Best 30 retro football shirts that every collector should own
Explore the pinnacle of football memorabilia in our definitive list of the 30 Most Valuable Classic Football Shirts.
We look at the most iconic retro football shirts, vintage football kits, and collectable football shirts, each with a unique story and immense historical value.
Our selection spans decades of football excellence, featuring shirts worn by legendary teams and players in pivotal matches. From the vibrant hues of classic World Cup kits to the memorable designs of club football's golden eras, these collectable classic football shirts are more than just apparel; they are pieces of history that tell the tales of football's most unforgettable moments.
Note: The below list is in no particular order. Due to the volatility of prices for classic vintage football shirts, all shirt prices listed are a guide and are not their actual value, you may pay more or less depending on the retailer, collector, or store that you purchase from.
These are the most collectable and valuable classic shirts to own in 2024:
30) West Germany Adidas Italia '90 World Cup classic shirt
The West Germany 1990 World Cup shirt symbolises the country's last major tournament before reunification.
Worn during their victorious World Cup campaign, it's remembered for its iconic design and the triumph it represents and is considered one of the most beautiful and classic adidas Germany kits.
BUY the Germany Italia '90 shirts on ClassicFootballShirts.co.uk
Expect to pay: £200-£250
BUY the Germany Italia '90 shirts on ClassicFootballShirts.co.uk
29) Chelsea 1970 FA Cup Final shirt
The yellow Chelsea shirt from the 1970 FA Cup Final is iconic, marking the club's first FA Cup victory in a replay against Leeds United. This vibrant kit is etched in the memories of Chelsea fans as a symbol of their fighting spirit.
Expect to pay: £200-£300
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
28) Ajax 1971 European Cup
Ajax's 1971 European Cup victory marked the beginning of their dominance in European football, with Johan Cruyff leading the team. The shirt from this era represents Ajax's revolutionary football and the birth of Total Football.
Expect to pay: £250-£300
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
27) New York Cosmos, Pele's NASL 1975-1977
The New York Cosmos shirt worn by Pelé during his time in the North American Soccer League (NASL) represents a pivotal moment in football history, where the sport's popularity surged in the United States. Pelé's arrival brought international attention to American soccer, and this shirt became a symbol of the era.
Expect to pay: £400-£500
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
26) Flamengo Zico Era Late 1970s to 1980s
This iconic red and black hooped shirt is synonymous with Flamengo's golden era under the legendary Zico, one of the greatest Brazilian footballers of all time. The period saw Flamengo winning numerous state championships, the Brazilian Serie A, and the Copa Libertadores, cementing its status as a powerhouse of South American football.
Expect to pay: £250-£350
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
25) Leeds United 1991/92 Umbro Division One Winning Shirt
Worn during Leeds United's last Division One (the equivalent of the Premier League in today's football) title win, this classic all-white design symbolises the club's rich history and success in the early '90s.
Expect to pay: £250-£350
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
24) Liverpool 2005 Champions League Final Reebok classic shirt
Liverpool's incredible comeback from 3-0 down at halftime against AC Milan in Istanbul is one of the Champions League's most memorable moments. This shirt represents the "Miracle of Istanbul" and Liverpool's fifth European Cup.
Expect to pay: £450-£500
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
23) Barcelona 2011 Nike home shirt for the Champions League Final
Barcelona's dominance over Manchester United at Wembley, with Pep Guardiola's team showcasing possibly the greatest club side in history, is encapsulated in this shirt.
It symbolises the pinnacle of tiki-taka football, and an era defined by Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Andrés Iniesta.
Expect to pay: £350-£400
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
22) Manchester City 2011/12 Premier League winning Umbro shirt
This shirt is symbolic of Manchester City's dramatic first Premier League title win, clinched with Sergio Aguero's last-gasp goal against QPR.
It marked the beginning of a new era of dominance for the club.
Expect to pay: £200-£300
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
21) Nottingham Forest European Cup 1979/80
Celebrating Nottingham Forest's consecutive European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980 under Brian Clough, this shirt embodies a remarkable period of success for the club, marking them as one of the giants of European football during that era.
Expect to pay: £400-£500
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
20) France '98 World Cup Adidas classic shirt
France's 1998 World Cup victory on home soil, highlighted by Zinedine Zidane's two goals in the final, is immortalised in this shirt.
It represents the multicultural French team's unity and triumph.
Expect to pay: £500-£550
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
19) Inter Milan 2009/2010 Nike kit Champions League Final
Inter Milan's 2010 Champions League victory under José Mourinho concluded a historic treble, immortalising this shirt in football lore.
The sleek black and blue stripes represented Inter's dominance in Europe and Italy that season.
Expect to pay: £350-£450
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
18) Manchester United 1998/1999 Umbro shirt - Champions League Final
The shirt worn during the dramatic late turnaround against Bayern Munich in Barcelona, securing United's treble.
This jersey symbolises resilience and victory, encapsulated by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's last-minute winner.
Expect to pay: £400-£500
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
17) Brazil, 1970 World Cup
Worn by Pelé and his teammates during their mesmerising World Cup campaign in Mexico, this bright yellow jersey is synonymous with the beauty of football played by the 1970 Brazil team, often regarded as the greatest team of all time.
Expect to pay: £800-£1000
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
16) Tottenham Hotspur, 1983/84 UEFA Cup
This shirt commemorates Tottenham Hotspur's UEFA Cup victory in 1984, a significant achievement in the club's history. The design is iconic for Spurs fans, representing a period of European success.
Expect to pay: £300-£400
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
15) AC Milan 1989 European Cup Final Kappa shirt
AC Milan's return to European glory was marked by this shirt, worn by players such as Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Carlo Ancelotti during their domination of Steaua Bucharest in the final.
It heralded the beginning of a golden era under Arrigo Sacchi.
Expect to pay: £350-£450
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
14) Barcelona, 1992 European Cup Final
The shirt from Barcelona's first European Cup win, achieved with Koeman's famous free-kick at Wembley.
This victory symbolised the dawn of the "Dream Team" era under Johan Cruyff.
Expect to pay: £400-£500
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
13) Argentina 1986 World Cup Maradona 'Hand of God' Le Coq Sportif shirt
Maradona's legendary performances, including the 'Hand of God' and 'Goal of the Century' against England, are enshrined in this jersey, marking Argentina's second World Cup victory.
Expect to pay: £500-£600
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
12) AS Roma 1982/83 Serie A Champions shirt
Worn during AS Roma's successful 1982/83 Serie A campaign, this shirt represents one of the club's most triumphant moments.
Captained by Agostino Di Bartolomei and featuring the talents of Paulo Roberto Falcão, this jersey is a relic of Roma's storied past and their second Scudetto victory.
Expect to pay: £300-£400
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
11) Real Madrid Adidas 2001/2002 Champions League Final classic shirt
Worn during Real Madrid's ninth European Cup win, this shirt is immortalised by Zidane's stunning volley against Bayer Leverkusen in Glasgow.
A masterpiece of a goal that's as memorable as the jersey itself.
Expect to pay: £250-£300
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
10) Napoli 1990/91 classic football shirt
Maradona, mainly. But also that Mars logo splashed across the chest. The manufacturer – Ennerre – is another reason why you should buy this shirt if you ever get the chance. Magnifico.
Expect to pay: £500
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
9) Inter Umbro 1997/98 classic shirt
Google ‘Ronaldo, CSKA Moscow’ and you’ll see a masterclass – firstly from the great man himself, and secondly from Umbro with their beautiful, horizontal-striped Inter jersey. So brilliant Nike created their own version years later.
Expect to pay: £500-£600
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
8) Liverpool 1989/90 classic Adidas shirt
Much like the bruised banana, this shirt was one of the precursors of a new style of football shirt: louder, braver, weirder, better.
The shackles had well and truly come off and a new era was upon us.
Expect to pay: £400
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
7) Borussia Dortmund 1996/97 Nike classic shirt
Borussia Dortmund's 1996/97 jersey is famed not just for its striking luminous yellow design but also for marking the season the club won its first UEFA Champions League title.
The triumph over Juventus in the final, along with the unique design of the shirt, makes it a collector's dream.
Expect to pay: £300-£400
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
6) Juventus Kappa 1997/98 home shirt
The pink away shirt of Juventus from the 1997/98 season stands out for its bold colour and the calibre of legends who wore it, including Zinedine Zidane, Alessandro Del Piero, and Filippo Inzaghi. This shirt commemorates Juve's centenary in style.
Expect to pay: £350-£400
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
5) Celtic 1967 - The Lisbon Lions
Celtic's 1967 European Cup win in Lisbon made them the first British club to lift the trophy, earning the team the nickname 'The Lisbon Lions'. This shirt is a tangible connection to that historic victory.
Expect to pay: £300-£800
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
4) Club America 1994/95
The 1994/95 Club America shirt is celebrated for its vibrant design and the team's success in Mexican football.
The striking eagle motif and the vivid yellow and blue colours make this jersey a standout piece for collectors.
Expect to pay: £300-£400
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
3) AC Milan, 1999/2000 Centenary Shirt
The centenary shirt of AC Milan, with its narrow stripes and the crest featuring the Cross of St. Ambrose, pays homage to the club's rich history and traditions.
Despite a less-than-stellar season, the significance of the anniversary and the classic design make this shirt highly valuable.
Expect to pay: £400-£500
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
2) Arsenal "Invincibles" Nike classic football shirt 2003/04
Arsenal's unbeaten Premier League season, a feat that earned them the "Invincibles" title, is commemorated by this shirt.
Worn by legends like Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, it represents one of the greatest achievements in football history.
Expect to pay: £500-£600
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
1) Holland 1988 classic shirt
The Netherlands' 1988 shirt is celebrated not just for its iconic design but also for marking the country's first (and so far only) major tournament win at the UEFA European Championship.
The geometric pattern and bright orange colour are instantly recognisable, making it a piece of footballing history.
Expect to pay: £750-£1,000
Buy authentic vintage shirts on classicfootballshirts.co.uk
Whether you're a collector or a football enthusiast, these shirts have made a significant impact on the sport's rich heritage, and reflect some of the most in-demand classic football shirts for collectors.
So start digging around your wardrobe to see if you own one of the world's most collectable and valuable classic football shirts.
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