- Shamser Khalid
5 Weirdest Kits in Football History
In football, many things make different teams stand out, and one of them is their jerseys, otherwise known as football kits. Over the years, however, there have been a few jerseys that are weirder than the rest. From kits resembling muscles to ones that look like they were inspired by abstract art, the weirdest football kits take creativity to a whole new level.
Some may argue that these kits are eye-catching and memorable, while others find them downright confusing. Nevertheless, they spark conversations and become unforgettable moments in the history of football fashion. The following kits are just a few pieces of the weirdest pieces of football jerseys to come out in history:
Cameroon's Onesie (2004/05)
Back in 2004, during the African Nations Cup, the Cameroon team turned heads with their unique choice of attire—a rather interesting onesie. It was so unconventional that the Cameroon Football Federation found themselves in hot water, facing a hefty fine of $154,000.
To make matters worse, they were also docked six World Cup qualifying points for breaking the football regulations that clearly stated the necessary player equipment: a jersey, shorts, stockings, shinguards, and footwear.
However, after some reflection, the authorities realized that the punishment didn't quite fit the crime, and the points were eventually reinstated. This wasn't the first time Cameroon had made waves with their fashion choices, though, as they had previously raised eyebrows by donning a sleeveless vest back in 2002.
CD Palencia's Skin Suit (2016/17)
Get ready to be spooked! CD Palencia's Play-off Kit for the 2016/17 season was straight out of a horror flick. It's safe to say that calling this kit horrifying is an understatement.
Designed by Juan Francisco Martin, the intention was to showcase the team's unwavering dedication by literally putting their skin on display. But boy, did it turn heads for all the wrong reasons! The shirt and shorts featured a print of human anatomy, with the muscles depicted in a blazing pink color. Let's just say that some things are better left unseen.
Sporting Braga's Roman Armor (2019/20)
Remember when CD Palencia taught us that football kits with human-like features don't quite hit the mark? Well, it seems like Sporting Braga missed that memo entirely. Brace yourself for their Third Kit from the 2019/20 season, inspired by Ancient Roman body armor.
While it might sound like a cool concept for a comic book hero, unfortunately, it didn't translate well onto the football pitch. The kit featured a peculiar silver six-pack design that, let's face it, didn't quite score points in terms of style.
Broccoli from La Hoya Lorca (2012/13)
Prepare to be amazed! In the extensive and not-so-glamorous history of dreadful football kits, there was one bold team that dared to break all the rules and create a kit that resembled none other than a stick of broccoli. Yes, you heard it right! La Hoya Lorca, a team from the Spanish Tercera Division, introduced this outrageous kit during the 2012-2013 season. Based in Murcia, famously known as 'the vegetable garden of Spain,' they had a quirky justification for this truly bizarre design.
Interestingly, they ended up winning the league in 2012, proving that perhaps the broccoli-inspired kit brought them some luck. To top it off, they didn't stop there. For the following season, in 2013-2014, they released yet another broccoli-based design, and believe it or not, it became an instant hit worldwide, flying off the shelves faster than you can say "broccoli."
Burger King and Getafe (2009/10)
Let's take a step back to the 2000's, where an unexpected crossover took place between fast food and football. You may have heard of the Burger King, that bloke with a rubber mask and a crown who would pop up in American commercials, intercept footballs, and score touchdowns in NFL-inspired ads. It was undeniably hilarious. However, there was a catch. This campaign primarily aired in America, where a different kind of football is played.
Now, picture this: Burger King decided to take their mascot's face and imprint it on the back of a Getafe football shirt. The idea was for fans to do a "Ravanelli" and reveal the rubber-faced royal. But here's the twist – us Europeans were left scratching our heads in confusion. It seemed like a peculiar choice, considering our different football culture.
What's even more astonishing is that during that very season, Getafe had their best performance ever in LaLiga and even made it to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, also known as the 'Cup of Kings.' It's safe to say that the unexpected combination of the King's face on the shirt didn't hinder their success on the pitch.
Spiderman and Atletico Madrid (2004/05)
Atletico Madrid has made it's share of unique decisions over the years, and a partnership with Nike was one of them. Nike took a creative approach with a spider's web design, clearly aiming to promote the Spider-Man 2 movie. Remember that iconic upside-down kiss scene with Kirsten Dunst and Tobey Maguire?
Well, this kit came after that cinematic moment. The problem was that, much like Atletico's struggles in recent years, the Spider-Man movies also needed a complete overhaul and were eventually remade a decade later. Just like those old DVDs collecting dust, this forgotten Atleti kit can only be found in one place... the web.
These are just a few of the weirder kits that came out in recent years. Some of the weirdest kits you'll ever find comes from the 90's. Still, for recent history, football will have it's weird moments.
