their respective kits with the latest innovative performance tech, but have made them look pretty with visually appealing designs that strike the perfect balance between classic and contemporary. Here’s our countdown of the 25 best soccer kits of the 2013/14 season. Enjoy.
Gurvinder Singh Gandu is a New York City-based writer and wear-tester for Sneaker Report, and contributor to Complex Media. Follow him on Twitter @GurvinderSG for the latest in performance footwear and gear.
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No. 25 - Chelsea Away Kit
Manufacturer: adidas
League: English Premier League
For the sixth time in club history Chelsea is sporting a predominantly white kit for its away fixtures this season. The adidas-branded jersey features a stripe running across the chest—an obvious homage to the team’s iconic white kits with blue and red trim during the ‘60s. And for the first time since the 2010/11 season, Chelsea has brought back red accenting. Last time that happened though, the squad failed to secure the top spot in the Premier League. It will look for a different result this time around.
No. 24 - Atletico Madrid Home Kit
Manufacturer: Nike
League: La Liga
Atletico Madrid’s home kits for the 2013/14 season feature a darker shade of red and blue than usual, meant to represent the colors the club wore when it won the Spanish Cup and Spanish League title during the 1965-66 season. The striped shirts feature a similar V-neck design inspired by Atletico’s jersey from the ‘60s. The team's new home shorts are blue.
No. 23 - Newcastle United Away Kit
Manufacturer: Puma
League: English Premier League
There’s a lot of blue happening in Newcastle’s new away kits, but hopefully the Puma-branded kit won’t leave Toon Army fans feeling glum at season’s end. For the first time, the Newcastle unis are sponsored by Wonga, hence the reason for the light blue color blocking.
No. 22 - Real Madrid Away Kit
Manufacturer: adidas
League: La Liga
Real Madrid and adidas are looking to really light up the pitch this season with a bright orange third kit designed to capture the vibrant energy of the city. Inspired by colors of the sunset, the light orange jerseys will be worn for Real’s UEFA Champions League matches.
No. 21 - Zenit Saint-Petersburg Home Kit
Manufacturer: Nike
League: Russian Premier League
For the 2013/14 season, Zenit has gone back to its roots with an original crest design that spells out the team’s name in the shape of an arrow—one of the first crest designs ever used by the club after it got its start in 1925. The updated crest is in addition to a new, more modern graphic design of a fader laser blue arrow that points up towards the collar. The crossover white V-neck collar and white cuffs w/ gold trim are also a nice touch.
No. 20 - Celtic Away Kit
Manufacturer: Nike
League: Scottish Premier League
As much as we appreciate Celtic’s iconic green and white striped look, the club’s new away kit are—for the lack of a better word—dope. The Bhoys will be decked out in gold from head-to-toe on the road this season (a look that pays tribute to the team’s rich tradition). They’ll rock green shorts for some contrast. Besides, what Celtic kit would be complete without a little Celtic Green.
No. 19 - FC Internazionale
Manufacturer: Nike
League: Serie A
The blue and black stripes never get old. Classic Inter.
No. 18 - Corinthians Third Kit
Manufacturer: Nike
League: Brasileiro
Brazilian club Corinthians is giving its followers quite the treat this season with a regal third kit in commemoration of the team’s historic victory over Boca Juniors in the finals of the 2012 Libertadores Cup. The Nike kit features a royal blue polo-style jersey with white details, paired with blue short and white socks. Rivelino would certainly be proud.
No. 17 - Napoli Away Kit
Manufacturer: Macron
League: Serie A
Napoli will look to improve on its second-place Serie A finish in 2012/13 this season in a new camo-inspired kit from Italian sportswear brand Macron. The green camo print on the shirt is highlighted with light blue detailing, as well as the usual sponsor and club logos. Napoli opted not to go with a camo overload, going instead with a solid hunter green color on the shorts.
No. 16 - CF Monterrey Home Kit
Manufacturer: Nike
League: Liga MX
Monterrey’s famed blue and white striped design is back for the 2013/14 season, but this time around it features some modern updates, including new orange details on the sleeves and the crossover V-neck collar, for a pop of color. The “Bimbo” sponsor logo is great too.
No. 15 - Arsenal Away Kit
Manufacturer: Nike
League: English Premier League
“The kit looks and feels great. Arsenal is synonymous with yellow and blue and I think this new design fuses that tradition with a modern twist. I can’t wait to get out on the pitch and wear it,” this according to Arsenal winger Theo Walcott. Nuff said.
No. 14 - FC Porto Away Kit
Manufacturer: Nike
League: Primeira Liga
FC Porto has elected to go all sorts of modern for its new away kit, as Portugal's most successful club celebrates its 120th anniversary. The tonal blue shirt and dark blue shorts are the perfect blend between team tradition and contemporary design. Plus we love the phrase “Super Bock” written on the back. Cheers.
No. 13 - Tottenham Away Kit
Manufacturer: Under Armour
League: English Premier League
Under Armour continues to be the maker of Tottenham’s soccer kits, and the results continue to impress us. For the 2013/14 season, UA has hooked up the Spurs with a vibrant light blue look from head-to-toe. The kits feature the usual team branding, along with the notable “HP” sponsor logo smack dab in the middle of the shirt.
No. 12 - Everton Away Kit
Manufacturer: Nike
League: English Premier League
Everton has dropped the polo-style seen in its home kit in lieu of a classic v-neck design for its away jerseys. Instead of the all-black away look from last season, the club has opted for a “sunshine yellow” version this time around complete with a blue band across the top of the shirt. Not quite as flashy as Everton’s pink away kit from 2010/11, but close.
No. 11 - Manchester United Home Kit
Manufacturer: Nike
League: English Premier League
Simple yet classic, the new Man U home kit is nothing short of extraordinary. This is a perfect example of "why mess with a good thing." The club even brought back the black collar, which is best worn upturned (we see you Eric Cantona).
No. 10 - Juventus Away Kit
Manufacturer: Nike
League: Serie A
There’s going to be a lot of yellow on the soccer pitch this season, and even Juventus is getting in on the action. The storied Italian club chose bright hues for its away kit meant to represent its strong link to its home city of Turin. It may be far-removed from Juventus’ trademark white and black striped look, but it works nonetheless.
No. 9 - Club America Home Kit
Manufacturer: Nike
League: Liga MX
Mexico’s Club America has got it goin’ on with this striking new home kit brandishing that “Bimbo” sponsorship we love so much. While the kit is featured in a traditional yellow color, it has a deep chevron graphic design consisting of a faded blue dot print—similar to the club’s 1980’s kit.
No. 8 - Coritiba Third Kit
Manufacturer: Nike
League: Brasileiro
Some Volt action on the soccer pitch? Sure, we’ll take it. Thanks Nike. Love the “Green Hell” phrase on the back of Coritiba’s third kit as well.
No. 7 - AS Roma Home Kit
Manufacturer: None
League: Serie A
After a fallout with former endorser Kappa, AS Roma has elected to go the rare unbranded route for the 2013/14 season. It seems to work too. The home kit features the club’s signature Maroon/Orange colorway with a clean, logo-free design to match. Of course the team’s dope crest is still present. Roma will return back to branding next season after having recently signed a 10-year partnership with Nike.
No. 6 - FC Barcelona Away Kit
Manufacturer: Nike
League: La Liga
For the first time ever, FC Barcelona will play in an away kit featuring the red and yellow of the Catalan flag — the Senyera — as the club’s traditional stripes. This ‘ish is fire.
No. 5 - Flamengo Home Kit
Manufacturer: adidas
League: Brasileiro
One glance at Flamengo’s home kit and it’s easy to see why the new look sold out in less than 10 days of advance sale. The red base color with black stripes works on so many different levels.
No. 4 - Santos FC Third Kit
Manufacturer: Nike
League: Brasileiro
"While the home and away kits are in the club's traditional colors, the third kit highlights something important from the team’s history. In honor of its 101st year, we wanted to pay tribute to the city, the Santos night and beachfront," said Mauricio Cordel, Nike Football Designer.
No. 3 - Manchester City Away Kit
Manufacturer: Nike
League: English Premier League
All three of Manchester City’s Swoosh-branded kits are on point this season. But the away kit, in particular, is a showstopper. We love the stealthy black-out approach with subtle gold detailing, which is anchored by the larger-than-life “Etihad” sponsorship.
No. 2 - AC Milan Third Kit
Manufacturer: adidas
League: Serie A
AC Milan is the gold standard of Italian football, and the club’s third kit embodies that perfectly. It’s no wonder Balotelli is sticking around for a while.
No. 1 - Paris Saint-Germain Away Kit
Manufacturer: Nike
League: Ligue 1
It’s not about whether PSG has the best kits or not, the tough part is trying to determine which PSG kit reigns supreme: home or away. While the club’s trademark blue home kit is dapper in its own regard, the new predominantly white look with red and blue color blocking is just off the charts.
Gurvinder Singh Gandu is a New York City-based writer and wear-tester for Sneaker Report, and contributor to Complex Media. Follow him on Twitter @GurvinderSG for the latest in performance footwear and gear.
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