The Air Max Shoe Inspiration Behind Every Nike 20-21 Third Kit (Except Liverpool)
Apr 16, 2020, by Chris
In January 2020, we leaked that the Nike 2020-21 third kits will be inspired by iconic Nike Air Max sneakers - one shoe for each club. Today, after we have been able to leak every kit except Liverpool, we want to share what is the Air Max inspiration of each jersey (except Liverpool FC again). Sometimes it is easy, sometimes it is more difficult to see the links between the shoe and the kit.
Last season's (2019-2020) Nike third kits has 1990s-inspired designs which proofed to be very popular among fans and kit enthusiasts as well.
Chelsea
The Nike Chelsea 20-21 third kit is inspired by the Nike Air Max 180 - the red-and-blue colorway is a nod to a classic colorway. Nike will also release a Chelsea pre-match jersey with a pattern inspired by the sneaker's logo.
Liverpool
Liverpool's 2020-2021 third kit will be black with a checkers designs. Unfortunately it's now known which Air Max will inspire this one (yet).
Tottenham Hotspur
The Tottenham Hotspur 2020-21 third kit is inspired by the Air Max 95 - it comes with a subtle gradient design. Nike will also release a Spurs fourth kit of which the design is more or less directly taken from the Air Max 95.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico's 20-21 third kit is inspired by the Nike Air Max 2.
FC Barcelona
The pink Barcelona 20-21 third kit draws inspiration from the Nike Air Max 98 Tidal Wave.
Inter
The Internazionale 2020-2021 third jersey takes its design from the Italy-exclusive Air Max 97 Silver Bullet.
Roma
AS Roma's 20-21 third kit is inspired by the classic Air Max 'Safari' - it is black and orange with a white / black Safari design on both sides.
PSG
The PSG 20-21 third jersey is inspired by the Air Jordan 11 "Red Velvet".
Galatasaray
The Galatasaray 20-21 third kit is inspired by the Nike Air Max Tn "Ultra Tiger" with its trademark red-to-yellow gradient design.
RB Leipzig
Nike's new team to get a third kit is RB Leipzig, whose 2020-2021 third shirt is roughly inspired by the Air Max 98. In fact, there's a 'white / deep royal blue / total orange' colorway that's similar to Leipzig's 3rd jersey.
Which is your favorite Nike 2020-21 third kit? What do you think about Nike looking back to its iconic Air Max sneakers for the 20-21 third kits? Comment below, and check out the Kit Overview for all leaks.
BG Pathum United 26-27 20th Anniversary Kit Released
Thai League side BG Pathum United have officially released a special 20th anniversary kit for the 26-27 season. Produced by Nike and launched under the club's "Side by Side" campaign, the commemorative shirt celebrates two decades since the team was originally founded in 2006 as Bangkok Glass FC, reviving the historic green color from the club's early years.
The Nike BGPU 26-27 20th anniversary shirt combines a vibrant green base with contrasting black accents on the crew neck collar and sleeve cuffs, flanked by white side panels. It features clean monochrome white applications throughout, including the club crest, the Nike Swoosh, and the front sponsor. Two variations of the jersey are available: the domestic Thai League version featuring Leo branding on the chest, and an AFC Champions League Two version with Singha Corporation and a Thai flag detail on the sleeve.
White shorts and white socks complete the throwback look. The BG Pathum United 26-27 20th anniversary kit is now on sale through the club's official online shop and at the BGPU Mega Store, priced at 999 THB for the standalone jersey. The club has also made a limited "Side by Side" collector's boxset available for 2,000 THB, containing two shirts, two commemorative scarves, and a sticker sheet.
Special Rayados 'Legado 86' Commemorative Kit Released
Mexican side CF Monterrey and Puma have officially unveiled a special commemorative jersey, titled the Jersey Legado 86. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Monterrey's first-ever Liga MX league championship won in the Mexico 1986 tournament, the commemorative shirt made its on-pitch debut during their 26-27 Liga MX match against Cruz Azul.
The shirt's defining characteristic is the substitution of the modern club crest with the classic 1986 retro emblem, which showcases the historic mountain silhouette, vintage football, and classic club lettering. Puma positioned their red cat logo and the retro crest to replicate the arrangement seen on the original 1986 jersey, while modern club partners such as BBVA and Codere are incorporated across the traditional navy and white stripes.
Several bespoke detailing elements complete the design, including a star graphic with the number 86 printed inside the collar and the current Rayados crest positioned on the nape of the neck. Released in a limited run of 1,986 pieces, the collector's item pays homage to one of the most celebrated moments in the club's history.
FC Kaiserslautern 26-27 Special Kit Released
Bundesliga 2 side 1. FC Kaiserslautern have officially unveiled their special 2026-27 'Herz der Pfalz' (Heart of the Palatinate) kit. Made by Castore, the shirt debuted against Eintracht Braunschweig and celebrates the region's wine culture and late-summer wine festivals.
The special shirt features a light beige base with a darker stylized grapevine pattern, while Bordeaux-red details appear on the collar, cuffs and monochrome Castore and FCK logos. The 'Herz der Pfalz' wording is placed on the upper back, with additional lettering inside the collar.
What do you think of the new 1. FC Kaiserslautern 2026-27 special kit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Various Argentine Clubs To Switch Kit Supplier
Following latest reports from Argentine kit expert Marca de Gol, various Argentine clubs are expected to change kit supplier for the upcoming 2027 season.
Notably, four top flight sides could already be on their way to partner with local brand Atomik: Vélez Sársfield, Atlético Talleres, Gimnasia La Plata and Atlético Tucumán. On the other hand, Italian brand Givova are seemingly losing two teams - Gimnasia as mentioned above and Atlético Unión to Fiume Sports.
Which of these supplier change do you look forward the most? Let us know in the comments.
Puma Kit Durability Questioned Again as Julian Ryerson Suffers Ripped Shorts
Borussia Dortmund full-back Julian Ryerson suffered an unusual kit malfunction during BVB's 1-0 Bundesliga victory against VfB Stuttgart. Midway through the second half, the Norwegian international engaged in a physical duel with Stuttgart winger Jamie Leweling. As Leweling fell to the turf, he grabbed hold of Ryerson's shorts, completely tearing the outer seam apart and leaving the fabric hanging loose.
Ryerson initially attempted to carry on playing by knotting the shredded material at his hip. After repeatedly signaling toward the bench that the damaged kit could not hold up, he eventually made his way to the sideline. Second-choice goalkeeper Alexander Meyer rushed over to hand him a fresh pair, resulting in a brief moment where Ryerson was left in his base-layer yellow undershorts before donning the replacement gear and re-entering the pitch.
The incident has brought Puma's kit durability back under scrutiny. The German brand constructs its authentic elite kits using lightweight Ultraweave performance fabric, prioritizing minimal weight and high breathability. However, the delicate material has repeatedly faced criticism among supporters after tearing in high-intensity tussles, with Ryerson's mishap marking another visible tear on the Bundesliga stage this 26-27 season.